The car ride back to the Sohma House was a silent one as neither Hatsuharu or Hatori said a word. Once they arrived back home, Momiji made his appearance and jumped happily up and down.
"Hari!! Hari!! Your back!!"
He cheered on and on, but Hatori paid him no attention. Hatsuharu got out of the car as well and walked past Momiji without even saying the usual 'I'm home'. "Eh? Haru?" Momiji began to say with his eyes all watery. It seems that Momiji was worried about him. Hatori placed his hand on Momiji's shoulder, making him look up.
"Don't mind him. He's been quiet ever since I took him away from that girl's place." Hatori informed the blond boy. "So he really was at Haruhi's place..." Momiji whispered in awe.
"Let's just go inside and get some sleep..."
------
The next morning, Hatsuharu got dressed and readjusted his shoes with a blank expression. He made his way down the stairs, only to see Momiji standing there in his school uniform. "Good morning Haru! How are you feeling?" The boy asked him. Hatsuharu just stuck his hands in his pockets.
"I'm feeling fine..."
Momiji smiled faintly, being glad that Hatsuharu talked to him again. "Can I ask you something?" Momiji spoke up with his eyes all big. "Sure... Ask away." Hatsuharu retorted. "Well... Did you have fun at Haruhi's place? What was it like there?"
A faint smile crept up on Hatsuharu's lips. "Yeah... I guess you could say that. I met her family." He said as he stared in the distance. "I really got the impression... That they liked me." Hatsuharu finished off. Momiji seemed to understand.
"Did you know that Haru-tan hasn't even heard of the Zodiac tale before? She really is unbelievable." He muttered out with a chuckle to follow. Momiji smiled along with him. "That's hard to believe. Maybe it's because she's part French." Momiji pointed out.
"Whatever it is, I explained the tale to her. As I predicted, she felt sorry for the Cat." Hatsuharu ran his fingers through his hair with a sigh to follow. "Haru-tan also told me that she liked the Ox the most. She's the first person to say that to me."
"Lucky you Haru." Momiji patted Hatsuharu on the back. "Nothing's going to happen, Momiji. We're just friends. Besides... I really think that she would be scared out of her wits if she saw me transform." Hatsuharu finished off as he walked to the door.
"You never know with a girl like Haruhi." Momiji looked up at Hatsuharu with a genuine smile. Hatsuharu messed up his hair a little, being careful not to drop Momiji's hat.
"Whatever you say. Just keep on dreaming." He retorted blankly. The two of them walked out the door. Once there, they saw Hatori standing in front of them.
"Hari? What are you doing?" Momiji asked the young man. "Ah... Momiji, Haru. Where are you headed off to?" "To school of course! What a silly question Hari!" Momiji laughed loudly. "You're allowed to go to school today, but Haru isn't going. He's coming with me." Hatori began to say as he stared Hatsuharu down.
"Huh? But he has school today. Sensei will scold him if he doesn't show up." Momiji argued back. "Don't blame it on me. I'm just the messenger. Akito wants to see you." Hatori faced Hatsuharu, wanting to know how he puts up with the news.
"Look... If it's about Haru-tan, I'm not going. I'm not letting her find out about the curse. Problem solved." Hatsuharu argued back. "It's not about that anymore. You caused for this to happen. Face the consequences." Hatori replied. Hatsuharu clenched his fists as his bangs covered his eyes.
"I'm not going there..."
"You have no choice in the matter, Haru." The two of them stared each other down for a few seconds, until Hatori sighed deeply. "Don't make me inform your parents about your behavior." Momiji looked up at Hatsuharu, only to see him look the other way.
"Ne Haru... It’s probably best for you to go. Akito will be furious if you don't listen. You just have to let him do most of the talking and you’re out of there in no time!" Momiji cheered him on with a wide smile.
"Fine... I'm going. But I'll remember this." Hatsuharu growled lowly as he walked ahead of Hatori. "Will he be okay?" Momiji asked the young man. "With his attitude, I doubt it."
You're POV:
I held onto my briefcase softly as I walked down the empty hallways. I still felt a little sleepy. I could barely open my eyes as I yawned lightly. "I just had to be late today..." I muttered out, not really in the mood for school.
I placed my hand onto the doorknob and planned on opening the door. But I stopped as I heard the sound of running footsteps coming my way.
