The FURUBA ROUND ROBIN PROJECT 

Chapter Nine 

by  Merrow
First Posted Online:  
History: 

Rin crashed to the pavement too shocked to be able to block her fall. The only thought she was able to keep in her head that whatever was on top of her had to be family or a woman, because she hadn’t transformed. She looked up to see a wild-eyed older woman on top of her.

“RATS! Everywhere! RATS!” She shrieked, gripping Rin’s shoulders. “We’ve got to get out of here!”

“Now, now, Saori-san, let the nice girl up.” An older man in a security uniform gently leveraged up the terrified woman before offering Rin a hand up.

She ignored the hand, craning behind her to see where Ritsu had gotten himself. He was leaning against a light post across the street sobbing, apologizing and gasping for breath. The men chasing him had disappeared. They must’ve seen the security man come out of the building and decided to look for prey elsewhere.

Rin’s eyes narrowed, not that she could understand why they would want to stalk him in the first place. Sure, he was dressed like a woman and to the uninformed eye looked like a very cute young lady. But once he started that apologizing crap most people knew to back away slowly but quickly.

“Are you alright, miss?” The security guard asked breaking into her thoughts. Saori was sobbing into her hands, and the security guard kept one hand going in circles on her back to sooth her.

“Fine.” Rin said shortly, keeping one eye on Ritsu as he pried himself off the light pole and started across the street.

“Then you’ll have to go home, I’m sorry but the building is closed for the time being.” He glanced at the sniffling woman at his side. “There seems to be some sort of er... pest problem, and we’ve been given word to get everyone out until the problem is taken care of.”

His walkie-talkie crackled and a voice came over the little machine, “Watanabe?”

The security guard flipped the walkie-talkie out of its holster with practiced ease. “Watanabe here.”

“I’ve found some other stragglers, I’m sending Kinomoto and Hanizawa to round them up and get them out. Be on watch-”

“Rin-chan?” Ritsu said hesitantly he approached with lady-like hesitant steps. “Ano... I’m surprised to see you here... but have you seen Kureno-san?”

“Kureno?” Rin asked surprised out of following the security guard’s conversation. “Akito let him off his leash?”

“Well, that is,” Ristu said looking down, “Akito-sama wishes Kureno-san return, that is, he didn’t want him to leave, that is, I was supposed to tell Kureno-san that Akito-sama wanted that before he left, but he left and-” He looked up wild-eyed and grabbed on to Rin’s shoulders. “And it’s ALL MY FAULT! I’M SOOO SORRY! I APOLOGIZE TO THE WORLD! I couldn’t find Kureno-san because he’d gone to get Kisa, and I didn’t know that so I couldn’t give him Akito-sama’s most important message!!! I’M SO SORRY!”

Rin broke his grip with one of the few martial arts moves she knew. “Ugh...” She said to herself, “How does Shigure do this...?” She put her fingers together, miming a gun and poked the monkey in the side. The first poke had no effect and Ritsu continued to apologize, oblivious to the audience he had in Saori and Watanabe.

Rin sighed and tried again. This time it had the desired effect and Ritsu collapsed on the ground.

“Izuzu, Ritsu...” Rin turned around to see another security guard escorting Hatori, Yuki and Tooru out of the door. Hatori sighed and continued, “What are you two doing here?”

Rin just set her mouth in a stubborn line, refusing to answer. It wasn’t any of his business, and she didn’t want him to know that she’d been trying to get information out of Shigure. He’d probably interfere ‘for her own good’ or some such nonsense.

Ritsu slowly gathered himself up and stood. He smoothed his pretty kimono and looked up at Hatori with watery-eyes. “Akito-sama...”

“Yes, I sent him to the hot springs to recover.” Hatori agreed. Akito had thrown a fit at Yuki’s wanting to get a job, working himself into a wreck. Hatori had thought it would be best if he spent a few days away from the honke, better for him and the honke. There were fewer people to damage at the springs. Though, if he’d known Ritsu had been there as well he might not have.

