Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ NECTAR ❯ Kakeru Manabe’s First Date ( Chapter 8 )

HARU *

Hearing footsteps outside the door, I looked up with a smile from the magazine that I was reading and stood up from the bed.

My smile dropped a moment later when the door opened and Hatori stepped into the room, a very stern expression plastered on his already eternally stern face.

"Oh, it's you." I said and sat back down on the bed.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Hatsuharu." Hatori said. Walking over to the opposite side of the bed, he looked down upon Momiji's sleeping form.

"It's isn't like that." I quickly explained, "It's just that I thought you might be Yuki. He was supposed to stop by last night, but he never made it."

"Yuki stayed the evening in Akito's chambers, with Kureno and myself."

"All three of you?" I asked uneasily. "Did something happen? Is Akito all right?"

"Akito regained consciousness yesterday afternoon," Hatori told me, "Only briefly, however."

"So he will get better soon, right? He's not going to end up disabled or anything, is he?" I asked uncomfortably and looked down at the floor, unable to stand the compassion I recognized in Hatori's tired eyes. As much as I feared the inevitable punishment that was sure to come with Akito's recovery, I found the idea of getting it over with much preferable to this constant waiting. If I was doomed, then I wanted to get on with it.

"It still too early to say," Hatori said honestly. "Akito suffered a minor skull fracture during Black Haru's assault. There is a good possibility that some permanent damage has occurred. I'm afraid we won't really know for sure until he awakens completely and I'm able to perform a full examination."

"I see." I said guiltily, and looked up when Hatori reached over and patted me on the shoulder.

"For now let's just worry about your own recovery. I hear you felt well enough to take a little stroll today?" Hatori said and the corner of his lips threatened me with a smile, but only for an instant, as was his way.

"Yes," I admitted. "I feel fine actually, Hatori, but if you don't mind I'd like to stay here with Momiji until he's better. He's still very shaken up about everything that happened. I'd like to be able to keep him company."

"I understand, and I'll allow you to stay a bit longer under two conditions." Hatori said, and although I thought I knew what they would be, I asked anyway.

"What conditions?"

"One, I'd like you to stay away from Akito's house for the time being. If you need something, you're to call my cell phone. You're not to leave the hospital without my permission."

"That's fair, and if you'd like I'll call Kureno to apologize. I feel terrible for how I acted. This must all be very difficult on him."

"Yes, it would appear so." Hatori agreed. "Kureno cares for Akito very much. He blames himself for not being home that day to protect him."

"He couldn't have protected him," I mumbled under my breath. "A wimp like Kureno would only have gotten beaten up as well."

"Perhaps," Hatori agreed. "As for condition number two, I would like you to sleep in your own hospital bed from here on out. Momiji needs his rest, and we certainly don't need to give Akito's servants anything more to gossip about."

"Agreed," I told him, and to prove that I was fine with the request stood up, walked over to the other bed, and crawled inside.

"Well, then, you may stay here for the time being. Although, if you truly are feeling better, you might want to consider returning to school tomorrow, you've already missed a whole week and I do believe that you have exams coming up." Hatori said, and I frowned. It was too true. I had already missed at least one test. It was going to be a real bitch trying to get back up to speed, but perhaps I could bribe Yuki into helping me study. I was about to agree to that as well when Hatori's cell phone rang, causing Momiji to wake and jolt up in his bed. Placing one hand on Momiji's shoulder to keep him calm, Hatori pulled his phone from his pocket and answered it.

"Hello," Hatori said into the phone. "Yes, this is Hatori Sohma." A moment later his face grew dark. "He what? Can you hold on one moment?"

"Excuse me, Hatsuharu, Momiji." Hatori said to us and stepped away into his office area.

"Haru? Why are you all the way over there?" Momiji wondered sleepily and I signaled for him to hush. Although Hatori was attempting to keep his voice low, we could still hear parts of his conversation. It was something about Kyo, and from Hatori's tone I felt certain that it couldn't be good. A moment later he hung up and returned. He looked fully annoyed, as would be expected.

"Is Kyo alright?" Momiji asked before I had a chance to.

"Kyo's fine. He's an idiot, but he's fine. They have him down at the police box. It appears he's gotten himself arrested."

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YUKI *

I awoke balanced at the edge of Akito's large bed and feeling completely disoriented. After gently removing Akito's arm from around my waist, I sat up with a yawn and glanced around the room in search of the clock. 11:55 A.M, it was almost noon. I had slept half the day away.