"Ohaiyo Haruhi!! You look... Tired!!"
Momiji greeted me as he placed his hands on his knees to catch a breezer. I just sweat dropped at his statement. "A tired person shouldn't say that, Momiji." I chuckled out. He's always full of energy. It's so weird to see him exhausted like this.
"Why are you late today? Are you having trouble finding your way to school? Or is it because you don't want to play with me? You can tell me! I won't be mad!" Momiji didn't even breathe properly, making me back away from him a little. "N-no... It's not you Momiji. I... I just overslept. It won't happen again." I answered him. Momiji nodded happily with his hands in the air.
"That's great!" I smiled at his enthusiasm. "Ano... Momiji. What are you doing here by yourself?" "Oh... I had a phone call from my Papa." He answered, making me nod my head. "I see. Nothing bad happened, right?"
"You’re so nice for asking that, Haruhi." Momiji flashed another smile. I was taken by surprise. "Nope! Everything's okay!" "Well... That's good." I retorted with a quick nod of my head.
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot!" I rummaged through my briefcase, only to pull out Hatsuharu's notebook. "I need to give this to Hatsuharu. He let me borrow it for the big math test tomorrow. I wrote down his notes, so I won't be needing it anymore." I explained to Momiji.
"He must be in class, right? Then let's go!" I replied with enthusiasm. Momiji seemed to avoid my gaze as he just stared at his feet. He became quiet all of a sudden, making me grow a little worried for the moment.
"Momiji? Are you alright?" He looked up at me. His eyes held a depressed glow in them and his facial expression wasn't any better. "Haru's not here today. He had something else to do." I frowned upon hearing his answer.
"B-but don't worry! He'll definitely be here tomorrow!" He tried to cheer me up. Which only worked a little. I sighed deeply as the guilt piled up even more. "I shouldn't have brought him over at my place..." I muttered out. Momiji shook his head at me.
"No... That's not it. He really... Enjoyed it." Momiji whispered lowly. "I could tell."
I tightened my grip on my briefcase as my bangs covered my eyes. "Thanks to you, he has more confidence in himself." Momiji continued to say. "So don't blame yourself." A lone tear made its way down my cheek. I didn't even know why I started to cry, but I couldn’t care less. I wiped away the tears that threatened to spill and faced Momiji properly.
"If you say so." I smiled brightly.
"I want to ask you something." Momiji replied. I blinked a couple of times, waiting for his question. "What's so great about the Ox? Don't you like the Rabbit?" I crashed on the floor anime style. "Just how much did Hatsuharu tell you about his little visit!! This is so embarrassing!" I cried out in tears. Momiji just laughed at my reaction.
Hatsuharu's POV:
We were almost at Akito's place. Ha-kun was walking way ahead of me. I didn't have any intention on speeding up my pace, nor to make it easy on Akito once I arrived. "Haru..."
I looked up and faced Ha-kun. He stopped walking. Probably wanting for me to catch up. I did so, walking past him. Not even making eye contact with him. He sighed deeply in response. After a while of walking, we made it to the Main House. Ha-kun opened the door, leaving for me to enter.
"Wait until I announce for you to come in." Ha-kun warned me as he opened the door to the room where Akito resides in. "Whatever... Your acting like I've never been here before." I replied back as I rolled my eyes. Ha-kun faced me again with a frown.
"I know that you’re angry at me for multiple things, but I'd prefer for you to leave your witty remarks behind when you enter this room. The last thing I want is to see you get hurt just because you can't keep your mouth shut!" He hissed lowly.
I was taken aback by the cold look he gave me. Ha-kun noticed this and ran his fingers through his hair to calm down. "Look... Just listen to what Akito has to say and get it over with. Afterwards... You can go to school to meet up with her."
I looked up at him and bowed softly, accepting his proposition. Ha-kun placed his hand onto my shoulder once I got back up again. He gazed in my eyes for a few seconds, until he turned his back on me and walked in the room.
I just closed my eyes and listened intently to his retreating footsteps until he stopped walking and got down on his knees.
"Akito..." Was his first word to God. "Haru has made it here safely. Are you ready for him now?" Ha-kun asked the Head of the Sohma family. He nodded his head faintly.