“Akito-sama gave me an important message for Kureno-san. He wishes Kureno-san to join him at the spring as soon as possible.” Ritsu started to look wild-eyed. “I tried to get to the honke as soon as possible to take him back with me, but Kureno-san had already left!” He took a deep breath, a telltale sign that he was about to start apologizing.

Rin took a pre-emptive strike at his side and he wilted back to the ground.

Hatori closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why didn’t you just phone him on his cell?” He pulled out his phone and hit the button to quick dial Kureno. “Hello?” He paused. “Ah.” He said nodding, “It’s me. Akito wants you at the hot spring.” He paused again, “As soon as possible. Where are you?” He listened to the answer. “You two wait there, I’ll pick you up.” He looked at the ground, Kureno’s muffled voice indistinguishable to the others. “No, tell her it will have to wait for another time. They’ve closed the building for the night. Honda-kun’s shift is over anyway.”

He looked up to see another security guard leading a sniffling Kagura out of the door. She gave him a blushing look and walked over to Rin in shame. Hatori nodded into the phone, taking note of what Kureno said again, “Yes, see you in a few minutes.”

“You three,” He said pointing to Ritsu, Rin and Kagura. “Go around back to my car. I’ll drop you two,” He gave Rin and Kagura a pointed look, “at home before I drive Ristu and Kureno up to the hot spring.”

“What if I don’t want to go home?” Rin said lifting her chin belligerently.

“It’s late, and you should both have class tomorrow.” He looked at Rin warningly. “Remember if your grades drop you’ll be forced to move back onto the compound.”

Rin’s teeth gritted, but her only response was to stalk down the steps and to strut towards the parking lot. Some battles weren’t worth fighting.

Ritsu gasped. “Ah, Rin-chan, please wait up...” He said and daintily started down the steps.

Kagura turned to follow but looked back at Yuki and Tooru, “Tooru-chan, could you...” she fiddled with the hem of her skirt in embarrassment, “would you please tell Kyou-kun that I’m sorry? I didn’t mean to...that is...”

“Don’t worry Kagura-san.” Tooru smiled brightly, “I’ll let Kyou know that you’re sorry you couldn’t spend more time with him.”

Kagura gave a weak smile. “Thank you.” She whispered and fled around the side of the building.

Saori wiped at her eyes. “I’m sooooo sorry you two,” she sniffled. “The building will be closed for the next couple of days while we call in the exterminators. We’ll call you when it’s open again.” She gave Yuki a strange look. “Young man, what happened to your pants?”

Yuki flushed and tugged at the hem of the shirt as if he could lengthen it just by wishing. “Ah, did Saori-san forget?” He smiled nervously. “I was trapped in the basement and the air conditioning got turned off.” He coughed, “It was, uh, very hot so I took off my pants. I’m afraid when the power went of I, um, lost track of them.”

“Well,” Saori said getting a little back of her chirp and syrup back. “When the building is reopened I’ll be sure to get them returned to you.” She nodded to the security guards. “I’ll be going then. Please make sure that there isn’t anyone else in the building.” She shuddered. “It’s not sanitary with all those rats in there.” She walked away in a quick half run and the security guards walked back into the building.

Yuki winced, and sent out a mental call to his friends that they might want to evacuate the building for the next week or so. He didn’t want them getting killed over him.

“I’m afraid I can’t offer you two a ride home,” Hatori said bringing Yuki’s attention back to the forgotten doctor. “With the others, and with Kureno and Kisa, there isn’t enough room to safely fit everyone. Will you two be okay going home alone?”

“Yes!” Tooru said brightly. “Yuki-kun walks me home most nights, so it’s not a problem at all.”

Yuki tugged at his shirt wishing for at least a pair of underwear. He’d have to walk home like this? He sighed. There really wasn’t anything else to be done about it. He could probably fit in the car, but that would mean leaving Tooru to walk home alone. And it would be too tight in the car for a non-junninshi to squeeze in.

