Fruits Basket Fan Fiction / Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Neko's Healing ❯ Confessions ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket or Ranma.

 

For those wondering how Kyo out of his mother's house to meet Ranma--well, Akito is responsible for it, in a back-handed kind of way. I'm betting sometimes, when Akito would call for Kyo and take the neko's beads away to taunt him, Kyo would run away--especially at the beginning (can you say “panic attack??”)

 

I'm figuring the boys were roughly six, seven years old when they first meet--before Ukyo and the Neko-ken for Ranma, and before Kyo's mother's death. That first time, Ranma would have run away from Genma to cry in private; missing his mom, but not wanting to get beat on for being “unmanly.”

 

The second time they met, well...Akito and one of Genma's stupidest training ideas ever coincided, and Kyo is introduced to the Neko-ken.

 

After that, Kyo's mother died and he went to live with Kazuma, and simply spent a lotta time hiding out in the woods. The boys made arrangements for meeting whenever possible, and leaving messages for each other. Kyo's perfectly able to receive mail at his Shisho's dojo; Kazuma would be thrilled.

 

Getting letters to Ranma would be the tough part, Kyo'd likely have to simply leave them in a weather-proof container buried under a tree, or something. I'm betting Genma spent a lot of time wandering around in circles, as he tried to avoid the multitudes of people he was getting pissed at him.

 

Kids are creative; they'd have figured out a way that worked!

 

Enjoy!

 

10- Confessions

 

Feeling Akane's eyes on him, Ranma nodded at Kyo, not looking away from the thoughtful neko as he quietly said, “Kyo is the only living, fully sane Master of the Neko-ken.”

 

Akane gasped and stared in open-mouthed amazement at Kyo; as did Kazuma. Yuki, Shigure and Tohru looked between the martial artists in puzzlement, not understanding. `Neko-ken?' It sounded like some sort of martial arts style based around nekos, which would be logical for Kyo to learn; but why would it be so shocking for Kyo to have mastered it?

 

As Akane turned wide eyes to Kyo, Ranma caught sight of her expression, and chuckled. “Think about his curse, Akane. He didn't have to go through the regular training, like I did.”

 

Kazuma's eyes were suddenly riveted on Ranma. The karate master frowned, recalling what he knew of the now-forbidden training methods for that technique.

 

“Once he learned about focusing his ki, Kyo practically re-invented the technique all on his own.” Ranma's expression went bleak. “`Sides, the second time we met was right after I--picked up the technique; so he had a chance to see it.”

 

He fixed his eyes back on the neko, an aura of sadness about him as he continued for Akane's benefit, softly, “It wasn't really the old lady down the street that brought me back to bein' human; it was Kyo. We just didn't want Oyaji knowin' I'd found a friend...I figured the old fool would just try to keep us apart, after the way he took me away from Ukyo, an' Ryoga, an' every body else he ever saw me getting' friendly with. Kyo's been workin' with me for years, to find a way to keep my mind human when I--go into it.”

 

Kazuma was now staring at Ranma with dismay, and a touch of anger. “Who, in the name of all the kamis, was fool enough to teach you the Neko-ken?!!”

 

Akane pursed her lips, fists clenching in her lap. Ranma looked down at the floor as his fiancée answered for him, murder in her eyes, “His baka father, that's who!!”

 

Yuki, Shigure and Tohru had no idea what the Neko-ken training might involve; but none of them had ever seen Kazuma-sensei emit a battle-aura before. Even Kyo had never seen his perpetually level-headed Shisho do that! Everyone but the other advanced martial artists edged carefully away from Kazuma as a soft, pale red glow seemed to mist the air about him, a look of absolute, cold fury settling over his normally serene features.

 

This was enough to break Kyo out of his introspection. He glanced up at his foster father, and sighed. “Shisho--Ranma won't let you kill the damned panda. I've already offered. That isn't even the worst the fat bastard's ever done to him.” Grim red eyes met startled charcoal for a moment, as the battle aura dissipated from pure surprise. Worse--than the Neko-ken training?! “The baka's his dad. Ranma won't let the old man hurt anybody else, ever again; but he won't let anybody kill him, either--no matter how much the old bastard deserves it.”