Ha-kun glanced over at where I was standing and gestured for me to come in. I did so. I got down on my knees and faced Akito with a firm posture. "You wanted to see me..." I spoke up softly.
Akito didn't even look at me as he seemed to be preoccupied. A bird flew delicately on his finger. The sliding doors to the garden were open, letting the rays of the sun fall in the dark room. Akito still had his back turned to me.
"You may leave now, Hatori." Akito whispered out. Ha-kun glanced over at me, not really wanting to leave. But he got up anyway and made his way out the door. I grew a little nervous, but I was determined not to let it show.
"Tell me. Are you proud of yourself?" He asked me. The bird on his finger flew away. Flapping his wings in the air as a few feathers twirled down. "Proud of myself?" I repeated his question. Akito got up on his feet, letting his robes drape down.
"Don't make a fool of me." He whispered out darkly as a smile crept on his lips. He stopped in front of my kneeling form, looking down at me. "I really have no idea what you’re talking about." I spoke up. Akito just frowned darkly at my answer. But he smiled again nonetheless.
"Tell me... Which one suits your taste?" I looked him in the eye upon hearing his question. "That doesn't matter." I whispered out for him to hear.
"Stupid Ox... Of course it does." I clenched my fist, trying my best to keep myself from punching Akito in the face. "No, it doesn't. I barely even know her. She's just a classmate." I retorted. Akito turned around and took a few steps in the garden's direction.
"You know... I think I should visit this new pet of yours."
At once, I got up on my feet and glared him down. "I told you! She's just a classmate! There's no need for you to get involved!" I yelled out, already losing my cool. Akito turned around and faced me again. His smile was a sickening sight to behold. "So you prefer her after all... In that case, I have to get involved."
"I'm telling you to let it go! She's no threat to you!"
I pleaded to him. Akito's facial expression changed dramatically as he walked up to me. "Are you willing to give up your life for hers? Can you face the gruesome pain that will befall you?" He whispered out to me. I kneeled down again and bowed deeply.
"Yes... I'll do anything. I don't care what happens to me. You can punish me all you want. I can handle it!" Came my muffled reply. Akito smirked widely. "How very amusing... The position you’re in. I feel like I've seen it before."
Akito got down on my level. "I remember now... This is just how Rin begged me to keep you safe from harm." He whispered in my ear. The pieces of the puzzle fell into place. I truly am... An idiot. I didn't even notice.
It's all my fault. I felt the anger boiling up inside me. I wanted nothing more than to pounce on Akito for what he had done. But I didn't. I had no right to...
"What's wrong? You didn't know?" Akito replied. I said nothing. "Sorry... I thought you knew." He smirked. "You should watch out. The same thing might happen to that new pet of yours if you don't pay enough attention." He continued to whisper to me. Akito got back up again and turned his back on me.
"Now get out before I'm forced to damage you beyond recognition." I got up slowly and walked over to the door.
"One more thing..." I stopped walking upon hearing Akito's final words. "If she finds out about the curse... I'll blame your stupidity for it. For once... Be wise and take the right path." He mocked me.
I still didn't say anything. I just walked out of the door and ran through the many hallways of the Main House, not even looking back.
Your POV:
"Well... That wasn't so bad." I spoke to myself, feeling glad that class was over. I walked into the hallway with Momiji trailing behind me. It seems that Yuki, Kyo and Tohru already left for home. And I should do the same.
"Well... I'll see you tomorrow, Momiji. And hopefully, Hatsuharu will show up as well." I replied with a smile. Momiji nodded his head vigorously. "No worries! He'll be here!" He retorted happily. He ran off in the opposite direction, still waving like crazy. "Auf Wiedersehen!!" (Goodbye!)
I just sighed and waved back at him. "Doesn't he know that the exit is in my direction?" I piped up while scratching the back of my head. I shrugged my shoulders and just let him be. Momiji always seeks for adventure anyway.
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot!" I ran up to my shoe locker and took out my outdoor shoes in a hurry. "There! Now I can go home!" I cheered happily as I finished tying my laces. I took a hold of my briefcase, about to make my way out of the school building when I heard the sound of running footsteps.
"Huh?"
My curiosity got the best of me again, so I walked up to where the sound was coming from. Just that instant, someone came running from the corner of the hallway. From the shock, I instantly raised my briefcase and slammed it against the person's head.
