Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Rising Affections ❯ Rumors ans innuendo ( Chapter 7 )

 

Disclaimer: Nope I still don't own Fruits basket.

 

 

Chapter 7: Rumors and innuendo

 

The other two came walking up to the school about 20 minutes after the council meeting was over. Shigure was leaning against the front of the school in the shade, with the things they had left in their lockers and their homework stashed in book bags for each of them. He hoped they would appreciate him for waiting and not kill him outright on sight; even if he did kind of deserve it.

 

He didn't notice them at first he was so deep in thought with plans for the carnival filling his head. Hatori and Ayame went up to the front door.

 

“No good, everyone has already left”

 

“But `Tori-kun I don't think I can walk all the way home from here without transforming. If that happens, will you carry me?”

 

A shadow detached itself from the wall behind Hatori. He sensed the intruder before he realized who it was and elbowed him in the stomach following up with a back of his fist to the nose.

 

“I guess I deserve that” Shigure whined “But Ha-san so rough.”

 

“Sorry Shigure, but I didn't know it was you.”

 

“You should have hit him harder. I am hungry and tired, and overly hot, my feet hurt and this whole miserable day has been entirely his fault.” Aya pouted “Well at least we were able to ride the train part of the way, and that… wasn't so bad; even if I did have to steal money for the ticket. Speaking of which, I know you didn't have anything on you when we left the police station. So how did you make it back here before us?”

 

Luck would have it that the municipal animal shelter is not very far from the main house. That's where I ended up. It has been a long day for me too. Here's your cell phone Aaya, call for a ride so we can all go home and get some rest.” Shigure answered with his hand clutching his now slightly swollen nose.

 

 

Oooo000oooO

 

The next morning started like any other. They got ready for school and met at the main gate where their car was waiting to take them to school. Everything was the same as normal; even the banter between the boys was less stressed than it had been lately. After a good nights rest and threats of major physical harm if Shigure even thought about blackmailing anyone ever again. After all it's not like they hadn't had other close calls on their little adventures before. Unfortunately the calm was short lived. Rumors run through the rumor mill at warp speeds. As they walked down the hallways there was a lull in any conversation taking place within sight of them. Other students seemed avoid looking directly at them but once they passed there were a lot of strange looks and whispered comments wherever Hatori and Ayame went. Even Shigure wasn't immune to the occasional whispered remark. It was uncomfortable to say the least and by first break, when they met up in the cafeteria at their usual table, they had questions to answer and things to discuss.

 

“Shigure what have you heard today?” Hatori got right to the point. Trusting the dog's keen hearing to have filtered out some of the details he or Ayame would have missed.

 

 

“The general consensus seems to be that you and Ayame were caught in a compromising situation somewhere. The `what' and `where' vary quite a bit. One extreme version had all three of us going at it in the men's room where we were walked in on by the principal. I would suggest feeding the rumor mill some more gems like that one, the more fantastic and unbelievable the rumor the less likely it is to be true after all.” Shigure suggested smiling as he rubbed his chin in thought.

 

 

`Exactly what did Omi-kun se? How long was he on the train before we spotted him?' Ayame wondered.

 

“Perhaps we can use the fact that Minami-san, who is the source of these rumors, is vice president Yamikawa's best friend. This can work to our advantage.” Hatori suggested.

 

“What an excellent idea `Tori, after all who stands to gain the most if I as student council president am discredited but one Kotomi Yamakawa, vice president and next in line should I be seen as unfit to continue as the chosen representative of our class. Why its unconscionable the lengths to which one of lower moral fiber would go to in order to garner support of the masses for political gain. For shame, enlisting the aid of poor Omi-san to spread such rumors about their own duly elected president. And to think such upstanding and noble men as Hatori and Shigure are being dragged through the mud also for such a petty reason.”

 

At that point a boy, a freshman came timidly up the table they were at and swallowing heavily he asked “Excuse me, sorry but I have to ask. Does that mean none of the rumors are true then?”

 

”Why do you have to ask? And specifically which rumors are you referring to? I have heard many rumors about myself over the years and simply would not be able to answer that without a little clarification” Ayame was having fun watching the poor fellow get all flustered.

 

 

“Umm well the thing is we, that is my friends and I heard that you and Hatori san were umm you know dating.” A blushing freshman stuttered out hurriedly.

 

“Aaya have you been cheating on me?” Shigure asked in a rather loud voice.

 

 

“Oh no `Gure why would I look elsewhere when I have utter perfection right here” Aya overdramatically replied without missing a beat. This was going to be fun too.

 

Hatori looked straight ahead trying to ignore them and trying not to blush while sipping on a soda with an `I wish I were anywhere else but here' look on his face.

 

“Oh Aaya you are my shining star a beacon to help me through my dreary days” Shigure was hamming it up.

 

“And, Mon frère de `Gure de mon coeur, you are the very warmth in my bosom, the spirit that keeps me believing in the power of life and love” yeah he lays it on thick too. They lean towards each other arms wide as if to embrace then give each other a thumbs up instead.

 

“That type of behavior is not going to help anything.” Hatori grumbled into his soda can.

 

 

The bell rang and the boys left to go to their next class. Ayame soon realized he had forgotten something. “You two go on to class I need to swing by my locker and grab my notes, I'll catch up in a minute.” He said. Turning and hurrying back up the hallway. It was a bad idea.

 

When he got to his locker there were three guys trying to bust the lock. Aya recognized the captain of the swim team and at least one of the other boys was from swim too. Upon seeing him they moved to surround Ayame as the tallest grabbed his jacket by the front and leaned in sneering threateningly he said,” We always thought you Sohma's were a little light in the loafers, but to have it confirmed, well we just have to do something about that. There's no room for fags at this school. We're gonna talk to the principal and school board and have you all are totally BANNED from ever coming to our swim meets again. Ugh just to think you've been out there looking at us in our swim trunks it makes my skin crawl.”

 

“Me, watching you? Not really, I mean those trunks are outdated at best the latest fashion would be something more like a boxer-brief than those silly speedos you guys sport. And the colors; my god, could the school have picked anything more hideous than blue and yellow? They could at least use yellow as the trim color and not the main event the blue would be much more slimming...” `Maybe I shouldn't have said anything about their weight.' Ayame thought as the boys crowded closer looking very angry.

 

 

Hatori walked through the door into the science class sparing a sympathetic glance at Shigure. They were doing another smelly lab today. If the lingering scent from last period was bothering him, the dog was going to be in misery before the end of class. As the students took their seats and got their books settled on their desks, just before the bell rang a soft thumping noise caught Hatori's attention. He felt Shigure grab his arm just then and the dog looked pointedly at the large terrarium that housed the class pet, a three foot ball python named Slinky. At the moment Slinky was going berserk; beating itself against the side of its tank trying desperately to get out. Hatori and Shigure looked at each other; both said “Aya” and with a nod took off running out the door.