 

Shigure's eyes were as wide as Yuki's and Tohru's, but he found his voice first. “Excuse me, but--just what's so awful about this Neko-ken training?”

 

Ranma stared blankly at the center of the table, as if he was trying to bore a hole there with his gaze alone. Akane gripped his hand tightly in both of hers as she grimly started the explanation, anger at Saotome Genma clear in her face and voice.

 

Kyo caught Tohru's eyes, and nodded towards the kitchen as he said, softly so only she could hear, “We need to talk.” He figured now was the best time, while Ranma and Akane were describing the Neko-ken training. Tohru would likely have nightmares, if she heard too many details of what Ranma had been put through; he didn't want that!

 

She nodded, looking hesitantly at the others as they listened intently to the start of the tale, then quickly stood with Kyo and walked to the relative privacy of the kitchen. Once there, she settled in a chair at the table, as Kyo leaned one hip against the counter, arms crossed and face troubled.

 

“Tohru. I--“ He took a deep breath, obviously having difficulty with whatever he wanted to say to her. She kept her eyes on him, patient, watching as he closed his eyes and dropped his head for a moment. When he looked up, his unique red eyes were somewhat sad.

 

“I've been thinking about--what Akane said, about those Amazons. It--doesn't sound like all that bad of an idea...but--I--“ He swallowed, hard. “I think you and I have to talk a bit, before I decide if I should do it, or not.”

 

Tohru blinked, confused. “You and I? Kyo-kun...?”

 

Kyo grimaced, briefly rubbing his face with one hand. He looked straight into her wide chocolate eyes, mustered every drop of courage he'd ever had, and said in a slightly shaky voice, “I think I've been falling in l--love--with you, for a while now, Tohru.”

 

There was a vulnerability in his eyes that Tohru had never seen there before. Then his words sank in; chocolate eyes widened impossibly, her heart beating slightly faster. “...m-m-me??” Her voice was barely a squeak.

 

Kyo scowled. “Why not you?! You're the most generous, caring, sweetest person--“ He stopped, face flaming redder than his eyes, then abruptly turned around to lean both arms on the countertop, ducking his head to hide his embarrassment. “Ahhh, geeze...!”

 

A warm feeling grew in Tohru's chest at his words. She smiled and stood, walking over to put one delicate hand on Kyo's back. “Kyo-kun is sweet to say such things...”

 

“They're true, damnit.” The muffled, growly tone didn't bother Tohru in the least, since she'd learned to judge his tempers long ago. She knew it was from embarrassment at showing what he thought of as weakness, not any intent to harm her. Her smile grew softer as he continued, “I--c-care the world for you, Tohru...but I don't know--if it's the kind of caring a guy gets towards the girl he wants to marry...or if it's--like--family-type. Like--if you were my little sister. I've never--really had anything to compare it to. I--I just--I don't know!”

 

Tohru wrapped her hands about his upper arm, leaning her cheek against his shoulder, the warm feeling deepening and spreading throughout her whole body. “Kyo-kun...I care for you a great deal, too.” Her smile drifted into a look of sad remembrance. “Mom...she once said, there is a way to tell if the love you have for someone is true love, or--or, say, sibling love.” She blushed redder than Kyo at what she was about to say. “She said--“ She cleared her throat, taking a deep breath. “Mom said that when you find the one you want to marry, that you'll want to be with them, all the time, no matter what; that being apart would cause you pain, in your heart.” She pressed one hand to her chest, her eyes gazing into the past.

 

“And...” Tohru's blush was nearly nuclear, now--it was a wonder Kyo's arm wasn't burning! “Sh-she said...uhm...that...th-that there's a--ph-ph-physical y-y-yearning, too. That--you'll want to, to t-t-touch--“

 

By this point, Kyo had pretty much gotten the idea that Honda Kyoko had been trying to get across to her daughter, and his blush easily matched Tohru's. Between the two of them, their blushes could probably light up all of Tokyo for a month... “Ahhh--I-I think I get the idea.” He cleared his throat, even as Tohru did; they both suddenly burst out in laughter, pulling apart a bit to control their reactions.