"Great," I said to myself in annoyance as I stood and walked towards the door. I really needed to get some studying done this weekend, so if I wanted to see Kakeru this evening, and I had decided that I wanted to see him very much, I really should have gotten up earlier.

Sliding open the doors, I found myself face to face with Kureno who was carrying a tray full of breakfast foods into the room.

"Yuki," he said with a nod as he passed me and sat the tray down on the small side table. "You're leaving? I brought breakfast."

"Ah... yes. I'm sorry, Kureno, I don't really have time. I need to study." I explained. "Exams are coming soon and I'm graduating at the end of the next term, as you know. It's important that I keep up."

"You'll be down the hall in the library, then?" Kureno asked. "Perhaps you'd like your breakfast brought to you there?"

"No... thank you, Kureno. You really don't need to go to all that bother." I told him, but then changed my mind when my stomach growled noisily. "Well, maybe I could eat something before I go."

"Good, this will give us a chance to talk." Kureno said, lifting the tray and carrying it to a low dining table in the corner that was surrounded by several large, comfortable cushions.

"Do you eat in here often?" I questioned as I watched Kureno quickly set the table for two.

"More often than I'd like to admit." He answered, and gestured for me to take a seat while he poured us each a cup of tea. Then he pushed open the heavy drapes, granting us a view of the snow covered garden, and knelt down across from me to begin dishing rice into two bowls.

`He's like Akito's wife.' I thought to myself, and bit my lip to keep from laughing out loud. `Damn it, Kakeru, this is all your fault,' I silently cursed, because Kakeru was the person who had taught me to laugh in the first place. Kakeru Manabe could wring humor from a stone, and apparently this exasperating trait had rubbed itself off on me.

"Did I do something funny?" Kureno wondered. I shook my head and hid my mouth behind my hand, but it was too late, a small giggle slipped through my lips.

"I don't generally do this myself." Kureno explained, and I wondered if he hadn't actually just read my mind. "The maids are busy, what with running food over to the hospital and preparing for the New Years festivities."

"They've started already then?" I asked, in an attempt to make conversation as I took a sip of tea.

"It's only a month away," Kureno reminded me. "I guess you've forgotten how much work goes into it, Yuki, seeing how little you've bothered to visit over the past few years."

`And there you have it!' I thought to myself in annoyance. `He didn't bring me breakfast to be nice. Kureno is really just like Akito. There are always hidden motives behind everything he does, and just like Akito, he can't be trusted.'

"It has hurt Akito a lot. Were you aware of that, Yuki? It was very selfish of you." Kureno went on. I sipped my tea and tried to ignore his words. I didn't want to let him upset me. I reminded myself that Kureno was Akito's confidant, his closest ally, and in his eyes I would always be `the worthless rat'.

"You are very important to him. He loves you very much." He continued, making me realize that I couldn't stay silent, that I really didn't want to stay silent. I didn't deserve this, and I shouldn't stand for it.

"You have no idea what you're saying, do you? You're just repeating the things that you've heard him say. You really have no mind of your own, Kureno." I said bitterly, my words spilling out of control. "I am not important to Akito any more then you are. We're pawns to him, and that is all. Akito's just a spoilt kid with too much time on his hands, and you're not his playmate, Kureno, you're his toy. It's just as Haru has said."

"It's not true. Akito loves me." Kureno whispered, his eyes wide. I was hurting him, defecating on his fantasy, but I didn't care. If I was going to be forced to live in this house, forced back into Akito's sick little world, I wouldn't do it as the helpless rat. I was no longer a scared little child, I was a man, and I would stand up for myself, I would make them understand.

"It is true, Kureno. It's completely true." I said. Having lost my appetite, I sat my napkin on the table and got to my feet. "Akito doesn't know how to love. Not you, not me, not any of us. Look at what he's done to Momiji. It isn't even different than what he's done to me in the past. Do you consider beating someone half to death an act of love? Do you really expect me to forgive him for it?"

"Akito lost his temper..." Kureno said, making excuses as has always been his style. Akito might not love Kureno, but Kureno did love him, and Kureno would remain loyal to the one that he loved.

"That doesn't make it all right. Black Haru lost his temper too, but do you think he'll be forgiven for it? Do you think that Akito will just let it slide?" I asked, my voice much louder then I intended it to be.

"Get out!" Kureno said softly, and although he was staring down at the pair of chopsticks he held clutched tightly in his angered fist, I knew that he was crying. I could hear the sorrow he was fighting to hide. I could feel his pain as if it were my own.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. My irritation had vanished, replaced by guilt.

