[[Read the memo~!!~]]
I grinned at my friend, shaking my head. She always was the insane one of our group. "Kurisa, don't do that!" I hissed, giggling with her. She quirked a brow at me, her gold eyes sparkling with laughter. She brushed a stray strand of gold, curly hair behind her ear and giggled softly. "I don't know you."
"Yeah, you do. We all know Kurisa," another one of our friends grinned. Her name was Sayukasa, and she was basically the leader of our group. She took no crap from anyone and made sure that we didn't get ourselves into huge trouble. She was protective of us, so if anyone ever hurt us, she would want to find them and make sure they knew not to mess with her 'kids.' That usually resulted in them never coming near us again.
"You may, but I don't!" I sighed, turning around.
"Awwwwe, I lurve you, Ami-chan!" Kurisa exclaimed, glomping me.
"Stop, Ms. Shanito is coming over here!" I hissed, hitting her. She giggled and fell back into her seat on the bleacher behind me.
"Look who's with her. Prince Yuuuuuuuuuuukiiiiiiiiiiiii!" Sayukasa grinned. Hey, she wasn't always in protective mode. She had her times where she liked to tease me. Which was all the time. I blushed softly, glaring at her.
"I don't care if he's with her," I muttered. As the two got closer, Kurisa made her way to sit next to me and elbowed me. I glared at her briefly before looking up at Ms. Shanito as she stopped in front of me.
"Takashi-sama, I was hoping you and your friends had gotten better control over how you acted, but it's obvious that you haven't," Ms. Shanito sighed. She then cleared her throat. "Now, if you had been listening, you would've known that one of our teachers wants to speak with you and Sohma-sama. Now, if you will, head to classroom 5-C with Sohma-sama."
"Moushiwake arimasen, Shanito-sensei," I responded to her. There was no use in telling her anything else. When the woman walked away, Yuki stayed standing there.
"Gomennasai, Ami-chan," Kurisa murmured, giving me a one-armed hug. "I shouldn't have been goofing off."
"It doesn't matter. What happened, happened. Can't make anymore problems," I shrugged, standing and walking off. I gave them a half-hearted wave as the two of us left the gymnasium.
"You and your friends have a good deal to make up with, don't you? Is it possible to start being a bit more mature?" Yuki questioned. This comment stung me.
"I'm sorry... Did you suddenly become Ms. Shanito?" I asked. His lilac eyes snapped to me, a bit of coldness in them. "You know, Sohma-sama, ever since Tohru-chan left, you've been an asshole. You've even lost all your fan girls' appreciation. Your fan club consists of no one. And all of your cousins are gone. What happened to them?"
At this Yuki stopped in his tracks. His eyes pierced through me. "That is none of your business," he growled.
"Really? 'Cause it's been spreading around the school that Tohru and Kyo-kun got together, and the Sohmas all left because they decided to move back into the main house. Is that why you've become so cold? Is that why you shut people out more-so than you did before?" I inquired. He didn't answer me, but his eyes said it all. His walls crumbled, and he abruptly turned away from me and kept walking. I ran to catch up to him and walked beside him, not failing to notice that he had some teardrops on his tie. "Gome-"
"I don't need your apology, Takashi. You think you've got it all figured out. But you don't. Can you answer this: am I in pain, lonely?" Yuki asked vehemently, whirling his head around. His eyes were full of fury now, his walls back up. "Can you?!" I couldn't tell myself to move, nothing. Yuki Sohma had never yelled at anyone before. I took in a struggled breath. My eyes burned slightly. He took deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. "You go and address people without thinking about how they'll react."
"You started it with your immaturity comment. Do you just work your little web to find ways to get to me? The other day, you were getting onto my friends for something you wouldn't have done before. Look, I know Tohru pretty much hurt you, maybe even killed you inside, but that doesn't give you the right to going and getting upset with every girl in sight. We aren't all like Tohru! We aren't all innocent people! She had it bad, yes, but you can't believe that other people don't have it worse!" I yelled. We were attracting attention of people in classes now.