 

Kyo looked deep into Tohru's wide, amazingly kind brown eyes, realizing that for all he thought of her...he'd only ever fantasized about actually kissing her a couple times, let alone going any farther--and that had been early on. Before she'd--seen his true form for the first time, and actually accepted it as a part of him. Before she'd told him she still wanted to be his friend, even with--that part of his curse.

 

Since that time, his feelings for her had changed. They'd gotten deeper, yes--but, with Kyoko's words echoing in his head along with all the other voices that he usually was trying to block out, he finally realized that he truly did love Honda Tohru like a little sister. Someone to protect and take care of; to talk with...

 

Tohru was staring back at him with a soft, accepting gaze, smiling that wonderful smile of hers. He had to know--how did she feel about him? If it turned out she loved him--that way...it would make a difference, in his choice. He couldn't ever hurt Tohru; if she said she wanted to marry him--he was sure his feelings could deepen in that direction, with a little time. Knowledge of the fate Akito intended for him had long kept him from even daring to make friends, much less fall completely in love with a girl; it would be too painful, loosing her completely when he was locked up. That was likely the only thing that had kept him from falling completely for her before then.

 

But if she loved him... Ranma was there, and determined to keep Kyo free. He'd sworn it, on his honor, when he first found out about Kyo's “bet” with Akito. And Saotome Ranma had never broken his word in his life! Kyo couldn't doubt he'd find a way.

 

“Tohru. Do you...I mean, can...uhm...” Kyo blushed as he stuttered his way through asking. Luckily, Tohru had figured out what he wanted to know.

 

“Kyo-kun...I...” Her eyes watered a bit, touched by sadness. “I love Kyo-kun like the brother I've never had. I know Kyo-kun would protect me from anything, and do anything I needed--and I think Kyo-kun has the same kind of feelings for me. I feel safe around Kyo-kun.” Her smile returned full-force when she saw him smile his rare and beautiful true smile at her. She relaxed without even realizing how tense she'd become.

 

“I--I don't want Kyo-kun to be l-locked up. I wouldn't--feel jealous, or anything, if Kyo-kun decided to, to marry this Amazon, Shampoo. I'd be--s-so happy for Kyo-kun--!” She tried hard not to sniffle, even as a tear of mixed happiness and sadness slid down her cheek. She couldn't even think about what Kyo-kun would suffer, locked away from everyone and everything--the mere thought horrified her beyond words. It would be worse than dying, for Kyo-kun!

 

If this Amazon could save him from that, she wanted him to marry her--even if it meant she might still never see him again, if it turned out he had to go back to China with her. At least he'd have a chance to live his life; to be happy!

 

Kyo set his hands on her shoulders and leaned his forehead against hers, still smiling; eyes closed. Relief was washing through him, along with a sense of hope like he'd never had before. He dropped a soft kiss to her forehead before letting her go, saying softly, “Arigato, Tohru.” Red eyes were suspiciously watery in their relief.

 

Tohru smiled up at him, brown eyes downright teary. She nodded towards the other room, where sounds of argument had risen, then died down, and looked questioningly at him. Kyo nodded and led the way back to the others, the both of them first wiping carefully at their faces to be sure no tears showed.

 

Yuki and Shigure wore identical stunned expressions. Kazuma was tight-lipped and tense as he stood behind them, staring at the floor as he tried to get himself under control again as Akane looked on sympathetically, biting her lip. Ranma still had his head down; his hands were fisted at his sides. Kyo smirked sadly as he realized the argument had likely involved talking the Sohmas out of visiting painful retribution upon one Saotome Genma.

 

Ranma and Akane looked solemnly over as Kyo and Tohru returned. Kyo went straight over to Ranma and said, simply, “I'll do it.”