"Please, just go," Kureno said to me. "I will watch over him today, you should study."

"Yes." I agreed, and although I knew he wouldn't see, since his eyes were still focused on his hands, I bowed to him. Then I turned and hurried out of the room.

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KAKERU *

"What are you wearing, Kakeru?" Yun Yun asked the moment he spotted me. Smiling big, I stood up from the cozy western style sofa I was sitting in and gave him a courteous bow.

"I dressed casual. You said that you preferred comfortable clothes, and to be honest so do I." I explained, not seeing what the problem was. This was a coffee house, after all. I had dressed appropriately in a pair of dark jeans and a thick red sweater. My lucky sweater, to be exact, and Kimi had assured me that the color worked well with my eyes. "Is the sweater too worn out? Do I look uncouth?"

"No, it's not that." Yuki said with a blush and removed the long jacket he was wearing. Underneath he was dressed stylishly in a pair of black dress slacks, crisp white shirt, thin black tie, and expensive shoes. I took one look at him in that get up and collapsed into hysterics.

"It isn't funny!" Yuki complained. "It's just that after the way you were all dressed up yesterday, and just to return my phone... I didn't know what to expect... damn it, stop laughing…"

"I'm sorry." I said, and put on a straight face for all of three seconds before busting up again.

"I said stop laughing at me!" Yuki repeated and started to pull his jacket back on. "It's not that funny."

"No! Don't put it back on," I insisted, placing my hands on his shoulders to stop him. "You'll be too warm." Pulling the coat away from him, I laid it on top of my own at the end of the couch. "And besides, you look so handsome." I continued and since I was unable to help myself, I lifted my hand to cover my mouth and mumbled, "For a butler."

"You!" Yuki said in mock outrage. I grinned at him and motioned for him to take a seat, then plopped back down myself. Just as I did, Rikku, the coffee house's owner, approached us with a smile.

"Kakeru, you haven't been in for a while. We've missed you. And who's this?" She asked and stared blatantly at Yuki. "He's cute."

"This is Yun Yun." I said, and briefly considered the shock value of telling her the truth, that Yuki was my date, but decided against it for Yuki's sake. "He's a schoolmate."

"Ah... Yun Yun? What an adorable name." She flirted, and a soft flush covered Yuki's pretty cheeks. Turning back to me, Rikku whispered loudly, "Is he single?"

"No." I told her, using the same pseudo-whisper that was actually meant for Yuki to hear, and staring pointedly into his eyes. "He's very taken, and much too young for you." Yuki's mouth dropped open and his face lit up like a stoplight, and then catching a hold of himself he flew straight into Yuki mode.

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here!" He said in annoyance. "And you, are you our waitress? You should bring a menu or something."

"No, no," I explained to him with a smile. "This is Rikku Manabe, my aunt, and also the owner of this establishment."

"Your aunt?" Yun Yun sputtered, properly surprised. Very quickly, he jumped to his feet and bowed respectfully. "Excuse me, I didn't mean...."

"Sit down, Yuki." I laughed, and grabbed him by the arm to pull him back down. "She's just my aunt, she isn't Hayao Miyazaki."

"Oh I like this boy! Polite and well dressed!" My aunt gushed, and leaned down close to Yuki's face. "So then, Yun Yun, are you planning to entertain us tonight?"

"WHAT?" Yuki said in confusion, and looked to me in fear. "What exactly is she talking about, Manabe?"

"No, no, Rikku. I don't think Yun Yun is into that type of stuff."

"Stuff? What stuff?" Yuki asked nervously.

"Really? That's too bad. I bet you'd be wonderful." Rikku teased, and then gave me a wink. "Should I bring your usual, Kakeru?"

"Yes, please, and Yun Yun would like some too, I think, and would you bring some of your homemade tea cakes as well?" I asked her, purposely ignoring Yuki who looked about to flip out.

"What type of stuff? Kakeru, what was she talking about?" Yuki continued to worry as my aunt walked off.

"Calm down, Yun Yun. It really isn't anything like your naughtily little mind is thinking," I joked. "This coffee house has entertainment on the weekends. Tonight it's poetry reading, Friday nights they have a comedy showcase, and Saturday they have karaoke."

"Karaoke?" Yuki said, and smiled. "I've heard of it. It's like singing, right?"

"Duh!" I said to him. "Yes, it's singing. My hell, Yuki, you really have led a sheltered life haven't you?"