"Really?! How do you have it so bad, Ami Takashi? Enlighten me," Yuki whispered angrily.
"I have no family at all but my little sister, and right now she's in the hospital. Kurisa's parents are paying for me to be able to go here while I work my ass off to keep my sister in the hospital, so she can get better! My dad used to beat me when I was younger, and when my mom finally found out, he started beating her instead of me. When my little sister was born, I took care of her while my dad made it impossible for my mom to care for her. When we finally got my dad put in jail, my mom found out that he had caused her internal bleeding, and we couldn't do anything about it. She ended up dying without anyone knowing, and my dad died in jail. My grandparents had already died, and that left me to care for my little sister because we moved out of our home. We had friends here but didn't stay with them. We stayed on the streets in the winter season, so we could keep my mother's death hidden. We stayed on those streets until I could afford to buy a place for us both to stay. I've become emotionally unstable since we started living on our own for reasons I don't want to announce to the whole world, and being able to go to this school is the only thing that's keeping me going! People do have it worse than Tohru Honda, Sohma-sama, and you're going to have to learn that. Stop feeling sorry for yourself because they left! Find a way to deal with it! Because I can assure you, I've had to deal with a lot more than you! And if you want to argue that, then go to Hell!" I yelled, the tears I had been struggling to hold back falling freely now. My screaming had even gotten the people from the gymnasium into the hallways. And though people had seen me crying before, I was never one to yell, not like this, and it just struck home. And I ran. I ran like the weak child I was.
I didn't return to school for a few days. Instead, I stayed with my sister in her hospital room, praying to God that she'd wake up. I had caused a raucous at the school, and I knew that when I finally went back, they'd be upset with me. But I didn't care. I couldn't get my thoughts straight. I was slowly dying inside. I had yelled at him. I had hurt him. He had hurt me first, though. I couldn't go on thinking that maybe he was just joking when he said that. Who was I kidding? He had meant every single word. And he could rot in Hell for all I cared. "Who am I trying to fool? I can't stand even thinking about him being in any physical or emotional pain. And he probably hates me now. I like him, but he hates me," I stated aloud, letting my head fall back against the stone wall.
I decided to go back to school after a week was up. I was greeted warmly by Kurisa and Sayukasa. "What the hell did you think you were doing?! We tried to get into the hospital room your sister was in, but you had locked the door!" Sayukasa exclaimed, hitting me over the head.
"Sayukasa!" Kurisa hissed. I stared intently at the ground. "Uhm, Ami-chan, there's something we think you need to see." I blinked, looking up at Kurisa. She softly took a hold of my wrist and tugged on my arm to make me follow her. I just walked after her, feeling like a dog on a leash. She lead me to our usual classroom, where everyone was seated, looking at the teacher, who was counting out money. I looked at Kurisa questioningly.
"AMI-CHAN'S BACK!" a girl exclaimed, jumping up. When every head in the class turned to look at me, I blushed deeply. I was a naturally shy person, but when my friends were goofing off, I kind of lost that shyness. Of course, it was all seriousness in the room, and it was astonishing to have all the girls in our class rush over to hug me. The guys just kind of waved from their seats.
"Takashi-sama, you look horrible," Ms. Kasuta stated. Worry was etched into her face. I couldn't keep looking at her, so I cast my eyes to the floor.
"Moushiwake arimasen, Kasuta-sensei," I murmured.
"For what, Takashi-sama?" Ms. Kasuta asked, confused.
"For just running off. And I'm sure I caused problems, and well, I'm just sorry," I mumbled, shuffling my feet.
"Well, you did cause some problems, but they were all able to be fixed. And Miss Kurisa and Sayukasa started a fund. It's to help you with apartment payments and for groceries," Ms. Kasuta smiled weakly.
My cheeks started burning, and my head shot up. "Iie! I can't take money from everyone!" I objected.
"We thought you'd say that," Kurisa sighed.