"Prendre cela!!" (Take that!)
My eyes were shut, so I couldn't take a good look at the person. A few seconds passed, and I decided it would be best for me to open my eyes. As I did so, I saw a faint blur of black and white.
"H-hatsuharu?" Was all I could say at the moment. "Ah! I'm sorry! I never knew it was you! If I knew, I would have never hit you with my briefcase!!" I blurted out. Why did I have to go and hit him on the head like that! He remained silent.
"Hatsuharu... Are you mad?" I asked him. He dropped down on his knees and didn't say a word. Something was wrong... He's not being his usual self. "A-are you okay? Can I help in any way?" I whispered out, hoping that he would say something.
His hands clenched up into fists, revealing the whiteness of his knuckles. His eyes were hidden under his bangs. I could only guess how he felt right now...
"It's all my fault..."
Hatsuharu mumbled out for me to hear. "It's not your fault." I smiled as I got down on my knees as well. "You don't even know what I'm talking about. You don't know what I'm dealing with." He looked me in the eye, making me feel somewhat uneasy.
His eyes seemed cold and dark. Maybe... This is his black personality?
"That may be true... But that doesn't necessarily mean that I'm wrong." I mumbled out with a shy smile, avoiding his gaze while I was at it. Suddenly, Hatsuharu caught me off guard as he placed his hands onto my shoulders. He forcefully pushed me against one of the shoe lockers, still staring me down with those cold eyes of his.
"You’re wrong... You don’t know anything about me or the others. Get it through your thick skull." Hatsuharu whispered under his breath. His face was inches away from mine, giving me a clear view of his mysterious eyes. Even though I was in a tough position, I strongly refused to believe him.
"There might be a lot that you guys aren't telling me, but I don't care! Everyone has a secret! I won't judge you for that! Get that through your thick skull!" I piped up, not backing away at all. Hatsuharu stared at me in disbelief. He slowly released me and kept on staring at me.
"You know what? You're right..."
I whispered softly. My bangs covered my eyes as I just sat there on the cold floor. "Maybe you have a lot of secrets. And I don't blame you for having them. You don't have to tell me what you’re going through." My voice was trembling.
"But... At least I know a few things for sure." I looked up at him with determination. Hatsuharu noticed the look on my face and said nothing. "I know that you’re a good person. I know that you did some bad things in your life, but that's only because you had no choice. You didn't know! Your such a nice guy... And I bet you don't even realize that yourself."
Hatsuharu had a look of regret on his face. He stared at his hands, not wanting to look at me anymore. "That's because I'm too stupid to understand..."
"No you’re not!" Was my harsh response. "It's because you refuse to see your good qualities. I know... Because I used to be just like that." I answered truthfully. "You’re not the only one who's stupid." I chuckled out softly.
Hatsuharu looked down again, letting me see his creamy white hair. I hesitantly stretched out my hand, letting my fingers run through his hair softly. Eventually... I placed my head against his and closed my eyes.
"You’re not stupid..."
We didn't move an inch from our current position. "Thank you..." He mumbled out. But I barely heard him. I opened my eyes and faced him directly. "What did you say?" He smiled brightly, making me feel warm inside.
"Voulez-vous manger de la crème glacée ? Était ce que j'ai dit." (Do you want to eat some ice cream? That's what I said.) I started to laugh a little at his answer. As I took a hold of my briefcase, I managed to smack him on the head with it.
"That's not what you said and you know it!" I laughed softly. His head was tilted to the side with that usual blank expression on his face. I just realised... This was the second time that day that I hit him on the head.
"Oh! I'm sorry! I really didn't mean to!" I blabbed out. Hatsuharu did nothing. I looked closer to see a trail of blood trickling down his forehead. My face was red from embarrassment after realizing that it must be because of me!
"I definitely didn't mean to hit you that hard to draw blood!!" I panicked loudly while looking around for anyone to help. That moment, Hatsuharu passed out on me. He simply crashed down on the floor. I panicked even more, if it were possible!
"H-hatsuharu! Don't leave me hanging here!" I shook him wildly. Completely unaware that he was faking the whole thing. He just smiled brightly as I ranted something about calling an ambulance.
No doubt she'll kill me when she finds out...
