Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ Sleepless in Sohma House ❯ Oh, By the Way, Kyo's a Cat! ( Chapter 21 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Yuki_The_Rat 
Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Comedy | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 12.20.2003 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 741 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: Fruits Basket Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Comedy | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 12.20.2003 | Pages: 4 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 741 | Status: Completed
Disclaimer: I do not own Fruits Basket or it's characters. It belongs to Takaya Nasuki. Yuki too, and since one person is obviously confused about the concept… I am not trying to be Takaya Nasuki. This is Fan Fiction. Which means, it’s a labor of love. It’s supposed to be fun. It is what it is, it is not the anime/manga, and as such, the character’s are not going to be exactly like the anime/manga. So lighten up!
Hello everyone: Well first off let me say to all of you who are still with me, I LOVE YOU!!!!!! BIG HUGS!!!!! BIG KISSES!!! BIG THANK YOU! I hope you like this chapter.
Read on…
Sleepless in Sohma House
PART TWENTY ONE - OH, BY THE WAY, KYO’S A CAT
SHIGURE *
Shigure let out a huge, satisfied, yawn as he stepped into his bedroom. It was turning out to be a truly fine day. Aya had just went out to pick Shigure up some lovely jellybuns. Kagura was handling the housework, though she did seem to be concentrating on Kyo’s room exclusively. Best of all, Shigure had just turned in his latest manuscript, after first teasing his editor for two weeks straight, and now it was time for a nice long nap.
Or so he thought….
“THAT BASTARD!” Kagura hollered at the top of her lungs, followed closely by, “WHO IS THIS? WHO IS SHE? I’LL KILL HER!” and then Kyo’s futon smashed through the wall and into Shigure’s bedroom.
“Kagura?” Shigure asked, staring through his bedroom wall. “Why are you destroying my house?”
“KYO’S CHEATING ON ME!“ Kagura answered furiously, and picked up Kyo’s large dresser in her two dainty hands.
“Kyo’s doing what? Wait, stop, put that down. No, Don‘t!” Shigure pleaded. Too late. The petite girl tossed the dresser, angrily, through the bedroom window, demolishing another wall in the process.
Taking his life in his hands, but wanting to savage what was left of his house, Shigure rushed into Kyo’s room, and backhanded Kagura, forcefully. This did the trick, Kagura immediately snapped out of it.
“Shigure.” Kagura said, abruptly composed. “Who is this girl?” She held a small framed photo out for Shigure to examine.
“Who? That’s Tohru’s friend. Where ever did you find that photo?”
“Under Kyo’s pillow!” Kagura answered, her eyes squinting into two angry flares. She grabbed her cousin and started shaking him violently. “Why would Kyo keep a girls picture there? In his bedroom? In his bed? Why Shigure? Why? Why? Why?”
“Kagura, you have to calm down.” Shigure told her, pulling out of her grasp, and backing away to a safer distance. “I am sure Kyo has a perfectly good explanation for why he is keeping a photo of a girl under his pillow. It couldn’t possibly mean that he’s in love with her.” Shigure insisted, unable to hide a small, amused, smile.
“He’s not?” Kagura wondered, looking up at her cousin, trying to determine if he was lying. “He had better not be.”
“He’s not, really, he loves only you. He told me, so please stop killing my house.” Shigure lied unconvincingly.
Downstairs, the phone had begun to ring.
“I’ll get it. It’s Kyo.” Kagura decided, and rushed past Shigure and out of the room.
Shaking his head, Shigure followed her downstairs. If it was, indeed, Kyo on the phone he would need to protect the first floor.
MOMIJI *
Hanging up Hatori’s office phone, Momiji put his hand up to his phone call ear, and gently massaged at the pain that Kagura‘s screeching had caused. ‘Wow, Kagura was pissed off. Poor Kyo, I had better warn him.” Momiji told himself. “Shigure must be going insane. From the way it sounded, Kagura was ripping the entire house apart. I probably shouldn’t have told Kagura that Kyo was here, at the main house, waiting for word on Akito’s condition. Yes, that probably wasn’t too smart.” Momiji decided, and shrugged it off. “Oh well, I can’t take it back now. I better go see how Tohru is doing.”
Sliding open the office door, Momiji headed toward the Main House.