"Then why'd you even try to do it?!" I exclaimed.
"Because we're forcing you to," Sayukasa responded, a smile tugging at her lips.
"Yep. Even if we have to take the money and buy the groceries for you, which wouldn't be too wise," Kurisa grinned.
"I know that. The two of you would buy cakes and ice cream and all this junk food that I wouldn't eat," I sighed, lips twitching from wanting to smile.
"Exactly!" Kurisa giggled. This got some laughs throughout the room.
"Alright, now, who wants to stay in here and have class?" Ms. Kasuta asked. Several students just stared at her. No one raised their hands. "That's what I thought would happen."
"Well, Kasuta-sensei, you said that when she came back, we could get all of the party supplies from the staffroom that everyone brought in!" a random boy exclaimed.
"Oh, that's right! It must've slipped my mind!" Ms. Kasuta grinned. I blinked, staring at her.
"P-p-party?" I stammered.
"Yes, party. We're even inviting the upper classmen," a girl nodded. She was obviously excited.
No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Upper classmen, no! That meant Yuki Sohma was going to be in the same room as me. "Alright, everyone, we have only two class periods to go to the park, have the party, and get back. I say we hurry," Sayukasa stated. Everyone nodded, jumped up, and started making their way down the hallway. "The three of us will go get the upper classmen."
"Iie! I refuse to do that, Sayukasa!" I hissed, but she grabbed my arm and dragged me along anyways. "Sayukasa Dorene Hisoti, you let go of me this in-"
"Uhm, everyone, we've got an announcement to make," Kurisa's voice cut loud and clear over mine. Everyone in the room fell silent. Sayukasa pushed me in front of her. I hit Kurisa, who stumbled, catching herself.
"Guess who's baaaaaaaaack!" Sayukasa exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear as Kurisa moved out of the way and allowed everyone to see me.
"Genki desu ka?" I asked softly, but everyone heard. My face must've been the millionth shade of red by now. I didn't allow myself to look near the windows. I knew that was where Yuki sat.
"We're all doing well," a girl finally responded.
"Don't look, now, but Yuki's looking at you," Kurisa whispered in my ear.
"I wasn't planning on it," I responded quietly. She let out an annoyed sigh.
"You'd find the way he's looking at you interesting," Sayukasa sighed in my other ear. I still didn't look.
"Well, are we having a party or not?" Kurisa questioned. This got the kids to stand. "You, too, sensei."
"He's looking at you again," Kurisa giggled softly.
"Will you stop?!" I asked, blushing intensely.
"Teehee, you're such a cute, small teenager," Kurisa grinned.
"Ugh, of all times for Sayukasa to go and hang out with that stupid boy!" I sighed in annoyance, allowing my head to hit the trunk of a tree. Kurisa giggled quietly.
"Ah, you know I'm your favorite friend," Kurisa stated, playfully punching me. I kicked her in return.
"Sadly enough, you are. I know I'm not supposed to have favorites, but I've known you longer than Sayukasa, and I can trust you with things that she'll react horribly to. So, indeed, you are my favorite," I sighed.
"Awwwe, I am?!" Kurisa asked incredulously. She looked like she was about to cry. She then hugged me before giggling. "I think he's heading over here."
"Nani?!" I whispered.
"He is!" Kurisa giggled again. I felt my face start burning. "Moshi moshi, Sohma-kun!"
"Good morning, Kurisa-chan," Yuki responded softly, nicely. "Do you say moshi moshi to everyone?"
"Nope, just the cool people," Kurisa grinned. If I didn't want to believe it, I would've said Yuki laughed. "And it's Ri-chan."
"Oh, yes, excuse my mistake," Yuki responded. "Uhm, Miss Takashi, how is your imoutosan?"
"She's okay. She hasn't woken up yet, though," I replied quietly.
"I'm going to check on Sayukasa," Kurisa stated suddenly, getting up.
"I'm sorry about the other day. It was unc-" Yuki started.