 

It took a second for Ranma to realize what Kyo was talking about; then a look of relief passed across his face, followed quickly by guilt. Kyo smirked at him, one eyebrow raised as he said, “I think it'll work out for the best--for both of us.” His eyes flickered over to Tohru and back to Ranma, who caught the glance. “I don't--have anybody else I'm interested in marrying, after all.” Red eyes looked briefly to Akane, then stared calmly into troubled blue, conveying a sense of peace with the decision.

 

Ranma slowly nodded, keeping the eye lock, understanding. “As long as you're sure. I don't want you choosing this unless it's what you really, truly want to do.”

 

Kyo's smirk turned into a real smile. He knew how much Ranma hated having his choices taken away; the pig-tailed martial artist wouldn't willingly do that to someone else. “Yeah. Don't worry about it.”

 

“Kyo-o-o-o-o-kun, does this mean you're getting married?! Is our neko going to settle down with someone other than our little flower!?”

 

<WHAM!!><thunk...> Everyone but Kyo sweat-dropped, as Yuki slowly lowered his fist. Kazuma sighed and shook his head sadly as he stared at the twitching tangle of limbs and yukata on the floor; would the inu never learn?! Then he turned to his son, who was glaring sourly at the felled inu. “Kyo, are you sure?”

 

Kyo met his foster-father's gaze, letting a rare, pleased smile spread across his face, and nodded. “If it works, it could solve a bunch of people's problems. I won't get locked up; Ranma will get rid of at least one unwanted fiancée; Shampoo won't be punished for her failure to get Ranma...not to mention if the Amazons can help with getting rid of our damned curse...”

 

Kazuma sighed, after staring searchingly into Kyo's eyes for several minutes. Then he nodded. “All right. I'll help you with this.” He looked at Ranma and Akane. “When can we meet with these Amazons?”

 

It took them about ten minutes to decide that everyone could go to the Amazons' restaurant, the Nekohanten, the next afternoon. It was a Saturday, so school was only a half day; that would have them arriving just after the lunch rush, with plenty of time before the dinner crowd started. Matriarch Cologne should have plenty of time to talk to them.

 

Kazuma only had one advanced student scheduled at his dojo, first thing in the morning; his assistant could easily handle the beginners later in the day. The five teenagers really needed to attend their classes, even if Saturdays were only half days. Shigure, of course, would only be coming up with ways to torment his poor editor; disappearing for the afternoon was just fine with him.

 

Kyo confronted the inu straight-out about whether he'd tell Akito what they were doing. Ranma and Akane watched in concern with everyone else, though only Ranma really understood everyone else's worry. Akane had already guessed that the Sohma Clan Head was--not a nice person; she guessed that Kyo might at the least be forbidden to go, if this Akito caught wind of it before-hand.

 

Yuki and Kyo were the only two to really, personally understand just exactly what Akito was capable of, if...offended; even more than Kazuma, or even Shigure. They were the tensest people in the room, eyes fixed on a suddenly solemn inu.

 

Shigure looked down at his feet, frowning slightly. When he looked up there was no trace of the usual affable, clownish hentai they were used to. His dark eyes were hard and sharp, boring directly into Kyo's. His expression was cold, and almost distant; but at the same time, determined.

 

He was almost scary to look at. It was about as big a difference as between a tiny little mop of a lap-dog puppy with a big voice, and a full-grown Doberman preparing to attack or defend. Or...almost...like the usual difference between Shigure--and Akito...

 

This was a Shigure without any pretenses.

 

“Kyo-kun. I swear to you, I will not tell Akito anything that has happened since yesterday morning. I will lie, if I must.” His voice dropped, softening to a whisper as his dark eyes, never wavering from Kyo's, went gentle. “I agree with Yuki-kun; you should not be locked up. I will do what I can to prevent it.” His words were unusually formal.

 

The neko swallowed, hard, at the lump that suddenly gathered in his throat. A quick tremor rippled through his muscles in a wave. Shigure still held his gaze, unblinking; the inu's determination unwavering.

