Chapter 3- The Day the Sohma's Came

Yes, I came. And would my pride mock my real

feelings? Would the love song, the sweet and lovely

smile on your face, be lost among the deepening shadows?

He was living with a neat-freak.

She was living with room-klutz.

And they were driving each other crazy!

"You're going to be late Sohma-kun! Get up, get up!" cheerfully announced Tohru, relishing the groans of dismay coming from Yuki's side of the room. Her roommate was obviously not a morning person and being the nice, considerate roommate she is, she made sure she woke Yuki up and hour and a half before his classes. "Rise and shine sunshine," chirped Tohru cheerfully, knowing that Yuki could just have cheerfully tossed her out of the window.

Rolling underneath his very warm blankets, Yuki tried to close his eyes and shut out Tohru's chatter. But unfortunately, his wonderful sleep was lost. He wanted to growl in frustration. It's been a month of the same routine but in that course of time, he also got to know a few of Tohru's pet peeves. "Right," said Yuki yawning as he sat up in his bed, sleep bubbles still hovering above his head. He tried to look innocent as he remarked, "Well I can understand you wanting to get up this early, it's our Calculus graded recitation isn't it?" Yuki watched the color drain out of Tohru face and grinned widely.

One point.

"Kyou-kun?" asked Kagura as she and her cousin were walking side by side towards the university.

"Hmm?"

Kagura sighed when she realized that Kyou was still deeply thinking, as he had been the last few dayS when Yuki announced to them in full indignation that he was staying in an all-girl's dormitory and that he was living with a fiendish roommate, a girl named Honda Tohru.

She felt apprehension clutch her heart, she knew she had Kyou's love by default. Everyone knew back then that Tohru was in love with Yuki and so Kyou had turned to Kagura for comfort. But then the accident happened and Tohru was abruptly removed from their lives. Then graduation came and eventually college, and then now, now when they were supposed to make a clean start, Tohru is back in the picture. With no obvious memories of the past.

With each word lancing both pain and pleasure in her heart, Kagura managed to say, "We'll probably be meeting Tohru-kun one of these days..."

Kyou swiveled his head to look at his girlfriend. There was a smile on Kagura's face but her eyes were darkened by an emotion he couldn't read. He nodded slowly, "Yes, we probably will," he agreed.

Comical tears were streaming down Tohru's face by the time their Calculus professor dismissed them, but not without leaving a ten-page problem assignment. She barely noticed Uo patting her back comfortingly.

"Cheer up Tohru, this subject is not that important for your course anyway," said Uo.

"But I'm in education! I want to be a teacher! And I have to master math somehow so that I can teach my students!" exclaimed Tohru as she pumped her fists energetically.

A few of their blockmates passed by with sweat-drops on their heads. Yuki, who was surrounded by a group of students (not just girls) rolled his eyes at Tohru's overly loud remark. He resumed talking, trying to schedule his study groups and tutorials.

Uo raised an eyebrow at the students who were practically throwing themselves at Yuki's feet for help in Calculus. "Hmm, looks like the Prince is certainly popular, and smart too."

Tohru finished putting her books inside her backpack as she replied, "Please, don't call him Prince. He's a lousy peeping tom!" She flashed an irritated look at Yuki, who was, annoyingly right as usual. There was a graded recitation in Calculus and she flunked it.

"Maybe he wasn't really staring at you in the bathroom," began Uo as they walked out of the room.

"Duh! He was standing there, gawking at me!" cried Tohru.

"Maybe his contact lens got fogged up and he was trying to determine whether or not you're a door or something..." suggested Uo.

Exasperated, "I don't think Sohma-kun wears contacts! And- do contacts fog up?" asked Tohru.

Uo shrugged. "No idea there. But I mean, with the color of his eyes- it's kinda hard to believe its a natural purple shade," said Uo as she pushed the cafe door open.