"Don't apologize. I shouldn't have responded like that. It was just, well, things were getting worse with my sister, and I had just lost my job for no reason. And I guess I took it all out on you. I shouldn't have, and I'm sorry," I interrupted him.
"Well, I guess I started it when I kept on getting onto you and your friends. You know, you and Tohru are a lot alike. And Uo and Hana both treated Tohru like Kurisa and Sayukasa treat you. I guess I just needed someone to lash out at myself. You got upset for a good reason. My reason was... selfish. I was doing it to try and relieve some of my pain that I had gotten from others," Yuki mumbled. I looked up at him. He looked sad, pathetic. I lightly kicked him with my foot and motioned for him to sit down. He smiled somewhat and sat.
"You know, it's odd. Just one week ago, you and I were arguing and at each other's throats, basically, like we were trying to see who could slice the other one's throat open with words. And now, we're sitting here, having a pretty much civilized chat, and I'm learning that you call yourself selfish," I sighed after a few minutes of silence, a smile playing at my lips. "You think that you're the only one? Everyone's selfish in some way. Jeez, when I was younger, I bit a kid for trying to play with some of my toys. I felt horrible about it afterwards. And I apologized. They forgave me, but it was only because we were younger, and we didn't understand that it should've been a bit more difficult to forgive something like that. It seems so stupid now that I think back to it. And I change how I act. It's not easy forcing yourself to act like you're happy, to act as though everything's okay. Kurisa and Sayukasa ask me why I don't just act like I feel. No one knows it yet, but deep down I'm a bitter person.
"I know I'm bitter, but I can't change it. I can't show that I am, either. Everyone looks to me as though I'm the only one that can truly always be happy unless something horrible happens. And I can't be happy; that's my problem. I'm selfish in an abnormal way. If I truly acted like myself, I'd be an outcast. No one would want to talk to me, and they'd probably try and keep their distance. And that bothers me. A lot. I hate it that I can't be myself around people, that I have to deceive them. And I'm not too fond of the male species," I paused, laughing softly. "Not since my father started abusing me. And from seeing people on the streets... Goodness, it's just so difficult. I've told myself over and over that one of these days, someone will change my mind, show me that they aren't all the same, that there are a bunch of good people out there. But no one has, and I'm beginning to lose hope. Then, there's also the fact that I don't think I'll ever love someone that will love me back... but that's on a different subject, and I don't really want to go there."
"I'd rather not go there, either," Yuki replied, and I looked at him again. He was looking at me speculatively, as if trying to read me. "And you aren't alone in your facade. I'm pretty much like that, too, though no one knows about it."
"Ah, but you have a reputation to uphold. You're Prince Yuki, and he just must be decent and swooned over at all times," I pointed out, laughing somewhat.
"Not everyone swoons over me," Yuki responded.
"Like whom?" I challenged.
"Your friends," he answered, like it was so simple.
"Ha! You'd love to think that, wouldn't you?" I inquired, raising my eyebrows. "They swoon over you at times, though they refuse to admit it." He moved himself to where he was sitting next to me, his back against the trunk of the tree as well.
"You," he replied. I couldn't bring myself to deny it. I didn't swoon over him, but I liked him. There was a difference, wasn't there? "See, not everyone swoons."
"I'm an exception., though. I dislike the male species at the moment, remember?" I retorted, grinning.
"Le-gasp! Is there some flirting going on between the sworn enemies?" Kurisa asked, finally having returned with Sayukasa.
"Ha ha ha, you think you're sooo funny, don't ya, Risa?" I stated, glaring slightly. "And since when were we sworn enemies?"
"That's what everyone's been calling the two of you since your argument a week ago," Sayukasa answered.
"Oh," I replied. Then, we all laughed quietly before the teachers called us to leave.
"So, how was the talk with Yuki?" Kurisa asked me as we walked to the hospital that day. Sayukasa had to go home and watch her little brother and sister.
"It was okay; why?" I answered.
"Just wondering," Kurisa replied.
