Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Musouka ~ Dare to Dream ❯ Yuki ga Futteiru ( Chapter 43 )

Chapter Forty-three

 

Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

 

Mandy Kender

 

Yuki ga Futteiru

 

“What? You can't be serious?” Apparently, Hatori looked deadly serious. Kyo hissed. Yuki and Tohru stood behind him, Yuki's arms folded, and Tohru rather concerned. It was two days since Noami's funeral and Hatori had suddenly arrived with the confirmed idea of having the three leave for a temporary vacation.

 

“I am serious, it'll only be for two weeks, nothing more and nothing less. I had left it to Momiji and Hatsuharu to invite other people that you consider friends. I'm pretty sure the girls named Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima had already ASAP.” Hatori told them, sending the three for a loop.

 

“Did you plan this all or did that annoyed Rabbit ideal it all?” Kyo asked, calmer than before. Again his temper had been better controlled since the funeral, he had grown…less hostile and outspoken.

 

Tohru had wondered aimlessly about his mood changes, it scared her at the most. When she knew someone he deeply cared about was in the hospital, what was there for her to do to help? She didn't want to sit on the sidelines as Kyo sat in depression…it was too depressing…so, maybe this vacation thing might be a good idea. Yet it made her feel completely guilty all the same…Eriko had yet to awaken, therefore she could not join them.

 

Kyo's so sad…there's so little I can do for him, but I'll do whatever I can! “This sounds great Hatori, but…what about all of you? I mean you, Shigure, Ayame-” Tohru started to talk, but Hatori was more willing to talk further.

 

“Do not worry about us, I already have someone over there waiting for your arrival. The people you will be accompanying are of course, yourselves, Hatsuharu, Hiro, Kagura, Kisa, Momiji, Uotani-san, Hanajima-san, and if Ritsu arrives back in time from his mother's hot springs, then he will accompany you as well. Of course, to make this a bit more eventful, you can invite anyone else you prefer to accompany you.” Hatori said. Yuki looked slightly awry.

 

The strange invitation Hatori had planned out himself was to take place the day after tomorrow. Yuki sat alone in his room, laying on his futon with his hands behind head. In his silken blue attire. It wasn't what Hatori had told him that bothered him so; it was the final student council meeting of the year till his junior year started. Why that girl bothered him so much left him puzzled….

 

Yesterday

 

“What are you planning on doing for vacation Yuki?” Kakeru asked, running his left hand through his black hair with faked exhaustion (he didn't do much work). They were walking down the school halls, deserted from lack of school activity, only the school council, it's newly hired members, and some of the school staff was there.

 

“I haven't thought of it yet, it's hard to believe the school year is already over with.” Yuki admitted, Kakeru chuckled.

 

“I agree, well, as for me, nothing to do. My bosses are off for the next month -strange as it is- and therefore I have no part-time jobs till they get back.” Kakeru explained.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah I know, I think they're all conspiring against something or someone (referring to his bosses).” Kakeru said. “Hey! Do you know where Machi is? Haven't seen her since two hours ago. You would think there would at least be some crash or two by now.” Yuki sweat-dropped, what a way to speak about a younger half-sibling.

 

“I haven't either, should we search for her?” Yuki asked.

 

“Probably should, if she makes a mess out of the teacher's lounge for some reason all of our buts are getting hauled and the new kid Naoto ain't a happy camper. Especially when it comes down to rules, “ Kakeru said. “Well, I'll go down the these hallways, you go ahead and check the library and staff rooms.” Yuki found it suspicious that Kakeru left so suddenly, but if he were a lot like Ayame, they both had unknown reasons for the things they did.

 

Might as well start in the staff room… Yuki thought as he wordlessly walked down the hall Kakeru abandoned him at. Only his shoes making the lightest of noise. Then that's when he heard it, the ever-so-occasional crash of a hundred or so papers and anything else that might have fallen. Quietly Yuki entered the staff room, un-surprised by the mess and still-flying papers around the upset girl, Machi Kuragi.

 

“Kuragi-san, are you all right?” Yuki asked, as if he didn't know it already. She was always fine and always bolted up from her fetal position as soon as Yuki even took a step near her. It was like she was paranoid, scared that he would strike at her while he was usually given that by her, in a quieter version.

 

“I'm fine. I'll clean it up.” Her tense voice said sternly, not even looking up at the Rat. His violet orbs glanced at the paper-strung floor; there was no way he couldn't have left without helping her. Though neither of them were to be the next Mr. or Miss Clean but why not. Trying doesn't hurt…

 

“Don't worry, I'll help.” Yuki said as he began shuffling some papers together, thankfully it was mostly colored construction or computer paper, nothing like important documents or papers teachers left behind to look at later. They should know by now that there was a Machi that wandered about the halls after school hours. They obviously never even heard of the girl…it seemed pretty sad that Machi was hardly noticed besides by others than Yuki, Kakeru, and the other student council members.