HATORI *
Stepping into Akito’s sunlit bathroom, Hatori turned on the faucet, and soaped up his hands. Behind him, a heavily medicated Akito slept soundly. Rinsing his hands, and shutting off the water, Hatori stared at himself in the mirror. He didn’t like what he saw.
’I didn’t notice.’ He reprimanded himself. ‘I’ve been negligent in my duties. I believed Akito when he claimed that he felt fine, even though I’m his doctor, I knew better. I, foolishly, trusted in the power of love. It was because of her. Because I believed in her. I believed that the girl could heal him, as if Tohru Honda held some strange enchantment that could magically lift Akito’s curse. I have been foolish. It cannot happen again.’
Drying his hands, Hatori walked from the bathroom, and into Akito’s sitting room. Gazing out the window, he spotting his three cousins, Yuki, Kyo and Haru sitting on the grass near the riverbed. Even under these dire circumstances, Yuki did not chose to enter the main house, if it could be helped; and of course, Kyo knew that the cat wasn’t welcome. Down the hall, in the music room, Tohru and her two girl friends were waiting for word of Akito’s condition. Presently, Momiji should be using the office phone to call Shigure to pick them up. The girls shouldn’t be here. Hatori decided, and unless Tohru planned on marrying Akito in the very near future, she was not needed either. Akito was to be married, either to Tohru or to another. Hatori had a job to do, and he could no longer ignore it. Taking a deep breath, Hatori headed for the music room.
MOMIJI *
Momiji ran down the hallway towards the music room. Shigure would be here to pick them up soon, and Momiji wanted to spend a little more time with Tohru, before he left. As her rounded the corner he ran right smack into Hatori.
“Momiji!” Hatori lectured sternly, “You know better then to run in the house. It is an exceptionally bad idea, considering that we have guests at the moment.”
“I’m sorry.” Momiji apologized, what was up with that? Just when he thought Hatori was getting an actual personality. “Ha’ri, is Akito going to be alright? He‘s not going to die is he?” Momiji asked, and followed the doctor into the music room where Tohru waited with her two friends.
“Hatori?” Tohru looked up, with tears in her eyes. “Akito, is he?”
“Akito needs rest. He has been overexerting himself lately. As you know, Tohru, Akito is not well. We would all do well to keep that in mind. Akito has been pushing himself too much lately, and we need to watch what he eats. It‘s best that he follows the diet that I outlined for him.” Hatori told them, focusing his words directly upon Tohru, before turning to his young cousin. “Momiji, did you call Shigure?”
“He’s on his way.” Momiji answered, wanting to ask more questions, but knowing that he couldn’t. Not while Hana and Uo were around.
“Can I see him?” Tohru asked timidly. “Can I see Akito now, Hatori?”
Hatori glanced at the girl, she looked a mess. Her eyes were bright red from crying, and her hair and clothes were still damp from the sprinkler incident. Hatori felt his heart soften, momentarily, before he hardened it again. “You may see him, later. He is sleeping now. You need to change into some dry clothes, before you do I would like a word with you. Take a moment, and say goodbye to Momiji and your girlfriends. I’ll be waiting in the library.”
YUKI *
“What am I even doing here?” Kyo complained for at least the tenth time.
“Annoying us, obviously.” Yuki replied sarcastically.
“Whatever, I’m going inside.” Kyo decided.
“You sure you want to do that, Kyo. You’re not exactly welcome.” Yuki informed him.
“I don’t want to do it, but I sure the hell don’t plan on waiting out here all day.” Kyo growled, and headed towards the main house.
“He‘s such an idiot. He knows that he‘s not allowed in the main house.” Yuki grumbled to Haru.
“Well, Yuki, maybe he just wants to see Tohru.” Haru pointed out. “Or Uo.”
“Uo? What are you kidding? Those two can’t stand each other.” Yuki griped, picking a small pink flower out of grass and slowly tearing off it’s tiny petals. “I just hope that he isn’t going to pester Miss Honda. She is very upset, and doesn’t need that damn cat making things any harder on her.”
“There you go again.” Haru said in annoyance, turning his back to Yuki, and angrily tossing a stone towards the river. “Don’t you ever think of anything else?”