Besides, Kureno would be there and the less he knew to take back to Akito the better.

“Have Shigure call me later.” Hatori said as he turned away down the steps. “Let me know that you got home ok.”

“Okay.” Yuki said and turned to Tooru. “Shall we?” He asked with a weak smile, indicating with a sweep of his arms the steps down the street.

Tooru smiled and walked down the steps with Yuki a few steps after her. They walked in silence a little ways, Yuki trying to get home as quick as possible by walking as fast as he could without quite running.

Tooru was a few steps behind and turned her face to the side with a little blush. When he walked quickly the hem of the shirt tended to billow out a little bit. She could have sworn she’d seen... not that she was looking. She went a little redder and looked anywhere but at Yuki. Thank goodness it was late and there weren’t many people out at this hour.

She hurried to walk at his side as they approached a man and woman walking the other way. They stopped and stared at Yuki and Tooru as they passed, a young man in nothing but a silk shirt and a young woman in a cleaning woman’s smock.

“Kids these days.” The man said. “I don’t get the fashion.”

“Ano...Yuki-kun.” Tooru said softly, stopping once they’d turned the corner. “Perhaps...”

“Honda-san?” Yuki stopped impatiently, his face was a permanent beet red. “We should hurry.”

“Well, I was just thinking...” She said twisting her fingers together. “Perhaps it would be better... safer, if I carried Yuki-kun?” She held open her arms a little indicating a hug.

“Ah....” Yuki couldn’t go any redder, but he felt his blood rushing in the attempt. Still... it probably would be safer then walking home half-dressed. “Well,” he fumbled over the words, “If Honda-san doesn’t mind....”

“I don’t mind at all!” Tooru said eagerly. Then flushed a bright red to match Yuki’s as she realized how that sounded. “I mean... if it will be a help to Yuki-kun.”

“Well, then...” Yuki took a hesitant step forward.

Tooru took a step forward, closing a little bit more of the distance between them. She held open her arms a little bit. Yuki stepped into them, but not quite close enough for their chests to touch. She looked up, wondering if she should take the next step and close her arms around him.

Yuki was looking down at her with those amazing purple eyes. She blinked and got lost at looking at the little violet glints and swirling gradients in them, her lips dropping open a bit. She forgot a little, being around him so often, just how beautiful Yuki was. An up close and personal reminder like this one was a little overwhelming.

Yuki looked down at her parted lips and shivered. He hadn’t stood this close to anyone, much less a girl, a girl he liked, for longer than he could remember. He put his hands on her hips and leaned a little closer his cheek brushing against hers. “Warm.” He said softly into her ear, not even realizing himself that he’d spoken. “Honda-san is so warm.” His hands moved around her waist and Tooru’s arms moved up his back. “Oh.” He said softly. That felt...really nice.

There was just the barest pressure as their chests brushed against each other and then that warmth was gone.

PYON!

Tooru scrambled to keep Yuki from tumbling out of the air, grabbing him back to her chest. She was blushing furiously. She’d almost forgotten why she was hugging him.

“Is...Is Yuki-kun okay?” She asked, her cheeks still flaming. She carefully bent to pick up the shirt without dropping the little mouse in her arms.

“Oh... ah... yes.” Yuki managed, glad that his sleek fur hid his now full body blush. “I’m fine.”

“Lets hurry home, shall we?” Tooru said, clutching him close to her chest and beginning to jog.

Yuki snuggled into the warmth of her chest and the hand that held her to him. “Yes, let’s get home.” He said softly, wishing that they could’ve stayed together for just a little longer.

******

Back at the house, Kyou sat on the roof and stewed. He shouldn’t have run away from the building. But he’d been so embarrassed and cornered that he couldn’t think of what else to do. He hated when Shigure and Ayame got together, it was like the world went to hell in a hand-basket. He heard a clatter and looked over the edge of the roof.

Shigure was walking towards his study loaded down with snacks from a convenience store.