 

“…” she didn't seem much of a talker, reminding Yuki on the first day he met her.

Yuki peered into the now heavily messy room where the cabinets stood open with a girl on her knees and hands, her back to him. Yuki cocked his head curiously, she noticed him then and jerked her eyes over to him, and chocolate swirls met purple plum.

 

“!” She bolted up from her position with her arms straight and firm.

 

“I'm sorry, I'll clean it up.” She spoke.

 

“……..?” Yuki stood there motionless, unable to speak yet only think.

 

Who isshe? It's like she's gone berserk…

 

“Ah…”

 

“Machi? I have to wonder, and ask you-” Her eyes glowered at him, he cowered away slightly.

 

“Don't bother asking, I'm not going to answer you.” She replied. Yeah, that was the way she acted back then to. Not really wanting to have him near her, let alone even touch or help her. Yet now she was allowing him to assist her, maybe Kakeru gave her some encouragement. Or maybe not…it was possible to gain courage on your own, wasn't it?

“Are you sure you're feeling… all right?” Yuki asked, she flinched away from his possible touch. Her hair came down on her face, hiding her somewhat agitated expression.

 

“……..”

 

“I'm fine. Wait…” she told him. “…a second.”

 

“I apologize for any discomfort I might have caused you Kuragi-san. Yet I assure you, there is no reason to restrain yourself around me,” Yuki tried to say in a bright tone. “I get much worse of an ear ache at home,”

 

“You mean…when you're around Kyo-sempai?” Machi said quietly, Yuki became flustered, she was hardly ever with him in the meetings, and greetings in the hallways in school hours were hard to come by when he did ever see her. She seemed rather good at observing…if she actually every saw them together. Or maybe she heard it from somewhere else, probably from Yasashiku; he was in her year wasn't he?

 

I wonder if they know each other? Yuki wondered on, not noticing Machi stand up straight then and reshuffle the papers in her hand, not daring to look up as Yuki soon did the same.

 

Looking at her strangely, he didn't know how to place it, but Machi seemed a bit…nervous and more timid than usual.

 

“Has my fan club done anything lately?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

I hope that didn't come out wrong! “You seem, depressed today.” Yuki stated, trying to sound normal. “The last time I saw you so concentrated on your work -or ever being so neat- was when you were cornered by my fan club.” Machi still did not look up; instead, she only blinked, her eyes becoming narrow. Yuki took his as a danger sign.

 

“Not that I mean anything bad! If that's what you're thinking, I'm just curious.” Yuki tried to redeem himself. Not that he had anything to prove to this girl, she already stated honestly that she didn't see him as a prince.

 

“Then don't be curious,” Machi simply said with a rather cold tone. Yuki watched as she then took the papers from Yuki and walked out of the room, leaving Yuki in a state of confusion.

 

“You better not be hitting on my sister Sohma…he he…” Yuki sweat-dropped as Kakeru came around a corner and stood beside Yuki, patting his back encouragingly.

 

“How long were you there?” Yuki asked, his face darkening.

 

“Don't worry Yuki, I would never tell a soul…must be tough to be put down by a girl huh?”

 

“EH!”

 

“But there's a first time for everything ne Yuki?” Kakeru then opened his eyes, blinking a few times. Yuki was gone. “Yuki?”

“Machi?” Yuki looked down at the four hallways around him, behind him, before him, to his right and to his left. She could've gone down any hall and he didn't know where her schedule was for her assigned work. He had a twenty-five percent chance of guessing right. But then, Kakeru probably knew right? He was her older half brother after all…

 

No! I left him for a reason! Hitting on his sister? Honestly… Yuki couldn't stop moving his head, looking from one hall way to another. This would be a bad moment if Takei suddenly showed up out of nowhere… That would be going to hell and back… with a sigh he looked to his right for what seemed to be the hundredth time, then to the front of him.

 

She's probably down there… he thought, out of impulse he began walking down the hallway in front of him. Aw yes…here she is…hm? Yuki slid open the door that led into a room down that hallway. Inside was only an empty classroom, but Machi was in there. Though, asleep. Her head was bundled inside her arms while lying on the papers she had dropped and Yuki helped clean up. Yuki blushed when the hair was cleared from her face when a breeze from one of the open windows streamed in. Revealing for once, an expression with ease.

 

Yuki figured this was her time of vulnerability, when she slept. He silently watched, standing with his arms at his side. Maybe…in a way, she's a lot like me.