 

Reactions to Shigure's statement were various combinations of shock, stunned incredulity, pleasure; bewilderment...and guarded hope. Kyo's eyes remained steady as he gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. The neko wasn't sure any of the others realized just exactly what Shigure was telling them; but he wasn't about to draw attention to it.

 

When all was said and done--the Inu no Jyuunishi had just stated that his loyalty was not to Akito, as they had always thought. Kyo believed Shigure's words, because of his own curse--nekos could sense the truthfulness in people, after all. It was part of what kept Kyo annoyed, all the time...he knew exactly when people were lying, about so many things; both important, and not. Even when they didn't need to; even when they did it for purely selfish reasons, that truly benefited no one--including themselves.

 

They all agreed to meet at Furinkan High School over in Nerima district, right after school let out. Ranma would lead the way to the Nekohanten, where they would see if they could convince Matriarch Cologne that a willing Kyo was a much better `catch' for her great-granddaughter than an unwilling Ranma.

 

Ranma and Akane said their farewells and left for the Tendo-ke, Ranma with a bit of hope in his eyes. Or rather, her eyes; the first tree the pig-tailed martial artist walked beneath dumped about a bucket-worth of cold water on him, immediately activating his curse. The red-head paused long enough to cast a venomous glare up at the branches as her fiancée hid a giggle behind her hand, then stripped the water from her hair and shirt, shaking away the excess.

 

The pig-tailed martial artist shrugged and continued walking, with a rather large sigh. It wasn't worth the effort to go back for hot water--there was still the whole forest to get through, not to mention the two districts to cross before they got home. He'd be a she again within ten minutes.

 

Kazuma reluctantly left to return to his dojo, clearly wishing he had an excuse to stay for the night. He didn't wish to leave his son's side until Kyo's safety was assured, but Shigure managed to convince him to go home and at least try to get a decent night's sleep. There was no doubt the karate master would be back the very instant he was done with his morning student.

 

Shigure quietly retreated into his office, heading straight for his computer; still with that unusual, soberly determined air about him. Yuki and Kyo watched him go, both feeling like the world was slightly out of kilter. Tohru suddenly realized how late it was and almost panicked, hopping about, her arms waving madly. She bid the boys a good night, and hurried up the stairs, as they stared after her with identical bemused expressions.

 

-.-.-.-

 

Kyo sighed, his expression going melancholy even as Yuki turned to watch him. The nezumi frowned slightly, trying to determine if Kyo had been lying about one very important thing. He'd noticed that the neko had drawn Honda-san into the kitchen, before announcing he would agree to a marriage to that Shampoo person; he was certain it hadn't been only to keep her from hearing the full details of that--that horrible Neko-ken training. The nezumi was moderately worried about how that talk had gone.

 

The neko noticed his scrutiny when Yuki sighed. The boys stared at each other for a few minutes, unsure about what to say. They'd spent too many years sniping and fighting each other; neither was certain how to deal with having a simple conversation between them.

 

Finally, Kyo sighed once more, this time in resignation, dropping his head. He unenthusiastically waved one arm for Yuki to have a seat back on the couch.

 

“I suppose we'd better talk a bit, before tomorrow...” The neko's face was extremely tired when he raised his head, bags already starting to form under bloodshot eyes. His voice was somewhat hoarse from weariness.

 

Yuki hesitated a moment, unsure; it looked like Kyo needed his sleep a great deal more than the nezumi needed to talk to him. The neko was wavering very slightly as he stood. It was nearly a miracle the neko had lasted through Ranma and Akane's visit--especially considering how hard it had been to pry him back out of bed, when they first arrived.

 

Then Kyo's look turned to a glare, his hands going to his hips as his face showed exasperation. A small smile quirked at one side of Yuki's mouth as the nezumi moved to lead the way upstairs, to Kyo's room. He figured he could at least let his cousin lie down while they talked.