"Sohma-kun has lovely, natural purple eyes!" defended Tohru, emphasizing on the word natural.

Uo chuckled. "Did you just say lovely? The eyes of a guy whom you tell me every day, is a pervert, a room klutz, a cleaning disaster, a monster genius, a-" teased Uo, grinning.

Tohru covered her reddening cheeks. "Hey! It was just- WHOA!" she began before she walked into another person. She stumbled but was caught deftly by a pair of lean, masculine hands. Uo only sighed, Tohru's clumsiness was a natural phenomenon.

"Daijoubu?" asked the guy, his deep voice mesmerizing and full of concern. Tohru found herself looking up into an amazing pair of forest-green eyes. Those amazing eyes were also regarding her with the same interest and Tohru managed to say, "Hai... I'm all right."

Self-consciously, Tohru touched her hair. It was shorter now than her hairstyle in High School but it was still long and styled more fashionably, adorned with a single clip. She sneaked another look at the guy and confirmed her first look, the guy was absolutely gorgeous. In her fascination, she never noticed the people with the guy.

Green eyes twinkled down at Tohru. "Sorry about that... and would it be terribly bold if I buy you a mocha frappuccino to make up for bumping into you like that? And- may I know your name?" asked the guy with a disarming smile.

"Honda Tohru," said Tohru a little faintly, not noticing that Uo was exchanging greetings with the guy's friends.

The guy took her hand and held it warmly. "Nice to meet you Tohru-san. My name is Higurashi Ken."

Tohru snatched her hand away, her cheeks red. She still couldn't look directly at the guy. It was unnerving. She turned around and saw Uo talking to Ken's friends. She squinted, thinking that the red-headed guy with the pretty, brown-haired girl looked familiar.

"Tohru-san, forgive my manners, I seem to have forgotten to introduce you to my friends..." began Ken as Uo and the couple broke off their conversation. The red-head immediately stepped forward.

"I would like you to meet the Sohma's. This is Sohma Kyou and Sohma Kagura. Kyou is my classmate and Kagura is two years ahead of us and is his girlfriend..." introduced Ken with a grin towards Kyou.

Tohru flashed a huge smile at the pair, her eyes open and direct. "Yoroshiku," greeted Tohru as she extended her hand out to the two Sohma's. For a second, she hesitated, feeling as if more than a handshake should be given, especially to the girl but Kyou was already taking her hand, his grip startlingly familiar. She looked up quizzically at Kyou, her gaze questioning but Kyou seemed to be looking for something in her expression. He didn't seem to find it and his broad shoulders slumped slightly.

"Its very nice to meet you," said Kagura loudly, her smile bright and pretty but her eyes shimmered with an emotion Tohru can't understand. Tohru smiled back warmly at the girl.

Uo stepped forward and draped an arm over Tohru's shoulder. "All right kids, it's been nice meeting you and all but Tohru and I have a date with mocha frappes and pretzels. Ja ne," drawled Uo, watching Ken's expression fall. Tohru looked startled but she smiled and agreed with her friend. As the two girls turned to walk away, Ken stepped forward.

"Ano- Tohru-san..." began Ken, a small blush climbing his cheeks although he was still pretty confident.

"Nani?" asked Tohru, her cheeks flushing again at his attention.

Ken tugged on his earlobe as he spoke, "Well, I have a gig tonight with my band-"

"You have a band?" interrupted Uo, looking incredulous. But in a way, it kind of made sense. Ken's devastatingly good looks didn't seem to belong to a jock's and his voice was incredible.

"Yeah and I'm either the vocalist for some tunes or the guitarist. It really depends, we have a good female vocalist in the group too," explained Ken, gaining confidence with each word, his green eyes twinkling.

"Sugoi," said Tohru.

"So as I was saying, we'll be performing in a nearby restaurant bar. Maybe you could drop by? The entrance and the drinks are on me," invited Ken. He added, "Kyou-kun and Kagura-san will be there too."