 

Not wanting to show weakness and to show it to others…letting my guard down…maybe she hates the same things I do…if so, maybe we do have more in common than we think. Blushing again of a light pink hue as Yuki's thoughts led to the words `cute' and `lovely' came to him. I wonder how much sleep she had gotten last night…?

 

“She wiped herself out again…” Yuki jumped slightly, turning around to find Kakeru at the door. His frame leaning again it with one arm slung over him, he sighed silently.

 

“Does she not get enough sleep?” Yuki asked, Kakeru looked from Machi to Yuki, then back to Machi.

 

“Let's just say she's having a hard time…adjusting.” Kakeru probably felt apprehensive, Yuki never saw him so keen into looking for the right words in his vocabulary and saying them out loud. “C'mon, let's go. Don't worry, I won't leave without her. Let's just get the rest of the paperwork done before Sir Takei reports back to us. Hopefully he won't find Machi while she sleeps. Ragged and violent when she awakes, trust me I know! Crud…too loud…” Luckily, Machi didn't seem to have heard him and continued on in her slumber.

 

Yuki followed Kakeru out of the room and closed it gently behind him. They didn't say anything for the next few minutes, the whole time, every thought Yuki did think, always led back to Machi…and Tohru.

 

That's who she reminds me of…her…not only me.

 

Back to the present

 

Silently, Yuki peered at the phone he had subconsciously carried up with him to his room. It was his own cell phone; he got it after the student council meeting where Kakeru was severely anxious into getting one for him. His thumb slid across the smooth silver surface.

 

Why not? They do seem to need one as well now don't they? Yuki flipped it open and dialed Kakeru's number first.

Again the day was cloudy; there hadn't been a single shine from the sun for days now. It seemed to be turning out to be a rather gloomy summer. Shigure's eyes sobered, he sat against the wall of the room he had before he moved out of the estate so long ago, to take care of Yuki soon afterwards. Not that he was much of a guardian, he could hardly cook…besides pickles, radish, and curry…how much Yuki detested that huh?

 

Shigure's eyes had grown much less carefree since his arrival to the estate. He had yet to see Akito since, but Sunmei was always there. Hatori visited regularly and often because of Akito, thankfully he had not been kept imprisoned like he and Sunmei. But it was mostly them that were punished. Yet his great mind didn't age, he was the one who came up with the whole vacation thing in the first place.

 

As clever as you are Hatori, I think we are both expecting the same thing… Shigure wasn't sure what Akito was planning, keeping him and Sunmei imprisoned, and Kureno talked hardly at all, only mono-syllables if he ever saw him. As for Sunmei…ever since Hatori gave news of Noami's death, Sunmei had never left Shigure. Reminding him all too much of a weak and starving little foal, just born and wobbly on its legs. Sunmei was like that he knew…they were close since middle school, very close it seemed…

 

Yet I was an idiot back then, yet I'm no better today now am I? Shigure thought as he readjusted his arm around the Holiday Horse. Her face buried in his chest, shocking him at most, he hadn't had a fresh pair of clothes since his arrival. Neither had Sunmei, they were truly treated like prisoners… But I suppose I should enjoy this minute, for one thing Sunmei is using me as a teddy bear, and second, Mit-chan must be having the time of her life-right? He he…

 

“We need to do something about your editor Shigure. She had been coming around your house for the past few days and only had either Yuki, Kyo, and Tohru answer the door.” Hatori had told him once at least yesterday.

 

Shigure chuckled to himself; it turned out that only Kyo had the gut to slam the door in her face on the fifteenth time in the first hour of her visit. Leaving her wailing till she finally left.

 

Sunmei's clutch on Shigure's kimono tightened, her slumber going on as expected - quiet and peaceful, well hopefully. Sunmei had been in tears, and Shigure was in almost equal depression when they heard the news of Noami. Sadly, Sunmei was forbidden to even go her funeral. And the pain of Mihoshi finding out about her later…tragic. Again Shigure's eyes dimmed…what were they to do?

 

They were falling apart. Yet they couldn't have the children get dragged into it too rough. They needed to relax, let the adults take over a bit. Yet here he was, doing the only thing he could do, comfort Sunmei. Sometimes he wondered where she got her energy, though unlike Momiji, she wasn't bouncy and hyper. She spent it on smiling and laughing, like she did back in school and before she left for America. Yet now, it all left her with every tear shed. Shigure deepened their embrace, how much he wanted to protect her…it was something of an instinct to him. Like a father to a daughter, only the feelings between them were so much more…

 

For the past few days, he and Hatori had come to a conclusion, Akito…was planning on having all cursed members, both Sohma and Sanotomono join him in the estate and forever live to his death and after. They needed the younger generation to get away. Before Hatori was forced to erase their memories, which would cause even greater pain.