“What?” Yuki asked, with a frown. He was having such a hard time understanding Haru. One moment he loved him, the next moment he was attacking him. It made absolutely no sense, and Yuki hated it. “Why are you acting this way, Haru?”
“What do you mean?” Haru wondered still looking away.
“Like you hate me, right now. Like you loved me, two weeks ago. You tell me that I am making you crazy, but have you even stopped to consider what I’m feeling?” Yuki asked, and fought his desire to touch Haru’s hand. ‘No, it will just piss him off if I touch him.’ Yuki realized, and busied his hands by tearing apart another innocent flower. “Haru, I seem to remember you telling me that you would wait for me. Wait until I figured out how I felt. Why did you say that? Was it a lie?”
“I’d never lie to you, Yuki.” Haru mumbled, and slowly turned to face his cousin. “I would wait. I’d wait forever.”
“So, if you really feel that way, Haru? Then why did you attack Miss Honda? Why are you treating me like I’ve done something hurtful to you? What did Miss Honda ever do to hurt you? What have I done?” Yuki asked gently.
“You…” Haru started, and turned away again. He felt he would cry if he continued looking into Yuki’s eyes. “You broke my heart, Yuki, but her… it was worse what she did. Tohru broke yours.”
“I…” Yuki began, but before he could reply, they were distracted by the sound of voices heading their way. Tohru’s friends were walking toward them, followed by Momiji and Kyo. “I want to talk about this more, Haru. Later, if that’s okay with you. I’d really like to talk some more.”
“Okay, Yuki.” Haru answered quietly, trying to hide his disappointment at the interruption.
TOHRU *
Tohru felt extremely nervous as she stepped into the library. ‘Why?’ She asked herself. She had no reason to be nervous around Hatori, he had always treated her kindly. In fact, since he returned from his vacation he had even been fun to hang around. Tohru figured it was because of Yoshiya, because he had found someone special. It was a pleasant change from Hatori’s usual dour presence.
Hatori was seated at the head of a long marble table. He stood when she entered the room.
“Have a seat, Tohru.” Hatori invited. He returned to his chair only once Tohru was seated before him.
“Hatori?” Tohru wondered quietly, “Is everything alright? Is Akito? Is Akito alright?”
“No.” Hatori answered honestly. “Akito is dying.”
Tohru’s tears, resurfaced again. She sucked in her breath, trying to be strong, and accepted the handkerchief that Hatori handed her. “He’s dying? But… I don’t understand, Hatori. He‘s seemed so healthy. Just this morning, we had breakfast together, he walked me to school.”
“It’s his curse.” Hatori admitted. “It’s been in what you might call a remission, but it’s his time.”
“His time?” Tohru repeated. “What do you mean, his time?”
“Have you read it, Tohru?” Hatori asked her, looking at her intently. “Have you read her diary?”
“Not completely,” Tohru admitted, “I have read some of it, but Akito‘s always around, and you told me not to let him see it.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Hatori decided. “We don’t have enough time. Tell me something Tohru, are you in love with Akito?”
“I…” Tohru said, her face glowing bright red, but reading the seriousness in Hatori’s eyes, she answered honestly. “Yes, Hatori. I love Akito. I love him completely.”
“This is fortunate.” Hatori told her, reaching across the table to give her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Tohru, it is imperative that you marry Akito, immediately. It is vital that we put it off no longer.”
“Marry Akito? But Hatori, he hasn’t even asked me to marry him. I know that you said…”
“Listen to me Tohru. The curse is killing Akito. He doesn’t have much time. He will be married by the end of the year, if you do not chose to marry him, other arrangement will be made for him.”
“What? What are you saying? Hatori that’s… it’s so soon, I can’t…” Tohru protested, standing up from the table and looking nervously at Hatori. “Do you know what you’re asking?”
“Yes, I’m asking you to marry the man that you claim to love.” Hatori said, standing himself, and glancing at his watch. “I’ll tell you what, Tohru. Finish the diary, it should help you to understand, somewhat, about the true nature of the curse. But Tohru, you need to hurry. I will expect a decision by the end of the week. Now, if you would like, you can go and sit with Akito for a bit.” With that, Hatori headed towards the door.
“Hatori, wait.” Tohru requested, and he turned around. “What I did read… the diary, Akito’s mom, she said that her grandfather was the sign of the rat. Was he like Yuki?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?” Hatori wondered impatiently.
