Tulips for a Tiger

On a gentle autumn afternoon, a bird perched on a willow tree. The gentle swaying of the tree started to lull it into a sleep, when a sudden nearby uproar caused the bird to take flight.

"WHAT THE HECK DO YOU MEAN BY THAT, YOU DARN BRAT!"

Hiro Sohma sighed, annoyed. "Jeez, can't you figure that out on your own? Or is the cat also cursed with a total lack of intelligence?"

"DON'T BACK TALK ME, KID! IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT WE HAVE TO WALK TO SCHOOL WITH YOU, WITHOUT YOUR SMART insert a-word COMMENTS!"

Hiro grinned his usual smirk, and folded his arms. "Oh yah! And what are you going to do about it? Don't bother threatening me violence. You still can't beat Yuki…".

"SHUT UP!"

"Hey, are you two coming or not", Yuki interjected. Turning around, he was not surprised to see Kyo had the brown haired kid by the shirt collar and had lifted him a few feet off of the ground. Never the less, he still shook his head. "You really shouldn't pick a fight before we go to school, you stupid cat. You'll get your uniform bloody…".

"Like I need to hear from you, rat boy!". Despite his comment, he loosened his grip on Hiro's shirt, and the sarcastic kid dropped to the ground, landing on his feet.

Dusting himself off, Hiro smirked. "Really, Kyo, that's just sad. I thought MAYBE you'd actually go through with your threat this time…but I suppose you HAVE to listen to your precious Yuki…".

Kyo's face displayed a look of horror as what Hiro had just said sank in. "My…WHAT!"

Hiro just continued walking. Before he caught up with the group, he turned back to a certain shocked, carrot top guy, and smirked a final time. Ignoring Kyo's sudden burst of out rage from behind him, Hiro scanned the group of people he now found himself in. Walking in front of him was Momiji Sohma, practically skipping along the sidewalk, chattering happily to a somewhat silent Yuki Sohma. As their names might imply, Hiro was related to these two. He was also related to his current stalker, Kyo, who looked as though he was about to pull Hiro limb from limb. To his left walked the tall, silent figure of Hatsuharu. Also a Sohma, Haru was generally found deep in thought, unless provoked. Turning his head to his right, Hiro's eyes finally rested on Kisa Sohma. A small smile found it's way to his lips, and the young boy's heart skipped a beat. Ever since they had been little, Kisa and Hiro had been nearly inseparable. Although they were related, Kisa was a distant cousin to Hiro, not even close family. This made it easier for him to think of her maybe as a little more than just a friend.

Hiro was going to say something to her, but she seemed a bit preoccupied at the time. Tilting his head a little farther to see who the distracter was, Hiro's eyes narrowed. Great, it was the Honda girl. Hiro shouldn't have been surprised. Ever since Kisa and Tohru had met, they had instantly formed a sisterly bond. From then on, wherever Tohru went, Kisa could be found not far behind. "This never would have happened if you had been there for Kisa when she was being picked on, if she hadn't needed someone to listen to her", Hiro told himself. His fists curled up into balls, his muscles tightening. Looking at Kisa, he saw the little girl laughing along with Tohru. His fists uncurled. Although he hated to admit it, Kisa's friendship with Tohru had really done Kisa a world of good. She was able to smile again, able to laugh again, thanks to a certain young woman.

Arriving at an intersection, the group stopped. "Well", Tohru said. "I guess this is where we turn. Have a good day at school Kisa…Hiro…".

Kisa smiled happily at Tohru, causing the high school girl to squeal. Kisa was so cute! Bending over, Tohru gave Kisa a big hug, causing Hiro to roll his eyes.

Grabbing her bag, Tohru stood up. "Well, I'll see you after school!" With that she turned to walk with Yuki, who had waited for her while the group continued walking.

Looking across the street, Hiro saw the path they had to take. A sudden blur of traffic blanketed his view, and he focused his eyes on the on coming vehicles. The occasional car cruised past them. Waiting for the opportune moment, Hiro turned to Kisa. "Kisa, when I say go, we'll run across the street, okay?".

The young girl turned her head to look at him, and smiled. "Okay!"

Turning his attention back to the street, he saw a break in traffic. As he prepared himself to run, he felt Kisa's fingers entwine themselves with his as she grasped his hand. Hiro turned a deep shade of red. "Alright…GO!" They took off, just narrowly avoiding a mini van. Finally, reaching the other side. Slowing down to a walk again, the two continued holding hands.

That is, until Hiro noticed. Pulling his hand from Kisa's grasp, he blushed again, and shoved his hands in his pockets.

After a few minutes of silence, Kisa turned to the shy boy next to her. "H…Hiro…", she started, stuttering. "Umm…would it be alright if you picked me up after school?"

Hiro started to answer, when Kisa continued.

"It…it's just…that, well, things haven't been going very well at school lately…and…and I was wondering if you would drop by the junior high to walk home with me…".

Hiro was surprised. From what he had last heard, things were going well. But, then again, gossip at school was a flimsy thing, and could change instantly. By the sounds of it, the school rumors had shifted back to focusing on Kisa and her appearance. Hiro gritted his teeth. People could be so mean! Why do they have to pick on others, just because someone looks or acts different? Looking over at Kisa's silent figure next to him, Hiro felt his heart melt with sympathy. "Especially some one as innocent as Kisa…". Realizing that Kisa was nervously awaiting an answer, Hiro started. "Oh! Ah…sure Kisa".

The young girl smiled happily at her life long friend. Even though Hiro was an incredibly cold and sarcastic person on the outside, Kisa knew that under all that sarcasm there was a kind hearted boy…a boy who cared about her…

Not long afterward, the pair found themselves in front of the junior high. "Well, I guess I'll see you after school", Hiro said, his hands still in his pockets.

"Okay", Kisa replied, still smiling. She watched as Hiro took off in the direction of the elementary school. Turning back, he waved at her. Smiling, she waved back.

Once he was out of sight, she turned to face the school. Her small smile quickly vanished. Ahead of her lay a tall, foreboding building, one that had always scared her, and continued to scare her. It wasn't so much the school that she feared, but the people inside it. Even now, as she slowly approached it, she could see a group of girls sitting on the steps, whispering and looking her way. Clutching her backpack straps, she took a deep breath, and proceeded up the steps and into the building.