 

Kyo started off the conversation before Yuki had even settled himself on the floor by the neko's futon. “No, I really don't want to marry Tohru; she's like a little sister to me. Yes, I'm serious about this Amazon marriage thing--just the chance to cure the curse is worth checking into! And don't you dare treat my healing you like some holy act of the kamis, or something!!”

 

Yuki flinched back in surprise at the fierceness of that red glare as Kyo all but loomed over him. Kyo went on, voice soft but intense, “It was my choice; I figured it was better than what Akito has planned for me, so no, I wasn't sacrificing all that damned much for you!! Hell, I'd've done it for that damned hentai inu, if he'd been hurt like that--or even your baka brother!”

 

The nezumi stared directly into Kyo's angry eyes for a while, his throat feeling thick and his eyes burning...watching as the fierceness first wavered, then melted away completely, to be replaced by a confusing mix of emotions that Yuki couldn't begin to decipher. Kyo's head finally bowed as Yuki remained silent, and the neko finally sat, heavily, on his futon; resting his elbows on drawn-up knees, fingers laced over his head. Yuki slowly moved to kneel by him, settling back on his heels, one hand carefully resting on the neko's shoulder.

 

When Kyo said he'd have done the same for Shigure, or even Ayame...Yuki didn't take that to mean that it didn't matter to Kyo who he was helping, as the neko seemed to be trying to convince him. The nezumi understood it to mean that his cousin cared about his family, all of them, more than he'd ever be willing to admit. In spite of how they'd all treated him over the years--Kyo cared.

 

It was only a few minutes before the first tremor rippled through the wiry muscles under Yuki's hand. A moment later, the first choked-off sound of pain escaped Kyo's lips; soon, his shoulders were shaking with the force of his muffled sobs. Yuki bit his lip, both sad at Kyo's pain, and happy that the neko was allowing him to see it--and at least try to help. Before the healing, Kyo would never have dreamed of showing such weakness, in front of anyone...and it wouldn't have even occurred to Yuki, that the neko was suffering so.

 

Yuki found that more than anything, he wanted to be real friends with Kyo. The neko had already proven more trustworthy than his own brother; Kyo hadn't turned away from Yuki, even when Akito did everything he could to enforce it. The neko had found creative ways to help his friend, in spite of the dangers of discovery--Akito would have locked Kyo up immediately, if he'd even suspected what the neko was doing!

 

Ayame...simply hadn't bothered to find time for his little brother, when Yuki had needed him. The hebi had just--turned away, when Yuki reached out to him. His current efforts to get closer to his little brother seemed to Yuki to stem more from a guilty conscience, than from any real caring on his older brother's part, no matter what others tried to convince him of. He hadn't seen any actions from Ayame that would convince him differently, yet. The hebi was too wrapped up in himself to spare much attention towards being truly supportive of anyone else.

 

Seeing that Kyo wasn't going to pull away from him, and was likely going to be a while venting a great deal of suppressed emotion, Yuki hesitantly edged close enough to wrap an arm about his cousin's shoulders. His other hand pressed the neko's laced fingers as the nezumi leaned his forehead against the soft orange hair, much as Tohru had done earlier.

 

As Kyo's emotions got the better of him and he slumped, Yuki tightened the hug, pulling the neko close, his own eyes tearing.

 

Tomorrow was going to be a very trying day...it was better if they both got this out of their systems before then. Kyo, especially, was going to need to keep his wits about him.

 

-.-.-.-

 

Some folks think Shigure's a manipulating bastich, some think he's actually a sweetheart down deep. Being an Inu-year person myself is probably part of why I've taken a bit of a shine to the baka hentai; I fit the classic descriptions of Inus pretty bleedin' close, and can understand some of his possible motivations. I've decided that for this particular fanfic, I want him to be a good guy in disguise. Maybe in a future fanfic I'll make him nastier...

 

Actually, I tend to want most characters to be good guys, `in disguise'--it's just that a lot of them forget how to get out of disguise, and sometimes don't have anybody willing to help them figure it out. And anyway, straight old evil bad guys are just plain boring! How can you emote with pure evilness?