“Well, I thought, maybe, that was what I…” Tohru said, feeling enormously foolish, “I thought that was what you wanted me to learn. Also, she talked about Akito’s father, that he had an affair with his cousin’s wife. Akito’s not Yuki’s…” Now Hatori was almost smiling at her. ‘He thinks I am a complete idiot, why didn’t I finish reading the diary?’ Tohru asked herself.
“Yuki’s three years younger then Akito. Akito’s father died, before Akito was born, so no Tohru, Akito is not Yuki’s brother.”
“Oh.” Tohru said, slightly disappointed. What exactly was she supposed to be learning from the diary? What was it that Hatori wanted her to know, and why couldn’t he just come right out, and tell her. “But Akito’s dad, he did have an affair?”
“He did.” Hatori admitted.
“So does that mean that Akito has a brother? An older brother?”
“Not to his knowledge.” Hatori told her, but then added in a very small whisper. “But there are things that Akito is not aware of, things that he can never ever know. I would advise you to keep that in mind. Now I have to go. I must attend a meeting in Akito‘s absence, and I am already running late.” Sliding the door open, Hatori hurried away.
Taking a deep, calming breath, and dabbing at her eyes with Hatori’s handkerchief, Tohru headed to Akito’s chambers.
KYO *
Kyo was annoyed, the day had completely sucked. He was hungry, he was tired, and Uo was being a total bitch. So why in the hell did he find her so attractive? She was nothing like Tohru. Tohru was sweet, and nice, and innocently pretty. Uo was harsh, and loudmouthed, and well sort of like him.
“Um… so are you going to explain what in the hell went on while we were gone, or am I going to have to beat it out of you?” Uo demanded. She was completely pissed off. Hatori had practically kicked them out of the main house. He was completely rude. Uo’s face was flushed from anger, and her eyes sparkled in aggravation.
‘Damn, she’s hot.’ Kyo thought, and found himself smiling at her.
“What the hell are you smiling about?” Uo asked, but found herself smiling back. “Well, at least tell us this, why does that Akito guy, he’s related to you, right? Why did he tell the school nurse that Tohru was his fiancée? Tohru’s not engaged is she?”
“Yes, good one.” Hana chimed in. “Answer that one, is Tohru engaged?”
“HOW IN THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW?” Kyo shouted, infuriated. He didn’t want to talk about Tohru, and he certainly didn’t want to talk about Tohru and Akito. “Why are you asking me? Why don’t you just ask, Tohru if you want to know so damn bad?”
“They might be engaged.” Momiji offered, and all eyes, including Yuki‘s, turned toward him in curiosity. “I mean, the family expects Akito to get married soon, don‘t they?”
“Momiji.” Yuki warned, “You should be quiet now. You shouldn‘t bore Tohru‘s friends, with our stupid family traditions.”
“No let him finish.” Hana insisted, looking intently at Momiji, her eyes flashing with purple sparks, she was reading him. “He knows something.”
Momiji bit his lip, and looked to his cousins. Yuki, Kyo, and Haru were all quite ready to take him out if he said too much. Luckily, he didn’t have to, clever Uo figured everything out on her own.
“Oh, no wait. I get it. So your family is into all that arranged marriage nonsense.” Uo concluded, and turned her attention back to Kyo. “So what about you, Orange Top, do you have someone you are supposed to marry too?”
“Me? Why in the hell are you asking me that?” Kyo grumbled, as his face blushed bright red. “I’m not marrying anybody. I don’t even have a girlfriend.”
Over Uo’s shoulder, Kyo saw Hatori walking towards them. “Great,” he said out loud, “what does that bastard, Hatori, want now?”
“Oh good, here’s Shigure, at last.” Yuki said, spotting Shigure’s call pulling through the main gate. “I hope we can get something decent for dinner tonight, I‘m sick of fast food.”
As soon as Shigure pulled through the gate, and before the car came to a complete stop, Kagura leaped from the passenger seat and rushed toward them like an angry storm.
“Kagura? What the hell is she doing here?” Kyo had just enough time to ask, before he was head butted to the ground.
“YOU TWO TIMER!” Kagura screamed out at the top of her lungs, landing on top of Kyo, and punching wildly. “HOW COULD YOU?”
