Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Musouka ~ Dare to Dream ❯ Roar of a Proud Lion ( Chapter 23 )

Chapter Twenty-Three

 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

 

Sierra Sohma - Year 1918 The Horse

 

Roar of a Proud Lion

 

“Another school day come and gone,” he said to himself as he walked down the pathway, his dirty-blond hair was up in a ponytail and his bangs were split and became longer as it grew closer to his ears. His eyes were a dark black with a ring of gold lining the pupils. He was wearing the Tsukiikuei Junior High school uniform for boys, which consisted of a white collared shirt with a red tie and black shorts that lasted to the knee. His school shoes were brown, and much to his disgust, had to wear socks above his ankles.

 

“Hey c'mon girly! Just because yer new ain't gonna mean we ain't gonna stop bugging you even if yer outta school!” It was a fellow classmate of his, Shiho Mogorahi. It was only Junior High and there was already a gang among the community, because of the new boy. So now that he's here, other boys have come into his game and do just about anything he does. Though, Yasashiku Sanotomono the Lion wasn't going to take this kind of behavior…

 

“Oh c'mon leave her alone,” Yasashiku said loudly as he rounded the corner and spoke. This made the boys jumped, next to Shiho, there were two other boys whom Yasashiku knew from class, but not personally. Yasashiku preferred to be around the girls, so he didn't have many guy friends.

 

“What `cha gonna do about it if we don't?” One of the boys, whom had a dirty brown hue hair that looked windblown and black eyes growled in question. Shiho himself just glared at Yasashiku, he himself honestly had no idea why.

 

“I don't know, if you charge at me maybe I'll make up my mind.” He replied, then he spotted the girl they were teasing. It was the new girl, well actually to him, she was a girl. Yasashiku never knew what changes took place around him as he went along with his business (a.k.a. flirting) and really never knew who was new or not as long as they were worth showing off to, which is what Yasashiku tended to do most of the time.

 

“If ya don't buzz off we might just do that!” The other boy growled, he had dark brown hair that was apparently messy but not dirty with brown eyes as well.

 

“Go ahead, I have nothing to lose but everything to gain.” Yasashiku replied, shrugging his shoulders. The girl, who was his age with strawberry red locks that ended in natural ringlets at the shoulders and a white ribbon behind her ears and bangs looked up at him with crystal-clear emerald diamonds of pure innocence and full of naïve sense. Yasashiku couldn't resist a girl obviously and winked at her, and in his irritation, she didn't seem to get the Que. She cocked her head a little before standing up with her books tucked into both arms. She wore the girl's uniform, which consisted of a white blouse with a black school cloth around her neck and a black skirt that was thigh-length. Her socks went up past her knees and her shoes were as well, brown.

 

“Drop it guys, it's only Sanotomono, he's not worth it.” Shiho finally spoke, his face blank.

 

“So you having fun teasing girls after school Mogorahi-kun? I heard you flipped Asuka's skirt today and ran down the hall screaming with her right on her heels. You should know better then to go after girls you don't know, that's what every boy knows. Know your kind of girl before you go flipping their skirt.” Yasashiku informed, this the girl seemed to get and giggled with her right hand at her chin.

 

“You think you're so smart Sanotomono, but just wait, one of these days I'll pound you.” Shiho hissed, raising a fist and shaking it angrily.

 

“I don't see why you don't try to do that now, besides, wouldn't you have tried it sooner, I mean, I'm in almost every class with you or are you too dense to even see me two desks across from you?” Yasashiku said with a smirk and another shrug, he closed his eyes and then put his hands in his pockets.

 

“You tryin' to say somethin'?” Shiho growled in question.

 

“Apparently you do have some brains, don't you get that if you charged at me now I'll disarm you of those two ragamuffins and beat you to a pulp?” Yasashiku asked, this made Shiho fume slightly, but his blank expression returned. The girl looked from one boy to the other, wondering whether to walk away.