"Oh, he knows you and Sayukasa swoon over him sometimes," I stated offhandedly.
"You didn't!" Kurisa exclaimed. "Oh my gosh, that's so embarrassing! I won't be able to talk to him now."
"Suits me," I shrugged. She hit me lightly. "Just kidding. But you can still talk to him. I'm sure it won't phase him a bit."
"Well, you know, it's a bit embarrassing when you, the one that likes him uberly, don't swoon," Kurisa sighed.
"I find no need in swooning. Sure, he's cute, but he also has this bit of elegance about him, and he's polite, and so... breakable," I explained.
"Gushing," Kurisa cooed. I blushed softly and looked away from her. "You know the two of you would be adorable together." This made my blush worse.
"You know, you don't have to come with me. I'm just going to check up on her and go home after a little bit," I explained.
"Call me when you get home, then," Kurisa smiled. I nodded before she walked on past the hospital, and I walked inside it.
When I got to the normal room, I walked in and went over to the bed. She looked like me, just smaller and with longer hair. We both had pale skin with dark blue hair the color of the sky at midnight. And though you couldn't see hers, our eyes were both oceanic blue. A sad smile made its way to my lips as I stroked her hair. It had been three months since she had gotten sick. And I was beginning to lose hope that she would wake up.
I was frightened as I heard the ring. Once. Twice. Thr- "Hello?" I didn't know why I was doing this. But something in the way Ami's eyes looked when she spoke about her sister made me concerned.
I took a deep breath, "Hey, Hatori, it's Yuki."
"Yes?" the male asked after a moment.
"Look, I know you have a lot to do, but do you think that you could go by the hospital sometime next week and ask to go and visit a little girl with the last name Takashi?" I was afraid.
"And what do you want me to do, Yuki?" Hatori replied.
"Can you see what's wrong with her? She's been out for three months, and nothing they are doing is helping her. I was just hoping that you could check and see if their diagnosis is correct," I forced the words out.
"How old is she?" Hatori questioned.
"Twelve."
"How do you know about her?"
"She's the little sister of a girl from school."
"Getting yourself attached again, Yuki?" Hatori's voice was full of warning.
"It's not like that," I responded.
"Who are you talking to?" another male's voice asked. Shigure.
"Yuki." That was Hatori.
"Oh, Yuki-kun, how are you?!" Shigure exclaimed close to the phone. I could imagine Hatori pushing him away.
"Like I said, are you getting attached?" Hatori asked again.
"I already told you it isn't like that. She's just going through a lot right now. Ami is just too young to be dealing with all of this. She's working hard to pay to live in an apartment and to keep her sister in the hospital. One of her friend's parents is paying for her schooling, and she's lucky enough to be able to buy groceries and pay bills. The kids at school are giving money to the teachers to help her. I'm just asking for you to check up on her little sister and see if the diagnosis is correct. Just try to help her out." I breathed in. "Please." This got his attention.
"Alright. But if there isn't anything I can do to help the girl, don't get disappointed. I'll drop in next week," Hatori gave in. Before anything else could be said, he hung up.
I massaged my temple as I placed the phone on the receiver and walked into the living room. "What am I doing?" I groaned. "Why am I so intent on helping her?" And I knew the answer, just didn't want to admit it.
About a week had passed since the day I spoke to Yuki like I would a close friend. We spoke somewhat, but it wasn't anything as trusting as last week. "Ami, I don't think you should go to the hospital today. You look so tired," Kurisa sighed as we walked towards the hospital again.
"I have to check up on her. I'll go straight home afterwards. I'll call you when I get there," I told her, waving as we departed. When I opened the door to my sister's room, I stopped short, the door closing behind me. An older male stood next to her bed, dressed in a white, collared shirt and black dress pants. He had black hair from what I could see. I held my backpack in my right hand, ready to swing at him if it came to that. "Who are you?"
The male straightened and turned around. His eyes were gray, his left eye covered with his hair. "Ah, you must be Ami Takashi. It's nice to meet you," the male stated quietly.