“Kagura, calm down.” Yuki begged, did Miss Honda’s friends really need to see this?
“GET THE HELL OFF OF ME, WOMAN!” Kyo screamed back, and knocked Kagura aside.
“Um…who’s this?” Uo asked Kyo. “I thought that you just said that you didn’t have a girlfriend?”
“He doesn’t.” Yuki whispered to Hana.
“WHAT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON‘T HAVE A GIRLFRIEND? YOU LIAR.” Kagura yelled out. She was about to drop kick Kyo across the lawn, when she got a good look at Uo. “YOU?” Kagura stopped, mid-kick. Reaching behind herself, she pulled the kitty cat backpack from her back. Tearing off it’s head, she tossed it aside. Sticking her hand down it’s throat she pulled out the framed photo. She examined the photo, then she examined Uo, and then she examined the photo one last time, before deciding. “YOU’RE HER! YOU‘RE THE BITCH WHO‘S AFTER MY MAN.”
Kagura flew at Uo, in a fury, connecting like a jack hammer. The force sent Uo flying into Yuki. Yuki bashed into Haru. Haru stumbled into Hana. Hana fell and landed on top of Kyo. This, of course, set off a short series of firecracker like pops. When the smoke cleared we had three girls, one cow, one rat, one slightly squashed cat, and a really pissed off Hatori.
AKITO *
Akito’s body awoke slowly. Akito‘s mind had been awake, and aware for several minutes, but his body was fighting him, holding him inside. Tohru was there, in the room with him, he could hear her crying softly. He could feel her hand, which held his own. “My Tohru.” He tried to whisper, but his mouth didn’t work, he couldn’t actually speak. He was so very tired.
Somewhere far off, or maybe not so far, a door opened. Akito would have recognized the confident footsteps anywhere, Hatori, his dear cousin, his favorite.
“Hatori? Is everything alright?” Akito’s heard the voice of his angel, it lifted his soul, and he tried unsuccessfully to smile.
“Tohru, I need you to come with me. It is imperative that I speak with you, immediately.” Hatori told her, his voice low, but not so low that Akito couldn’t hear him. “There has been a situation, with your two friends.”
“Hana, and Uo?” Tohru wondered.
“Come outside, I don’t want to wake Akito. He needs his rest.”
‘No,’ Akito silently begged, and tried to tighten his hold on Tohru’s hand. ‘Don’t go, talk here, I’m awake.’ Tohru’s hand slipped from his, and Akito listened as her footsteps mixed with Hatori’s and faded away. Alone again, Akito gently floated back into sleep.
TOHRU *
“Hatori?” Tohru asked, as soon as they were out of Akito’s chambers. “What has happened, where are Hana and Uo? Are they alright?”
“They’re waiting in my office.” Hatori informed her, as they hurried down the long hallway. “Tohru, there was an incident out front. Regrettably, your friends have learned about the curse.”
“Huh?” Tohru hesitated, and then completely stopped. “What do you mean, Hatori?” Her eyes searched the doctor’s face. “How much do they know?”
“They know about the zodiac transformations. Yuki, Kyo, and Haru. They’ve seen it. You understand what that means? What is required?”
Tohru’s eyes went wide, he wasn’t suggesting, he wouldn’t. Of course, he would. “Hatori, you want to erase their memories?” Tohru grabbed hold of Hatori’s arm. “You can’t.”
Hatori paused, he looked down at Tohru silently. His eyes said it all. He had to do, what he had to do. Tohru understood that she shouldn’t stop him, that Hatori was only protecting the family secret, but she had to stop him. She couldn’t let Hana and Uo, her two oldest friends. Her friends who had stuck by her after her mother’s death. The only non-Sohma friends that she had. She couldn’t allow them to lose their memories.
“Hatori please.” Tohru begged. “You can’t do this. You can’t erase Hana and Uo memories.”
“Tohru, I have no choice in the matter. They know the family secret, it’s too dangerous.” Hatori gently brushed Tohru’s hand from his arm and continued down the hall. Tohru rushed after him.
“They won’t tell Hatori. I know this. I know that I can trust them. Please Hatori, just let me talk to them.” Tohru pleaded.
As they rounded the corner, Shigure, Kyo, Haru, and Yuki rushed up the hall to meet them.