 

“Don't even think about leaving, whoever wins this fight you go with!” Shiho threatened, noticing the girls baffled expression, not knowing the threat behind this the girl merely nodded and backed up a little. “Stay back Roku and Saupa!” The two boys hesitated, then backed away as well. Yasashiku still stood there as if frozen, but now his expression appeared agitated.

 

“Telling girls they're prizes…you're really are scum aren't you, the scum of the earth…but…” Yasashiku's voice was dark at first then brightened as his smirk came back on and his eyes opened. “You just offered a fight one cannot refused, but try not to ruin the uniform all right? My haha will go after me with a sledge hammer if I get it dirty again.” Yasashiku loosened his collar and tie with grin. The girl looked a little nervous, maybe she was getting the idea finally, after Yasashiku stated it!

 

“I like yer style man, maybe you are a bit more then trash tossed aside eh?” Shiho admitted as he stood still, his uniform was always loosened and looked as if it was attempting to slide off his slender frame. But his upper body was a threat, he was an early bloomer no doubt and was already developing well-attained muscles, but it was nothing Yasashiku had never dealt with before.

 

“If only you spent a bit more time in grammar class…such horrible fluency…” Yasashiku said clearly, loud enough for Shiho, Roku, Saupa, and the girl to hear. Roku and Saupa advanced with a growl but Shiho held them back, aggravated himself. The girl's legs itched to run in between the two, but too nervous to move either way.

 

“You got too quick a tongue on you filthy baka!” Shiho howled as he charged with the first fist raised, Yasashiku remained still with a smirk, and his eyes closed. When the girl was about to cry out Yasashiku grabbed the raised fist with his right and as if in slow motion, flung him over his shoulder and over him. The three watched as Shiho landed on his back a few feet a way.

 

“Yo Boss! Ya `kay?” Roku asked when Shiho shivered and tried to get up, Roku and Saupa ran over to him and gathered him up. As soon as he was on his feet though he pushed them aside and glared at Yasashiku, who returned the glare with a satisfied grin.

 

“You only won the battle Sanotomono! But I'll win the next!” Shiho growled and with that, he and his cronies fled. Yasashiku then returned his hands to his pockets (after tightening his tie and collar) he turned to face the girl, but instead, she was closer then he saw her before.

 

“Hey…! Don't you want to go home now or something? I know I have to with that project and all…” Yasashiku said, but the girl only inched closer. What was she? A kitten? She seemed to be more like one then a human girl.

 

“Thank you,” she said in the sweetest voice he had ever heard it was like a seven-year-old in a teen body. But when his golden stones made contact with her garden orbs, he was in a trance for a slight second, those eyes, they were so enchanting! They weren't like any other girl's eyes when they looked at him, more were bubbly and hyper but hers were innocent and welcoming.

 

“Oh! You're welcome, but it would be wise if I walked you home, you know, just in case they come back.” Yasashiku suggested.

 

“That would be kind of you,” the girl said sweetly with a smile.

 

“By the way, name's Yasashiku Sanotomono!” he said, his charm back in session.

 

“I know, the girls were practically fainted over saying it, I'm Myuu Kosanike.” The girl replied with a giggle, his grin widened as they began walking down the sidewalk.

 

“So Myuu-chan, were do you live?”

 

“Oh, not far from Shinomura Drive,”

 

“Wow really, my street is only a black away!”

 

“Hm…which one is it?”

 

“Yukika Street, think you can come over some time?”

 

“I think I can manage Yasa-kun,” He instantly loved the name ever since…

 

`I think I can manage Yasa-kun'…it's been a while…It has been two years since Myuu and Yasashiku met, and now they were freshman at Kaibara this term. He was wearing the new black uniform, which he was much fonder of then the uniform at Tsukiikuei Junior High school for the boys. And Myuu, who walked beside him in the new blue girls uniform walked happily next to him. She had never called him Yasa-kun since that day they met, and he longed to be called it again-by her.