"Who are you? Why are you here?" I inquired, watching him closely. He took a step nearer, and I swung my backpack in front of me. He stopped short. "Don't make me ask a third time."
"I am Hatori Sohma. Yuki sent me," the male replied. "I'm the family doctor."
"I don't ca- wait, Yuki sent you?" I asked, blinking, my brows furrowed in confusion.
"Yes, Yuki sent me to check on your little sister. And let me tell you, the doctors at this hospital have the diagnosis pretty far off. None of the medications she's been getting are correct," Hatori explained. I stared at him blankly. Then, I gulped. "I might be able to help her, but I don't have the medications with me. And those people surely will not let me have the medications from here, so if you want me to help her, you need to wait here. I should be able to get back in half an hour. Will you do that?" I didn't know what my answer was, but I responded without my brain. I nodded my head. Hatori looked at me for a moment before turning and leaving. A realization hit me, and I dropped my backpack and ran from the room, in search of a payphone. When I found one, I called Kurisa.
"Hello?" she answered after the second ring. She sounded out of breath.
"Hey, there's something odd going on here," I told her.
"What're you talking about? Wait, are you still at the hospital?" Kurisa asked me.
"Yeah. Look, when I walked into my sister's room today, there was a man in there. He had black hair and gray eyes, and I asked him who he was and why he was there. He said his name was Hatori Sohma and that he was the family doctor," I started.
"You don't have a family doctor," Kurisa stated.
"His last name was Sohma. And he said that Yuki had sent him," I finished.
"NANI?! Yuki sent his family doctor to check on your sister?!" Kurisa yelled.
"That's what he said," I replied.
"I'm coming to the hospital. I'll be there in 10 tops," Kurisa stated, hanging up before I could object.
"Oh good, you stayed. Sorry about the delay, but I got caught up by Hatsuharu, and he says hello," Hatori apologized as he walked in. I nudged Kurisa, and she giggled. She used to have a huge crush on Hatsuharu when he was still at our school. I think she still does.
"Uhm, Sohma-sama, this is my friend Kurisa," I told him quickly, and he nodded to her. Hatori had a huge briefcase with him this time. When he opened it, I felt my eyes burn. My sister and I never liked needles. And I hated that she had to be injected. Hatori went around on both sides and unhooked the medications that were flowing into her.
"Now, I'm going to be coming back in the mornings and injecting her with more, not too much, but enough to cancel out the dosage of medicine she's had and to help her. Give her a few days, and she should wake up," Hatori explained. I nodded meekly and watched as he wiped the needle down with an alcoholic pad before also wiping the spot where he would place the needle. I couldn't watch as he poked the needle into her arm and pressed on the end to let the medicine flow into her body. "Meanwhile, I'd suggest you go home and get some rest. I don't want you coming in here the next two days, understand? Come in on Monday after school." I nodded again. "Okay, well, I will probably be seeing you again sometime soon. It was nice to meet you Ami Takashi, and you, too, Kurisa-chan."
Kurisa escorted me to her house, even with my protests. "This is the only way I can be sure you do what he asks. I'm sure he's telling you that, so you don't have to worry about seeing him injecting her with medicine. I just wonder what he's going to do with the medicine that he unattached."
"They don't check it," I murmured. "The last time she was down on medicine, I had to tell them." And silence fell.
On Monday I was eager to see my sister. Never had I been told I wasn't allowed to see her. I had gotten out of school late because a teacher had wanted to speak to me, obviously unaware that I was in a hurry. So when I got close to her room, I ran, not paying attention to the two people already in there. "Ami!!" the little girl called, giggling before yawning.
"Sooki! You're awake!" I dropped my bag before running to the girl and hugging her. "You're finally awake," I sighed, tears forming.
"The clerk told me you did as I asked," Hatori's voice stated in the sudden silence. I froze, turning around and looking at the male. Sniffling softly, I wiped the tears from my eyes, which didn't help much since more took their place. I wanted to hug him, but I refrained from doing so. One reason was because I didn't know him that well. But the second and main reason was because something told me it wouldn't be the best thing to do.