"Right," said Kyou, frowning a little.

"Yup," echoed Kagura, her smile looking forced.

Tohru stiffened beside Uo, obviously not knowing what to say. Uo gave her friend a gentle pinch. She immediately smiled at Ken. "Um, we'll see. Uo-chan and I might be able to drop by if we finish the Calculus homework," answered Tohru.

Ken flashed a blinding smile. "Thanks," he said in English, his diction and pronunciation perfect. Tohru could have fainted then. He waved cheerfully before walking away, following Kyou and Kagura who were in deep conversation.

Tohru and Uo watched Ken and Kyou walking away and when the group was around 10 meters away, Tohru covered her mouth with her hands and squealed in excitement. "Was I dreaming that up?" asked Tohru incredulously as Uo smiled wryly beside her. Tohru hugged herself, wondering at the thrill she was feeling. She's never felt this way before in her life- well, at least, she can't remember feeling anything like this before! A gorgeous guy actually asked her out!

"No, probably not," answered Uo dryly as she began pulling her dazed friend along with her inside the cafe.

"I can't believe a guy would actually like me enough to ask me out- I mean," stammered Tohru.

Uo sighed. "Give me a break Tohru! Back then in High School, two-" Uo broke off, suddenly unable to think of what she was about to say. She frowned, wracking her brain for an information she was supposed to know. But Tohru seemed oblivious to her friend's lapse and seemed to be excited by the simple invitation. Tohru was a late bloomer it seems, when it comes to girl-guy relationships.

"Uo-chan, I forgot- I don't have anything to wear for tonight!" burst out Tohru a couple of minutes later when they were about to sit down. Uo groaned. "Come on Tohru, its not like a serious date or anything! Basically, if we go tonight, you'll just be sitting there and watching him perform. Frankly, it might be boring. Someone as good-looking as Ken-san might not be such a good singer," commented Uo.

Tohru glared. "Hey! That's mean- judging someone by his looks," scolded Tohru as she finished her chicken sandwich.

Uo threw up her hands in mock surrender. "I'm not judging, I'm assessing. And while I'm at it, what do you think will your roommate say when he finds out that technically, you're going out on a date with a gorgeous hunk of a man who just might rival His Princeliness," said Uo, her eyes twinkling.

Tohru waved her hand breezily. "I'm sure Sohma-kun wouldn't care. Or maybe he might even tell me that the guy is most likely a child molester or a street bum," answered Tohru her eyes darkening a bit.

Laughing, Uo nodded. She's seen Yuki and Tohru engage in the most unbelievable battle of wits and wills. It would be nice to see the fireworks later, which she felt sure would happen. There was an undeniable animosity between the pair and from Uo's point of view, chemistry and reluctant attraction as well. "Whatever, " replied Uo before biting into her tuna turnover.

Yuki choked silently behind his Physics notebook when Tohru announced that she accepted an invitation to go out with some guy. He turned purple from lack of air or maybe it was also from rage, because the silly girl had also met Kyou and Kagura! No doubt his meddling cousins has ogled Honda-san to their curious hearts' delight! He managed to say, "Er- that's very nice of him," he said before adding under his breath, "And unspeakably foolish."

"What did you say?" asked Tohru, glowering as she turned to look at Yuki who was reading in his bed.

"Moi?" echoed Yuki, batting his eyelashes innocently.

Tohru groaned. "That was ugly Sohma-kun! And don't deny it, I heard you say foolish," said Tohru as she turned her back to rummage in the cabinet for something to wear but she was smiling as she said that.

Yuki gazed speculatively at his roommate while her back was still turned. He had to admit that Honda-san was very pretty and she had the aura of an angel when she wasn't badgering or pestering him to death. Her eyes were such a nice shade of blue, it reminded him of a clear summer sky. She had a nice smile too and yes, he wouldn't have stared at her in the bathroom if he didn't find her so sexy. He frowned, trying to rein in his unruly thoughts.