 

Their parents had enough of the school they once went to and moved a few months ago and since then they have been attending Kaibara schools. It seemed that Shiho's gang began violating the neighborhood so in agreement, both parents packed up and moved to the Kaibara district, where they-by pure chance-became next-door neighbors, now Yasashiku could keep a closer eye on the girl.

 

They both have grown miraculously since those two years have passed. Yasashiku was now much taller then Myuu and had gained the ability to have a bulky appearance, though his muscles were stern and strong at the moment, they didn't look as if he was using steroids. His hair had grown longer now and his bangs sprung out longer and over his eyes. His hair was also still kept back into a ponytail, but tailed behind him to the length of his waist; it was hard to believe he was a freshman.

 

Myuu though, had grown just as much. Her strawberry locks and ringlets have grown down to her elbows and was kept back in a white headband now instead of a ribbon. Her frame was still slender and trim and her eyes had now become much narrower due to experience, but to Yasashiku knew her better, she was still the sweet and naïve girl he met two years ago.

 

“You seem nervous Yasashiku, why?” she asked politely, he still could have sworn a seven-year-old took over her body, but she could sense his feelings from across the Pacific Ocean. In truth, he knew he wasn't the only new Sanotomono at the school.

 

“My cousin has enrolled here, and she isn't really all that charming.” Yasashiku answered, just to be greeted by a smile.

 

“So why do you feel so stressed, she is a woman just like me.” She knew him all too well, over the past two years she had been confronted by guys and soon after, the guys would be ripped to shreds by Yasashiku's threats and then he would stomp through the hall dragging her along the way. Nonetheless, he hadn't been flirting so often as he used to, mostly because he was too busy keeping an eye on Myuu and because the girl population began to increase each day as if they were rabbits. So, he began keeping to himself, but he couldn't help but continue his smart alec ways-but everybody loved him, except the boys.

 

“She's not the friendly type,” Yasashiku answered with a sigh. “Sometimes I wish I could just go by myself in a school with no familial members.”

 

“Is she a problem to you?” Myuu asked, her eyes still shining brilliantly of innocence. How could it be that a girl with such a small family as herself not get his situation, her family tree was so small that she knew every one of relatives and ancestors history and life. But her great memory has gotten her into the honors department in school for as long as he had known her. It was a wonder how she ended up in a school like Tsukiikuei. She had what people would call a photographic memory and with all that, you would think she could stay out of trouble-even though she would never realize it-and Yasashiku ended up going after her and saving her hide.

 

“You could say that,”

 

“Oh Yasashiku, she can't be all that bad. After all, any cousin of yours is a cousin of mine.” Myuu said brightly as she hugged his right arm and walked a tad bit faster. He sighed silently, she would wish she would never had said that, or so he thought.

No way…Eriko thought angrily. It was morning and she just then put on her school uniform. Her skirt was uncomfortably high up, and she certainly didn't like flashing her legs. Kyo didn't seem to fond of the idea either when he came up to tell her it was time to go.

 

“Holy hell! You sure ain't wearin' that to school!” he screeched when he burst through her door, she suppressed a scream.

 

“You idiot! I could have been dressing for all you could've known!”

 

“Well! You weren't so take the damn thing off and put some other skirt on!”

 

“I would if I could Kyo!”

 

“And why not!”

 

“Because one! It's the only skirt I've got! And two! You're in here!” Eriko shouted back.

 

“Why would it matter if I was in here or not!”

 

“We're not that close Kyon!”

 

“What'd you call me!”

 

“Ah! Well then, it seems that Riku had gotten the best uniform in the house for you,” It was Shigure, he was standing at the doorframe with his arms folded into his sleeves.

 

“You know Riku…Sanotomono?” Eriko mumbled in question.

 

“Why yes, he stopped by last night to drop off your books and what you're wearing.” Shigure replied, reminding Kyo what he should have done seconds ago.