“Oi!” Kyou flipped himself lightly over the edge. “Where’s everybody else?”

“Oh, Kyou-kun, is this where you go to?” Shigure said genially. “Disappointed you didn’t get to say goodbye to Ayame? He had to go home early.” He pouted. “He has an early shipment arriving at the store. But he bought me snacks to make up for it.” He dug into the bag and tossed Kyou a package of goldfish crackers. “Here, you didn’t eat much dinner did you?”

Kyou clutched the bag angrily, spilling goldfish on the floor. “That’s not what I meant, where are Tooru and that damn rat?”

“Don’t know.” Shigure said shortly popping a candy in his mouth. “Still at work I guess. Ne, ne, wasn’t tonight fun? It’s given me lots of ideas. I think I’m going to start work on a mystery.” He considered, opening a bag of chips. “Or maybe a supernatural romance... or maybe both!”

“You’re useless!” Kyou spat.

“Am I?” Shigure said genially, “Well then I should get back to work.” He smiled and stepped into his study.

Kyou turned around and started to walk back outside when he stopped dead in the doorway. Tooru was walking up to the back of the house with a shirt draped over one arm and a little mouse cradled in her arms.

“Oi! Oi! Oi!” Kyou said angrily pointing a finger at them. “What the h-!”

“Ah, Kyou-kun!” Tooru smiled, “I’m so glad you got home okay! I was so worried, since the weather is still not very good.”

“I’m fine!” Kyou didn’t like the way his voice went a little high, “What do you think you’re doing Kuso Nezumi!? Clinging to her like that!”

Yuki jumped down from Tooru’s arms, angry at himself for not having the sense to get down before he’d gotten in sight of the house. But it had felt so nice...

“Jealous?” He said snidely, crossing his little mouse arms and looking up at Kyou.

“Wha-? You take that back!” Kyou yelled.

“Make me.” Yuki said deliberately.

“If you weren’t in that form I would!” Kyou said, then lifted a foot to step on him. “Or maybe I should anyway!”

Yuki waited until Kyou’s foot was just above his little mouse head before striking. He darted forward and bit the ankle of the leg the cat stood on.

Kyou yelped and jerked his foot up. Already in the midst of one step he tripped over his own feet and thudded to the ground.

Yuki felt the familiar tingle of his transformation overtake him. He stood over Kyou and put a bare foot on his throat.

“Don’t insult Honda-san like that again.” Yuki said putting a little pressure on the foot.

Kyou glared at him angrily, but didn’t speak.

“Ano... Yuki-kun.”

Yuki looked over at his shoulder at Tooru. She was looking steadfastly the other way, and had been since he’d transformed. She held out the shirt at arm’s length.

He looked down at himself and flushed. He’d been so mad he’d forgotten that he was naked. He took the shirt and wrapped it around him stepping away from Kyou.

“Thank you Honda-san.” He said ignoring the other boy as he leapt away and back onto the roof to sulk over his humiliating defeat.”

“I’m going to change, but afterwards, would Yuki-kun like a cup of hot cocoa?” Tooru smiled. “The first time I went to work my mother made one for me when I came home. Any anytime she got a new job I made one for her. It’s...” She paused and looked down a little, “It’s a tradition.”

“I’d like that.” Yuki smiled. “Very much. I’ll just go change.”

******

A short while later they both sat at the table over steaming cups of cocoa.

“So,” Tooru said brightly, “What did Yuki-kun think of his first day at work?”

End of Chapter 09
Return to Chapter 08  
Continued on Chapter 10 

Authors Note: Ta-da! I finally posted it! Here’s the recap for the challenge for the next author.

The chapter challenge, for whoever is up next, is to write the next chapter from the POV of a minor character. Suggestions are any one of
the following: the security guard at work, Aunti Saori, one of Tooru's fellow cleaning ladies, a classmate at school, or one of the servants at the honke. You can go back in time if you want to talk about the previous night at work, or forward in time if you want to cover new ground.