"It isn't like I haven't heard of karaoke, Kakeru. I've just never experienced it." Yuki explained, and I felt a little bad for teasing him. One of the things that made Yun Yun so totally adorable, not to mention an easy target for my sparklingly sharp wit, was that he's basically clueless. Sure, he got good grades and he was an excellent athlete, but hello! How many high school students in Japan can say that they've never been to a karaoke bar? My guess was that it was probably one, just my Yun Yun.

"I'm sorry, Yun Yun. I'm just surprised, is all. I've been doing karaoke since I was five years old." I explained.

"Yes, and he's very good." My aunt butted in as she placed two large cups of steaming hot tea and a plate of fresh baked cakes on the low table in front of us. "But it's sheer crap compared to his poetry."

"Poetry?" Yuki asked interestedly, and grinned up at Rikku. "I had no idea that Kakeru was skilled in such things."

"Oh yes, now I remember why I almost didn't come here tonight." I said, and glared at my aunt, silently begging her to shut the hell up. But of course it didn't work. To make matters worse, Kurumi, my aunt's closest friend and number one waitress, picked that moment to notice me.

"Karu! Little Karu! Rikku, why didn't you tell me that Karu was here?" Kurumi cooed, and dropped down next to me on the couch in order to give me a hug. "And you brought your friend along. Is he a poet as well?"

"No, I'm not. I don't really think that I like poetry." Yuki said honestly, waiving the subject off.

"Too bad, having someone as pretty as you on stage would do wonders for business." Kurumi told him. "I guess that leaves it up to Karu to stir up tonight's crowd."

"I won't be reading tonight." I said. "I wasn't planning on it. I'm just meeting my friend for tea, and since Rikku makes the best tea in all of Japan...."

"Oh, no? What do you mean you won't be reading?" Kurumi pouted. "You have to."

"Yes, Kakeru, you must read." My aunt seconded.

"I didn't even bring my poems." I explained, and glanced over at Yun Yun who was grinning from ear to ear, obviously enjoying my shame.

"Well, here." Kurumi said, pulling out a small pad of paper and a pencil from her apron pocket. "You still have a little time before it starts. Improvise, Karu."

"Yes, Karu, and write something that will dazzle us." My aunt agreed.

"Oh, yes." Yun Yun chimed in, siding against me with an evil smirk. "Do dazzle us, Karu."

"Well then, I suppose I have no choice." I told them, and then smirked back at Yuki, "Since you're asking for it."

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YUKI *

It was driving me mad, Kakeru's... scent. It was incredible. It had been on my mind all day, a constant reminder of him, of his kiss. Now that I was sitting right next to him, watching him silently scribble away in deep concentration, it was seriously affecting me. Kakeru smelled... luscious! It was subtle and perhaps slightly feminine, but it was undeniably enticing. It was grating on my sanity... making me want him excruciatingly. Why had I never noticed it before?

"I'm done," he said suddenly. Ripping a small sheet of paper from the pad, he waved it in the air victoriously.

"That was fast." I told him. "May I see it?" I reached out to grab it from his hands, but I was too slow, he quickly balled it into his palm and shook his head.

"No way, since you're conspiring with my aunt and Kurumi to make me read, I'm making you wait." Kakeru said cockily.

"Is it ready?" Kakeru's aunt asked, popping out from behind us. "If it is, I'd like you to go first." Then she smiled at me and whispered confidentially, "Helps the newbies to get over their stage fright when we have a talented poet like our Kakeru to open the show."

"I see." I whispered back, and gave Kakeru an encouraging smile. He nodded, then stood and walked toward a small stage that was set up in the middle of the room.

"Hello." Kakeru said, and grinned adorably around the crowded room, before settling his sights on me. "I have to apologize in advance for this. You see, I wasn't planning on reading tonight, but here I am, and I have this little... uh... poem that I call Stolen First Kiss."

I don't really know what I was expecting from him, right then. To be honest, I suppose that I expected something silly, something that was obnoxious and purely Kakeru. What I got was entirely surprising, and so moving that it brought tears to my eyes.

Unfolding the paper, he glanced down at it for a moment and then he started to read:

A warm caress of silken flesh

Soft breath upon my teeth

Placid poison on my skin

You infest my ersatz slumber

Your touch possesses the whole of me

Treasured Friend. Silver sunlight.