 

“GET OUTTA THE ROOM YOU IDIOT!” Kyo bellowed as he threw a fist at Shigure, he immediately jumped out of the way and closed the door, thus, Kyo slammed right through the shoji. Shigure was already walking down the stairs with Kyo in a frozen position of anger.

 

“That's coming out of your pocket Kyo!”

 

“It sure hell ain't!” Kyo roared back. Eriko just shook her head as she pulled her jacket on and buttoned it, then grabbed her thin bag that contained her books.

 

“Forget it Kyo, just hurry and put your jacket on and we'll go.” Eriko stated as she walked past Kyo.

 

“You ain't wearing that to school!”

 

“Why not? It's my body and I decide what I put on it,” Eriko replied.

 

“Because people will stare at you!”

 

“Should that bother you?”

 

“HELL YES!”

 

“Too bad, I'm not going to school without one on,” Eriko retorted, her eyes flashing dangerously from the bottom of the stairs.

 

“Now that is something I would never let you do!”

 

“Good, then I can rely on you to think things through, now let's go.” Eriko said as Kyo flew down the stairs and was behind her with his bag as well when he, Eriko, Yuki, and Tohru gathered at the door then with a good-bye to Shigure, left the house.

 

“Sure is chilly,” Tohru stated.

 

Well, it is January, Eriko thought.

 

“Would you like to wear my coat then Miss Honda?” Yuki asked, Eriko wondered if it occurred to Yuki whether she was already wearing one.

 

“Oh no, I'm fine, really.” Tohru said back, Kyo hissed through his clenched teeth.

 

“All right then, so? Where did you two go off to yesterday?” Yuki asked, looking up at Eriko and Kyo, who were in front of him.

 

“None of your damn business-”

 

“On a walk, nothing personal.” Eriko stated a bit more brightly.

 

“So did you see the stars last night? They were absolutely enchanting!” Tohru said happily. Eriko nodded.

 

We had a bit more of an enchanting night then what the stars could give us… Eriko thought. “We had a good time stargazing,”

 

“We did as well, though we didn't have much of a choice since Shigure kicked us out.” Yuki said.

 

“Why did he do that?” Eriko asked.

 

“Well, after you left Riku-san appeared with Kagura, he made Kagura go back with him to fetch Eriko's uniform since he had forgotten it-or what Shigure told us-and he sent us outside, so we ended up passing the time by looking up at the stars.” Yuki explained.

 

Saved by a guy I don't know… “What does this guy look like?” Kyo asked.

 

“Why? So you can thank him for saving your worthless hide from Kagura?” Yuki asked coldly.

 

“Why you-”

 

“He has black hair with two white stripes at the front.” Eriko answered.

 

“He had completely white hair last night,” Tohru mentioned.

 

It must have been Rikuhikari then…”Then it was Rikuhikari,” she looked back to see all their eyes looking at her in question. “Riku had multiple personalities.”

 

“That's interesting, besides Riku and Rikuhikari, who else is there?” Yuki asked.

 

“Rikuyami and Rikugenki,” she answered.

 

“For some reason I'm not sure whether an introduction would be necessary.” Yuki said.

 

“Good, because you wouldn't want one from those two. Riku and Rikuhikari are the only ones who can contain themselves, Rikuyami would have more pleasure teaching you the proper way of eating at a royal palace and Rikugenki reminds you of a chipper bunny-rabbit.” Eriko explained.

 

That's all we need to know then…to keep away from those people…Kyo and Yuki thought.

“Must have gotten her a little too early…” Yasashiku mumbled as he and Myuu stood at the front doors, the only thing that replied was the chilly breeze that shook the bare branches of the trees near them.

 

“Maybe we could wait in the auditorium,” Myuu suggested. Yasashiku then turned around and smiled brightly.

 

“Or play hooky and as an excuse say that we saw no one here!” Yasashiku suggested.

 

“But it's a Monday, people are suppose to be here.” She didn't get it…

 

“I was being sarcastic My,”

 

“Oh,” Then Myuu looked every which way, as if looking for someone, Yasashiku (not interested) looked boredly ahead of them as if trying to see whether anyone would come out of the air from somewhere and tell them what to do.