 

“What are you thinking about?” Sunmei had awoken; Shigure smiled down at her gray orbs, her eyes still slightly puffy and red.

 

“Oh, what gives you the idea I was thinking?” Shigure joked.

 

“Yeah you're right, you hardly ever thought before…”

 

“Ow! That stung!” He grinned as she giggled how much they joked around before. He missed that giggle, he was sure Hatori and Ayame did as well. Maybe even Akito did too. Sunmei repositioned herself on Shigure's lap, her head under Shigure's chin, as if it was meant to be there, carved to fit the exact shaping of his lower jaw.

 

“Why are you still awake?” she asked finally, breaking the silence that was blanketing them.

 

“Well, it is noon.”

 

“Really? I didn't notice,”

 

“I'm surprised you slept for so long, did you not get enough sleep around Akito before?” Shigure asked. Sunmei's gaze darkened.

 

“Shigure…do you believe Akito is a bad person?” Sunmei asked, shocking Shigure. His face turned into a frown, trying to think, Sunmei saw through the false look of thought. “I'm serious Shigure…”

 

“I know. I'm just kidding with you, but why do want to hear my opinion?” Shigure asked.

 

“I don't want to be the only one questioning another's acts. I don't really understand her anymore…” Sunmei spoke.

 

“Yes well, you were gone for a while Sunny-chan.” Shigure replied.

 

“I know…”

 

“Now that we're on topic, why did you leave? It couldn't have only been because of the education I know. What did I do?” Shigure asked, practically on the verge of begging her.

 

“The truth of it is…I was frightened…very frightened…that you were having…a relationship with someone else…” Sunmei admitted softly, her grasp on his kimono not loosening. They entered another awkward silence. Then, he chuckled…and it soon became full-fledged laughter.

 

“Shigure?” He sat there laughing, shaking them both.

 

“D-Don't tell m-me you l-left because o-of that!” Shigure laughed, trying to breathe at the same time. Sunmei frowned, showing a bit more energy.

 

“What do you mean by `you left because of that'? I was really thinking you were in love with someone else!” Sunmei growled, finally Shigure calmed down, and smiled at Sunmei.

 

“I have to thank you for that, I needed a good laugh. But don't you think something so trivial is such a good reason to leave, without saying good-bye at least?” Shigure asked, her heart felt guilty, making her stiffen. He noticed. “Did you mean to say good-bye?” Slowly, she nodded. “It wasn't only that was it?”

 

“There's more…I'll admit…” Sunmei said, her expression softening, gaining comfort as she leaned against him. “It's about the relationship I mentioned…you like no love Akito ne? Don't deny it…you two have always been close, and you have been yearning for her attention since for as long as I can remember. You were always jealous whenever you saw Kureno and Akito together…because Kureno got so much affection from her…my affection for you I guess isn't what you were content with…I wanted to get away, and I hoped you would have had a better future if I were not around.”

 

“Don't say things like that, it's ridiculous, I won't deny it at all. I did have a sense of love towards Akito, you could say a while back at least a little time before we met that we were extremely close. She would always want to be with me, as I always wanted to be with her…but that was before, and then I met this special girl. You could say we were meant for one another, she understood whatever I went through, she was always there for me, we were always together, and she was kind and loving, she became the one other person this Akito had ever grown fond of as a family member. We were lovers to be exact.” Shigure explained, stroking Sunmei's back as he spoke. Her right arm slithered under his sleeve and held onto the back of his kimono, trying to bury herself further into the Dog.

 

“So why don't we just…push these things behind us, and continue from where we left off?” Shigure asked, his right hand holding Sunmei's face before his own.

 

“Shigure…?”

 

“Yeah I know, it's a rare thing to see me so nervous!”

 

I remember the last time you looked like this…it was at the dance in high school…that was the first and last time you blushed…while I blushed at least a hundred times…around you… Sunmei placed her hands on his chest and gently leaned in on him. Claiming her lips in his own, Shigure did nothing assertive, neither of them had the energy to be crushing at the moment. Not that either of them wanted to, the stink they attired was in great need of cleanliness.

 

Either way slowly Shigure's tongue managed to gain excess into Sunmei's pink caverns. Her palms and fingers gently massaging his chest in a rhythm as his right hand was behind her neck and his left held her back down. Breaking apart for breath, Shigure instantly took another strong hold over her from his unusual rare showings of strength.

 

“We still need sleep,”

 

“It's your fault you're tired.”

 

“I know, but let's sleep anyway.”

 

“…”