With one kiss you alter everything

I barter my heart

So that I might keep you

I'll wear you inside my smile

You'll sit upon my lips

I'll drink you with tea

I'll taste you at my root

Eternally

Finished, he stood up, bowing slightly, and walked my way followed by the gentle appreciation of the room. Taking his seat beside me, he peered into my eyes, a soft blush glowing in his cheeks. Reaching across the couch, not caring what people might see or think, I enclosed his hand in my own and leaned over so that I could whisper in his ear.

"Thank you."

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MANABE *

Even though it was very late and we had school in the morning, I offered to walk Yun Yun home. I had no desire to leave his side. I was having too much fun, and I didn't want our date to end. As we passed a small park, my heart lightened and I smiled. I had an idea.

"Let's play, Yun Yun." I said joyfully, and took off running toward the set of swings in the middle of the snow-covered playground.

"Don't be silly, Kakeru." Yuki complained. "I'm already freezing! It's way too cold for that." Disregarding his protest, I took a seat in one of the three empty swings and pushed off with my feet.

"You're not even going to listen, are you?" He asked. I laughed and shook my head `no'.

"Come on, Yun Yun, live a little. I bet I can fly further then you." I challenged him as he took a seat in the swing to my right.

"What are we, five year olds?" Yuki teased, but kicked off anyway.

Moments later when we were soaring together in the air, laughing like children, Yuki called out cheerfully, "So, what do I get if I win?"

"You get to kiss me," I told him.

"And if you win?" He wondered.

"You get to kiss me." I said with a grin.

"So either way I lose?" Yuki joked.

"Shut up and jump," I told him and hopped out of the swing and into the air. I flew for a moment, and then plunged down to smack painfully into the ice-covered ground.

"Shit! That hurt!" I complained as Yuki crashed down face first, just inches away from me.

"Hell!" He cursed and stared across the snow at me accusingly. "That was a really dumb idea. I think I broke something." Flipping on to his back, Yuki reach into his jacket pocket and pulled out his cell phone.

"Is it busted?" I asked him.

"Might be," he said and examined it for a moment before putting it back into his pocket with a shrug. "Anyway, did I win?"

"No." I said, sitting up in the snow and gauging our distance. "It actually looks like a tie."

"I see." Yuki said. "So then do you want to go again?"

"No." I told him, and crawled across the snow, so that I could lean over him and gaze upon his gorgeous face. "I forfeit. You win." Sticking out my tongue, I ran it along his bottom lip then covered his mouth with my own and kissed him briefly, teasingly, before pulling back and grinning down at him. "I am your trophy, do with me what you will."

Smiling, Yuki wrapped his arms around me and pulled me on top of him, his chilled lips pressing tenderly against my own. We kissed leisurely, passionately, adrift within each other, disregarding the world around us. After a while, when I felt myself becoming aroused and remembered that we were in a public park, I drew back, sighing contentedly. Peering around, I confirmed that the park was quite empty and that the streets around us were silent.

"Mmmm..." Yuki mumbled, and licked his lips slowly. "No pineapple lip gloss tonight?"

"No, just me," I said, making a mental note to kill Kimi and nuzzling my mouth against his neck. "Disappointed?"

"No. I didn't really like it." He said, and shivered against my chest. "You're so warm, I feel so cold." Hugging him tightly, I rolled us over, putting myself between him and the icy wetness of the snow.

"Better?" I whispered against his ear, and then kissed a slow path along his face to his mouth.

"Uh huh..." he moaned and squirmed within my arms.

"Yun Yun!" I inhaled loudly, and grabbed him by the waist. His sudden movement had caused his leg to rub solidly against me, calling attention to my still swollen member, which lurked helplessly amid too many layers of uncaring cloth.

"Is something the matter, Kakeru?" Yun Yun asked innocently, although the look in his eyes said he knew exactly what my problem was.

"Nothing at all," I lied, grabbing him by the back of his head and dragging his mouth down to kiss me again while slightly arching my back and pressing myself casually across his hips, confirming what I already suspected. The interest, the need, was mutual. Moving my hands back to his waist, I held him tightly and arched my back again, more obviously this time, wanting him to feel me against him, wanting to take everything just a step further.

"Hah..." Yuki gasped, and yanked his head backwards. Violet eyes wide, he peered down at me. Then he grinned big, and while staring deep into my eyes, running his tongue along his lips, he pressed his pelvis against mine and worked it in slow, agonizing circles. This movement allowed just enough friction to drive us crazy, while our layers of clothing prohibited us from falling over the edge.

When I was unable to stand even a moment more of this pleasurable torture, I rolled him over and pulled away. Lying beside him, I took a moment to gather myself.

