Written by Miyu, Vampire Princess

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This is for Merrow's challenge! *ties headband tighter* I'm really becoming a sucker for Kureno and Uo, and I thought the fact that Tohru snuck into the Honke and delivered Uo's contact info to him was probably the best thing a best friend could do. ^^ The scenes with Momiji and Momo were darling too! *sniff* But that's for another ficlet. Following events from the manga, Chapter 75, I present here, a Kureno X Uo story. There will be angst, soured only by a hint of lemon. This part is told from Kureno's POV. Please don't flame me because I know so little about his character. *ducks* Phrases or quotes in the double slashes "//" are phrases translated from Chapter 75 of the manga and obtained through Shadow's Furuba Translation Pages as listed in the Fruity Group ML.

Part One - First Contact

What am I thinking?

//I'm not saying you absolutely must contact her...//

It's impossible.

//Tomorrow when you wake up, you may decide you want to see her...//

It's ludicrous.

//And if not tomorrow, maybe the day after...Or a year from now...//

It's outrageous.

//Uo-chan is a very important friend of mine.//

It's...the one thing I've ever wanted to do for myself in my whole life.

As I turn the piece of paper over for the twentieth time, my eyes quickly scan the written information there. Her handwriting is neater than I would've given her credit for. Perhaps she did that on purpose.

Just like she snuck into the Honke.

I must admit that I was surprised to see her. Honda Tohru. Then again, I'm surprised to see anyone on this side of the main house. Not many travel over to this corner of the Sohma world. Too many are afraid of Akito. Afraid he might spot them and start talking to him.

I would trade places with then any day.

I am not afraid of Akito. In fact it's the opposite. I am quite loyal to our family's master. He is quite formidable at times, scary if you must, but he is not as bad as some of the family would make of him.

Others have seen his dark side first hand.

This is why I continue to stare at this piece of paper. I retrieved it last night after the girl had left. She may have been confident that no one would've found it. I, on the other hand, was not. In the wrong hands, this piece of paper could destroy a life. Perhaps two.

So then what am I doing with it?

Her voice echoes inside my head. Her pleading eyes haunt me. Her opinion matters little to me, for I barely know her. Still, she risked her life to bring me this information. Not that her life is important to me either, but it shows dedication and loyalty to her friend. The one she calls Uo-chan.

The girl I know as Arisa.

It is rare should a day go by and I don't think upon some aspect of our meeting. Arisa's and mine. I was out on a day off, much like I would be today, and it was as if Fate had condoned that the two of us meet. I usually don't put much stock in fate. I am a cursed Sohma after all. But after hours, no days, of asking myself questions, I have no other explanation.

I had contemplated going back to that shop many times. But one thing or another came up. I let myself get distracted and in essence tried to forget I'd ever met her. Fate had no idea what it was doing. It was probably a fluke of some sort anyway. There's no way anything could work between us.

// That's all...I wanted... to say.//

Tohru's appearance yesterday should've made things worse. By giving me this information she's only trying to confuse me, right? She didn't even know if I was the person her friend was looking for. By all rights, her presence should've made things more difficult. And in some ways it did.

But she's also made it clearer.

//Uo-chan is a very important friend of mine.//

And strangely enough, she is important to me too.

I want to see her again.

I do not go against Akito's wishes. Not like some of my cousins. And if he knew I was seeing someone behind his back there would be hell to pay. I have seen his dark side. I know that the consequences for actually thinking for myself will be grave. I am very much scared by the idea, although I do not show it.

But for Arisa, perhaps this once....

I have no idea how I feel about her. We'd only met once. It was not love at first sight, although I suppose it came pretty close. She intrigues me, this girl. Her behavior, and her attitude, are all contagious. She makes me want to smile, to laugh.

I don't get to laugh too often inside the Honke.

By Akito's side, I don't get to laugh at all.

I stare at Tohru's handwriting once again, memories of Arisa playing through my mind like a slow musical. I can remember her laugh, her smile. Even her face. The sign of a fallen angel, I had thought when we'd first met. That smile has gotten me through a bad day or two. I don't have too many -- bad days that is --but it is something I suppose.

//I'm not saying you absolutely must contact her...//

Standing from my futon and walking to my door, I fold the piece of paper in half. I tuck it into my rear pant pocket before opening my door. The late morning sun is very warm today. Even the shade will not provide much shelter from the sweltering heat.

Or maybe the weather is just fine, and I am the one in need of cool refreshment.

Closing the door behind me, I begin my trek through the maze of houses inside the Honke. The place seems strangely quiet. Of course the sound of kids playing inside the Honke is a rarity.

Usually Momiji will romp around in the garden, chasing insects and playing with some of our younger cousins. But today the garden is devoid of his presence.

Even Hatori, who usually stands outside of his office smoking regularly, is not to be seen. He would not question me leaving the Honke. He would not question me at all, but it's probably just as well. Taking a deep breath I reach for the front door and push it open with little effort.

Today I am heading out into the world. For this day, and this day only, I shall be Sohma Kureno. Not the so-called lackey of the Sohma's master. Not the cursed Sohma jyuunishi. Just simply, and quite plainly, Sohma Kureno.

And I have a date with Fate.

~TO BE CONTINUED~