"Hello, Takashi-sama," another familiar voice greeted. I looked over to Hatori's left a little and saw Yuki standing in front of a chair. I felt my tears come down a bit harder.
"I need to get back to the main house. Try to be quiet. She's been awake for a while and just went back to sleep," Hatori cautioned before looking at Yuki and leaving.
I couldn't stop the tears that fell, and I found a place to sit down. "Are you all right, Takashi-sama?" Yuki questioned, walking towards me.
"Th-th-thank," I hiccupped, "you." I couldn't stop the tears no matter how hard I tried and started sniffling.
"Hey, calm down. Take deep breaths, Tak-"
"D-d-don't. J-just c-c-c-call me," I gave another hiccup, "Ami-chan." He seemed a bit taken aback but nodded.
"Just, take deep breaths, Ami-chan," Yuki murmured, taking a hold of my hand and rubbing his thumb over the top of it subconsciously. After a few more minutes, I calmed down, only sniffling now. He still had my hand.
"Goh. I want to hug you, but I know I can't," I sniffled. He blinked. "I'm just so happy that she's awake, and if it hadn't been for you, I don't know if she would have." A few stray tears left my eyes at this, and he softly wiped them away after he released my hand. I blushed as a shock went through me at the slight touch. His lilac eyes held my oceanic blue ones, and my heart started going into overtime.
I knew I shouldn't be doing it, but I couldn't stop myself as I leaned in towards her. I could hear her heart beating faster by every inch that I got closer. I pretty much hesitated when I was only a centimeter away, and she closed the gap. It was a soft, sweet kiss but addicting never-the-less. I felt a sudden pang of sadness because I couldn't hug her. And when her arms started to move, I almost tensed until I felt her fingers entwining with mine. Pulling back from her after a quick moment, I looked at her. My pulse was in overdrive, and she giggled softly. "If I can hear yours, then you can most definitely hear mine," Ami murmured, letting her forehead rest against mine.
"Last week you said you didn't swoon," I whispered. "When you said that, I had to force myself to act normal."
"I don't swoon. But just because I don't swoon, doesn't mean I don't like you. Because I do like you. A lot," she replied, her eyes showing all sincerity.
At the word like another pang of sadness went through me. Of course she only liked me. It would be impossible to have any more feelings towards me. I only liked her back. But why did this realization hurt me so much?
Seeing his saddened eyes made me feel horrible. Had I said something wrong? "Sohm-"
"No. Don't call me by my last name," he objected.
"O-okay," I replied quietly. "Yuki-kun, did I say something wrong?"
"No, no. You didn't. I just realized that I need to go, though. You should go home and get some sleep. They'll allow you to take Sooki-chan with you tomorrow," Yuki answered. I gave a firm nod. He gave me a light kiss on the forehead and left.
"Ami, I made friends with an older boy!" Sooki yelled as she ran towards me. "He's really nice and can speak German! Come on, I want you to meet him!" she exclaimed, grabbing my hand and pulling me along with her.
"Hey, Sooki, I've been sitting in that spot forever, and I'm numb from coldness. Chill on the hyper mode," I laughed. She just stuck her tongue out at me and kept on running. By the time we got there, and she had let go of my hand, I wasn't numb anymore.
"Heeey, I know you!" a boy exclaimed. I whipped my head up and grinned at the blonde boy.
"Momiji-kun!" I laughed. "What're you doing here? Are you alone?"
"Well, I came to stay with Yuki for some of the Winter Holiday since school is out. And he brought me here since it's not too far away. Ummm, he's around here somewhere," Momiji stated, looking around him.
"Enjoying the snow?" I asked, trying to get his attention off of Yuki.
"Oh, yeah! I've always loved the snow!" Momiji exclaimed. "Hey, when snow melts, what does it become? Hatori wanted me to ask you that if we saw you."