 

“HELLO! You must new students!” a happy little voice cried, they both jumped and Myuu paled.

 

“Who the-” Yasashiku froze when he turned around with his fist raised. It was a small blond boy, wearing a girl uniform. Yasashiku sweat-dropped.

 

“Konnichiwa! I'm Momiji Sohma! Welcome to Kaibara High School!” the boy cried happily.

 

“Shouldn't you be at the elementary school?” Yasashiku asked as he shifted back into a normal stance with his hands in his pocket.

 

“Ahhh! Not again! Well anyway-” Momiji cried, “I am now a Sophomore here!”

 

“You're awfully cute for a sophomore!” Myuu cried happily.

 

Yasashiku had no idea how to take this, his way of thinking of this kid would be:

 

Boy + Girls Uniform + 8 inches tall + Young kid

 

A boy in a girls uniform at least 8 inches tall that should be in elementary school!

 

“So how old are you then?” Yasashiku asked, expecting him to start counting his fingers, he cried-

 

“15! I'm turning 16 next week!” Momiji cried happily.

 

More like 15 inches tall… Yasashiku thought with a mental growl.

 

“By the way, my name is Myuu Kosanki. This is Yasashiku Sanotomono he's-”

 

“You're a Sanotomono?” a different voice asked, Yasashiku saw another guy approach them with white spiky hair with black roots. His collar was undone and Yasashiku sensed no uneasiness.

 

Strange kind of guy…does his school allow people to have white hair? Yasashiku wondered.

 

“Yeah, I'm a Sanotomono, name's Yasashiku,” he greeted with a grin.

 

“Nice to meet you, I am Hatsuharu Sohma. But as I was saying, we know your cousin. She and our cousins and Tohru should be here soon.” Haru explained.

 

“And the other students?” Myuu replied.

 

“There's only another hour till class starts.” Haru replied.

 

“…”

 

“So…we came her a little to early?” Yasashiku mumbled.

 

“Yep,”

 

“But that's good, so now we can get to know each other a little more! Hi! I'm Momiji Sohma of the Sohma family!” Momiji repeated.

 

“Introductions are over kid,”

 

“Don't call me kid!”

Eriko looked ahead at the school grounds twenty minutes later. Already her day looked pretty bad, her legs were numb and her cousin was up ahead of them. The only reason for coming here early was for Yuki to get ready for the new years. Eriko felt like going Tohru came to keep Yuki company, and Kyo came because Eriko was going-and to maim anyone who lays their eyes of her legs.

 

“Those are new years?” Kyo asked, surprised.

 

“They are new to the school,” Yuki replied, Kyo glared at him.

 

“I was just askin' `cause they look more like seniors to me-well, the guys does anyway…holy! Momiji and Haru are there as well! This cannot be happening!” Kyo cried out angrily, it attracted Momiji though.

 

“TOHRU! YUKI! ERIKO! KYO!” Momiji cried, jumping in front of the group, Kyo fell over.

 

“Where the hell did you come from!”

 

“From over there, the guy is Yasashiku Sanotomono and the girl is My-chan Kosanki!” Momiji answered, then he grabbed Tohru's hand. “Come on I'll introduce them to you!”

 

“Paws off ya runt!” Kyo roared bomping the Rabbit's head, he let go of Tohru though.

 

“Wah-h-h! Kyo's being mean!” Momiji whined.

 

“Serves you right for touching Tohru!” Kyo roared back.

 

“No it's all right Kyo really-y!”

 

“It seems that it'll be an interesting school term, but I better hurry, think you can deal with this?” Yuki asked, looking over at Eriko.

 

“I'll manage…somehow…” Eriko replied, sweat-dropping as the Cat hissed at the Rabbit.

 

“Those are the people I told you about,” Haru said.

 

“Some seem a little anxious…” Yasashiku replied sarcastically.

Ring! Ring!

