Title:
SecretsSecrets
The day had been almost perfect after finally getting to spend some uninterrupted quality alone time with Hana. Yuki was in a good mood. He had decided to do the gentlemanly thing and escort Hana home. He glanced toward her to see her maintaining her usual facade, giving nothing away to the untrained eyes. All was good for once. Well that was until Yuki had heard a familiar voice booming out at him.
"Yuki! My dear brother!"
A look of horror struck Yuki's face as Ayame appeared before them. His exuberant older brother was the last person he wanted to see. Hana looked toward Yuki almost showing her sympathy. She could tell from their waves that much conflict and bitterness existed between them. She could also tell that the elder Sohma desperately wanted to rectify his mistakes, but he was pushing too hard.
"What great fortune I'm having!" Ayame said happily clasping his hands together. "This is the most lovely turn of events. Oh hello, what have we here?" Ayame added noticing Hana's presence.
Yuki remained silent as Ayame grabbed Hana's hand. "And who is this lovely flower?" he asked placing a gentle kiss on her hand. "I'm Sohma Ayame."
"Hanajima Saki." She answered blankly.
"Hanajima Saki? Why does that name sound familiar? I think I would remember if I met such a beautiful young lady in the past. Oh wait, Gure-san mentioned you're name before to me. You're one of Tohru-kun's friends, right?"
Hana nodded. Yuki just wanted the nightmare to end.
"Gure-san didn't mention your beauty. Perhaps he was trying to keep you to himself."
"Niisan!"
Ayame looked toward his angry brother, a slow realizing smile crossed his face.
"Why Yuki are you cheating on the Princess with this enchanting young lady?"
Yuki flushed as a crestfallen look hit his face. Hana finally felt she should intervene before the gulf between them widened.
"Sohma-san are you implying that I would betray my best friend?" Hana inquired in her usual monotone.
Ayame looked taken aback, he couldn't tell if the young lady was offended or not. She was so unreadable.
"Well of course not. My apologies Hanajima-san."
Yuki looked between the two. Ayame really couldn't tell that she was being playful.
"Allow me to treat you both to dinner to make it up to you." Ayame offered.
Hana could tell that Yuki didn't want to spend anymore time with his brother but the waves Ayame generated were interesting.
"Very well then."
Yuki sighed defeated as Ayame pulled Hana off in the direction of a nearby restaurant. Somberly he followed hoping they could make this torture end quickly.
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Ayame and Hana sat quietly after Yuki stormed off to the restroom, a cloud of rage surrounding him. Ayame sighed lightly.
"Sohma-san, by now you must realize that you push too hard," Hana observed.
Ayame looked over to Hana surprised. Shigure had told him that Hanajima Saki was very insightful.
"Everyone tells me that, but I can't help myself."
"You shouldn't cling to excuses. If you want to make things right with Yuki-san, then you will have to stop being selfish," she spoke frankly. "You can't force him to get over his feelings, that is something that he has to do alone in his own time."
Only a handful of people could make him feel so exposed Hatori, Tohru, Akito and now this girl. Shigure had not been exaggerating about her insightful-ness. It was down right creepy how accurate she was being.
"I know you're right. By the way, are you Yuki's girlfriend?" Ayame asked, his playful smile returning.
"Perhaps." Hana answered simply, returning to her meal.
If Yuki was going out of his way to keep his relationship with Hanajima-san a secret, then he was trying to shield her from the Sohma's darkness and more than likely Akito. Ayame made a decision as Yuki returned to the table still seething mad.
"Hey you know it's been great to spend time with you and Hanajima-san but why don't we keep this a secret between the three of us? I wouldn't want Gure-san or the Princess to feel left out."
A dumbfounded looked crossed Yuki's face. He was sure that Ayame would go off blabbing about this to Hatori and Shigure. He had been preparing himself for the relentless teasing that Shigure would put him through.
"Um, okay." Yuki managed.
Hana smiled inwardly and then nodded her approval.
"Great, then it's settled. This will be our little secret." Ayame said cheerfully. Finally he and his brother were bonding. Secrets were big steps.
Yuki only hoped that Ayame could keep it a secret but only time would tell. Hana felt that if Ayame could manage this secret that indeed he and Yuki would eventually recover. That would be one less burden for both of them to carry. It would be interesting to see their auras when that happened.