I blinked, cocking my head to the side with a smile. "Spring, of course!" I answered.
"Alright, I'll tell him you said that. Hey, Sooki, let's go look for Yuki!" Momiji exclaimed, grabbing the girl's hand softly. I noticed she blushed somewhat before nodding as they took off.
"Agh, where'd he run off to?" a boy asked.
"He and Sooki went looking for you, Sohma-kun," I answered, turning to look at him. "Long time no see."
"Yeah, I guess it has been since school's been hammering on us for exams," Yuki replied. It was a bit awkward to be standing there and talking to him.
"Hey, you found him!" Momiji's voice suddenly yelled as he came back into view.
"Actually, he found me," I answered.
"Either way, it's time for us to go," Yuki sighed.
"Awwwe, but I want to play some more with Sooki! Can't they come to the house with us?! Please?!" Momiji begged.
Yuki let out a stressed sigh. "If it's okay with, Takashi-sama," he answered.
"Can we, Ami?! Oh, can we?!" Sooki now pleaded. I sighed with a nod. "Yay!" And the two kids started running ahead of us, heading towards the place where Yuki stayed.
"Gosh, I've missed Momiji. Class isn't as fun with him and Haru gone," I grinned, looking at the snow. "Hey, Yuki, do you like the snow?"
"I guess I do. I've never really thought about it," he replied. "Do you?"
"Absolutely!" I replied, smiling. He laughed softly. I moved closer to him and slipped my mitten-covered hand into his. A blush tinted my cheeks and made them darker than the cold already had, and I felt his gaze on me. "You know, ever since the whole thing in that room, I've been sad."
"Why?" he asked, and I looked up at him.
"Because I lie-"
"Hey, Yuki, Ami, we've got hot chocolate made inside!" Momiji exclaimed from the porch, interrupting me. I looked at him and felt my eyes widen.
"You live here alone?" I gasped.
"Shigure pretty much demanded I live here. They're coming back, you know. Haru, Momiji, and Shigure. And even Kyo and Tohru," Yuki explained. I tensed at her name. "But it'll be a little different. Kyo and I won't be at each other's throats all the time. And I think I'll be okay with Tohru being around, even though it will be awkward." I removed my hand from his as we entered the house. I took off my mittens and my thick coat before sitting on the carpeted floor cross-legged. "Here." I blinked and looked up at Yuki. He was handing me a mug of hot chocolate. I smiled weakly and took it. He sat down next to me and unfolded a blanket before throwing one end over me and letting the other end sit on his lap.
After a few minutes of awkward silence, I sighed softly. "Look, like I was saying earlier, I've been sad. And I've been sad because I lied to you that day. Yuki, I... I don't like you. It's impossible to like you." I could feel his stare on me, and I opened my mouth to go on.
"I see," he replied, his voice cracked.
"Let me finish!" I exclaimed quietly. "I was afraid to tell you this in there, but I... I love you." I finished in a whisper.
"Ami-chan..." he mumbled. I set my mug down on the table and looked away from him. It was so difficult to tell him this. Because most of me knew that he still cared for Tohru. I blinked back tears as much as I could. The silence prolonging was killing me. I felt cold fingers touch my chin as he cupped it and turned my head to face him. My heart gave a jolt as I looked at his eyes. So lovely. So soft. So caring. So... loving. "I love you, too," he whispered before he pressed his lips against mine, almost desperately. And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop myself from wrapping my arms around his neck. He tensed, and... nothing happened. Then, he pulled away. I squeaked softly when he pulled me into his lap and wrapped his arms around my waist. I looked at him curiously. With a soft smile he whispered, "True love conquers all." Then, he kissed me again.
For important information go to the results. ^~^
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T_T This picture made me cry. And I thought it suited. [[On another note.]]Message if you have a request. The next one SHOULD be either a Kankuro or a Neji story, and shall be dedicated to KibasKitten since she requested it. Nya~!!~ Hope ya liked it RavenclawChicka! ^~^