"Kakeru." He whispered breathlessly, and I turned to him. "Don't stop yet," he begged lustfully. Nodding, I pulled him back into my arms. He traced my lips with his tongue before kissing me greedily. While unfastening the top button on his jacket, I dove my tongue between his parted lips. He sucked my tongue and groaned into my mouth while reaching for the first of the buttons that would undo my coat. It was at that moment that all sanity deserted us. We vanished into each other, into our own enchantment, and we were lost.

In the snow we danced like demons, our eager mouths consuming each other, our frozen fingers working open jacket buttons, lifting sweaters, tearing open shirts, creating our own personal cocoon.

It was perhaps fortunate - considering the location - that we were both young, as such neither of us managed to hold out for long. In fact, neither of us actually made it into the other's pants.

Yun Yun came first, whimpering prettily and wrapping his legs around my own. The feel of his heated thighs shuddering against me was all that it took. My body was rocked with a mind numbing orgasm which caused me to scream against his lips and sink my nails into the soft skin of his back.

Afterwards, we laid breathlessly side-by-side and half undressed upon the frozen earth. As our passion subsided, we quickly redressed ourselves then sat huddled together, not quite ready to leave our icy first bed.

"Yun Yun." I whispered, and leaned over to press a gentle kiss upon his beautifully flushed cheek.

"Yes?" He asked softly and cuddled closer into me.

"I think it's highly probable that you are well on your way to becoming the greatest love of my entire life." I told him, my honesty stupidly spurred on by this perfect moment of afterglow.

"Kakeru?" He gasped in surprise and then lowered his head, hiding those remarkable violet eyes for only a moment before peering though that delightful mess of silver locks to grin at me.

"It's amazing what a grown man will say after experiencing his first non-self induced orgasm, isn't it?"

"YUN YUN!" I said in shock and shoved him away. "I'm wounded, how could you say such a thing? You're so mean."

"I'm sorry, Kakeru." Yuki apologized through his laughter, then covered his mouth with his hand and mumbled. "But you were so full of shit."

"Asshole!" I cursed at him, and reaching over, grabbed his face in my hands and brought it close to mine. "You're like a coldhearted version of me. I'm so very proud of you." Then I kissed him quickly on the lips, stood up, and pulled him to his feet.

We were silent as we continued our walk towards Yuki's home. My mind was deeply lost within itself. I was thinking way too much, and touching on feelings that I was surprised to learn I had. What I had said to Yuki had been one-hundred percent heartfelt and sincere, for I certainly was falling deeply for him. What bothered me was Yuki.

I didn't try to kid myself that I was also his first love. I knew how he felt about Tohru Honda, and I also had my suspicions about his relationship with that enigmatic white haired cousin of his. There had been an overwhelming vibe from them yesterday that I kept trying to deny. No, I was positively not going to be Yun Yun's first love, but did I at least have a shot at being his next love?

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YUKI *

"I had a great time tonight, Kakeru." I said as we stood in front of the gate to the main house. "Are you sure you don't mind the walk back into town? I can ask Akito's driver..." I was stopped mid-sentence because Kakeru leaned over and kissed me.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm actually looking forward to the walk home," he said. I pulled him into my arms and held him close, not wanting to let him go but knowing that the front gate of the main house was not the place for such an exhibit of affection.

"I'll see you in school tomorrow. I believe we have a student council meeting at 7 A.M., so try to be on time, okay?" I teased him as I stepped away and headed for the gate.

"Yeah, like you're one to talk. You just make sure to actually show up," Kakeru flung back, and I nodded.

"Point taken. Goodnight Kakeru." Pushing open the small door next to the gate, I gave him one last wave and stepped inside. Walking quickly to Akito's front door, I used my key to let myself in and hurried down the hall into my room. Sliding the door closed behind me, I leaned against it and hugged my arms around myself as I caught my breath.

"Kakeru," I whispered and lowered myself down to sit on the floor. "Why is it that I miss you already, and you've only just gone?"

***********

Thanks for reading. I enjoyed writing this chapter a lot, and hope the poetry wasn't too fluffy. Also, let me know if you all enjoyed this and would like me to continue with the lime, and probably very soon, lemon content. If so, I will probably want to change the rating to an R, so if you have trouble finding this story in the future it just means I moved it to the R rated section.

I'm a little infatuated with Yuki and Manabe right now, so I will try to update again soon. I do, however, owe a chapter to my readers of "I Love You", my other story, and so I will be updating that next.

See you all soon.