"Ne, Sohma-kun, do you think this yellow dress would look good on me," asked Tohru as she turned around, holding a knee-length linen yellow sleeveless dress with a white collar.

Yuki looked at her and answered briefly, "Aa," before burying his nose in a book once more. Out of nowhere, a mental image of him holding out a yellow ribbon flashed in his mind. And he knew he was giving it to a very special girl. He grimaced, feeling a headache budding.

Tohru looked a little disappointed by his reply and she looked at her choice of apparel doubtfully. She shrugged and then cleared her throat loudly. "Ano, Sohma-kun I would like to ask you to leave the room because I want to dress up," Tohru said loudly.

He gave her an incredulous look. "What makes you think I'd move out? This is my room too," Yuki said.

There was a brief lull in the room. And then an explosion.

"HENTAI! " Trying to look at me while I'm dressing! Why, you oughta be ashamed-" began Tohru and as if right on cue, their dormitory mistress, Ukano-san knocked sharply on the door.

"Mr. Sohma, please behave yourself," sternly berated Ukano, making Yuki sit and up walk away from their room as if on fire.

"You're crazy!" exclaimed Yuki as he stomped angrily out the room, his Physics notebook in his arms. He gave Tohru a dirty look and said, "The guy who asked you out probably has much brains as a gnat."

"Whatever you say Mr. Rocket Scientist Ecchi!" Tohru yelled back when Yuki slammed their door close.

"Ooh! Everything's sooo exciting!" rhapsodized Ayame as he waltzed around Shigure's living room. The dog merely rolled his eyes at his cousin as he continued to listen to Kagura over the phone.

"So Tohru-kun doesn't remember anything at all?" asked Shigure one more time as he tapped his fingers.

On the other side of the line, Kagura answered, "Hai and Tohru-san doesn't seem to be all that different- I really can't understand why Yu-chan has labeled her his roommate from hell. She's still quite sweet and from what I've observed this afternoon, a head-turner."

"Tohru turns guys heads?" asked Momiji in alarm as he was eavesdropping on the extension.

"Baka! I meant that she's grown even prettier and there's an aura about her that's really quite appealing," scolded Kagura.

"Isn't it amazing that Yuki winds up as Honda-san's roommate when there are so many dormitories in Tokyo University? I think that's fate," commented Haru as he sat playing with Kisa.

"Gure-san! We must go to Tokyo U! I have to see my brother! I want to see how he's doing with Princess Tohru!" exclaimed Ayame as he popped up beside Shigure, waving his hands wildly.

Shigure shushed Ayame who refused to follow him as usual. So Shigure made his decision, "Thank you for calling home again Kagura. We really missed you. Hope you and Kyou-kun are doing okay living together-" began Shigure.

"Arigato Shigure-san," said Kagura in a choked voice, suddenly overcome by emotions.

"- and remember, safe sex is good sex," ended Shigure with a laugh.

Shigure put the phone down immediately, cutting off Kagura's explosion on the other line. He faced his cousins, a glint in his eye. With a slow drawl that forced everyone to listen, Shigure asked his audience, "Who's up for a weekend road-trip to Tokyo University?"

TBC

A/N: GAH! Gomen nasai for the very late update! I've been busy with some stuff and I've been coming up with a whole new Yukiru fic. So basically, this time this Yukiru fic is an AU and guess what- A MUSICAL! It's titled "Close To You" and will be coming out pretty soon. Basically, Furuba characters would be bursting into a song every scene or so and its really like Grease or Chicago.

So back to Beyond Forgetting, I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter coz there's more to come! Please review! Jo-chan would upload faster if my reviews reach 40+! Thanks and God bless! For any typo errors, please forgive me! It's quite hard for me on my schedule to check what I write. I could really use a beta-reader! Help!

Beyond Forgetting

Chapter 3- The Day The Sohma's Came

Jo-chan