 

“So that's how we met Yasashiku and My-chan!” Momiji said a few seconds after the bell rang. Yuki was still off helping with the new years, but it was still at least five more minutes till everyone had to be in his or her first classes.

 

“Seeing them and running up to them is an awesome story.” Eriko retorted with sarcasm, she was stuck in the same class with Tohru and Kyo for the first few bells; Yuki would be with them at lunch and then with them for the rest of the school day. Of course, they would also see Hatsuharu, Momiji, Yasashiku, and Myuu at lunch as well. But Tohru was hoping to introduce Uotani and Hanajima to her new friends as well.

 

“How are you doing Yasashiku?” Eriko suddenly asked, looking up at her younger cousin.

 

“I've been better,” Yasashiku answered dully.

 

“He's actually quite anxious, we ended up in every class together which is swell.” Myuu replied.

 

“Yo Tohru!”

 

“Oh Uo! How nice it is to see you again!” Tohru cried as a girl with blond hair over her right eye, and a blue skirt down to her knees hurried up to the Riceball.

 

“Sorry I couldn't be there for New Years.” The girl called Uo apologized as she then turned to the group.

 

“It's all right Uo, I had company again.” Tohru replied, that made Eriko feel a bit of jealousy. “Kyo and Yuki stayed with me again and we got to see the horizon together.”

 

`We got to see the horizon together'…he still likes her… Eriko mentally admitted, but she didn't feel that she believed that. They loved each other, from what the kiss told her last night, she could only guess that he had the same feelings she had for him.

 

“Say! Who are the newbies?” Uo asked.

 

“Why doncha be polite for once and introduce yourself first!” Kyo spat out.

 

“You have a good point there Carrottop (Kyo: Shut up you damn Yankee!) I'm Arisa Unotani, you can call me Uo if you want, so who are you three?” Uo asked, pointing at the two cousins and Myuu.

 

“That's Yasashiku Sanotomono, she's Myuu Kosanki, and as for myself, Eriko Sanotomono.” Eriko replied.

 

“So you two are older brother and younger sister?” Uo asked.

 

“Nah, we're cousins, and she's older then me.” Yasashiku replied.

 

“Whoa really! So the Sohmas aren't the only weird ones eh?”

 

“Who ya callin' weird!” Kyo growled.

 

“She is right you know,” Haru pointed out.

 

“WHO ASKED YOU!”

 

“All right guys, we better get to class if we want to see one another at lunch.” Tohru announced.

 

“Yeah, we better, last year our teacher got mad-and was yelling as if he was trying to be louder then a thunder storm.” Haru replied. “Come on Momiji,”

 

“Okay, bye bye!” Momiji said, following Haru.

 

“We'll get lost too, see ya all at lunch.” Yasashiku said as he and Myuu walked away from the group as well.

 

“Tohru?” Eriko said.

 

“Yes?”

 

“Wasn't there another friend of yours? Hanajima?” Eriko pointed out.

 

“Oh yeah, wonder where she is…she said she would meet us somewhere before class started-”

 

“I'm here,” Eriko nearly jumped out of her skin when a girl with a blank expression, dark violet eyes, and black hair back in a long braid appeared in front of her.

 

“Where did you come from and who are you?” Eriko asked quickly, trying to keep her temper down, but it wasn't only her who was spooked, so was Kyo.

 

“I am Saki Hanajima, I was standing behind you the whole time and I must say, you have very awkward distress waves.” The girl said. Eriko sweat-dropped.

 

“That's Hana, she's psychic.” Uo answered the un-asked question.

 

That explains a lot…

 

“But Tohru, we must hurry to class.” Hana said quickly.

 

“Yes, I agree.” It was Yuki this time.

 

“Where are you people popping out from!” Kyo shouted.

 

“From down the hall.” Yuki and Hana answered at the same time.

 

“Well then, we better hurry!” Tohru cried as they walked down the hall. Eriko could only sigh, what was she getting herself into now?