“Hatori, I won’t let you do it.” Kyo said, stepping in front of the much taller man, and pushing him back.
“Step aside, Kyo.” Hatori warned.
“Hatori, do you really have to do this?” Yuki asked sadly. “Why does it always have to be like this?”
“I am truly sorry, but it must be done. These are Akito‘s wishes. Outsiders are never to learn of the curse.” Hatori insisted.
“What about me, Hatori? I was an outsider. Akito trusted me.” Tohru reasoned.
“That’s right.” Shigure added. “Ha’ri, at least wait for Akito, let him make the decision.”
“Yes!” Tohru begged, believing that Akito would save her friends. “Akito is the head of the family, Hatori. Please leave it up to him.”
“Akito is quite ill, he will not be fit to decide such things for awhile. It is too risky to wait, if your friends were to tell anyone.”
“Hatori,” Haru spoke up quietly, “You should wait. I know that you’re worried, we all are, but you should respect Tohru’s wishes. It’s what Akito would want, especially, since Tohru will one day be the head of the family.”
“What?” Yuki and Kyo both whispered. They hadn’t considered this either.
“Exactly,” Shigure added, he had, of course, considered it a lot. “If Tohru marries Akito, she will one day replace him as head of the family.”
“Hatori.” Tohru said, stepping in front of Kyo and looking bravely up at Hatori. “I don’t need to wait. I’ve decided. Should Akito ask me to marry him. My answer will be yes, on one condition. You leave Hana and Uo alone.”
Hatori stared down at Tohru, surprised at her fearlessness. The room grew silent, waiting for his answer.
“Very well, Tohru. We will wait, we will leave the decision up to Akito.” Hatori answered.
“Thank you, Hatori.” Tohru bowed gratefully. For the moment, the memories of her friends were safe.
KYO/UO *
“So, um… You’re a cat?” Uo asked Kyo. The two teens stood in front of Uo’s apartment. Unable to stand being in the same car with Kagura, Kyo had opted for walking home. Claiming that she wanted to “Keep the peace.” Uo had chosen to do the same. To avoid a confrontation, at Kyo’s suggestion, they had snuck off without telling the others. The walk was uneventful, with neither knowing quite what to say to the other. Now, at last, Uo had broken the ice.
“Yeah…” Kyo admitted, it wasn’t like she didn’t already know. “It’s disgusting isn’t it?” He hated this, why did she have to find out like this.
“It’s not so bad.” Uo told him. “I thought you were kinda cute.”
“CUTE?” Kyo complained, “I’m a freak, how is that cute?”
“You’re not a freak.” Uo insisted, as she unlocked her apartment door. “You’re a… what did that girl call you?… Oh, yes, a two timer, but a freak… I don’t think so.”
“Very funny.” Kyo grumbled, but he wasn’t really upset. “You know, um… that girl…Kagura, she’s not actually my girlfriend. She’s just… well, kind of crazy about me.”
Laughing, Uo pushed open her front door and stepped inside, turning to Kyo, who for a change seemed somewhat calm and content. “So Orange Top, I’m starving and I thought that I might order a pizza. I can’t eat a whole one by myself. Are you hungry?”
Smiling at her, and blushing very adorably, Kyo nodded, and stepped into her apartment. “Some pizza sounds great, what do you want on it?”
“Well, I know a place that makes the best pizza in town. Their specialty is the pepperoni and leek pizza. It’s my favorite.”
“Pepperoni and Leeks? Are you crazy?” Kyo moaned.
“Relax, Orange Top. That was a joke. Tohru told me about your little leek fetish.”
“Very funny, Yankee.” Kyo said, but he had to admit, the girl had him… She kind of did.
************************
Okay… so … was it terrible? Should I continue? I hope to have this story completely finished by the end of the year… I should have a little extra time to work on it over the next few weeks.
See you in chapter twenty two - The Nature of His Curse - bye bye!
Hello everyone: Well first off let me say to all of you who are still with me, I LOVE YOU!!!!!! BIG HUGS!!!!! BIG KISSES!!! BIG THANK YOU! I hope you like this chapter.
Read on…
Sleepless in Sohma House
PART TWENTY ONE - OH, BY THE WAY, KYO’S A CAT
SHIGURE *
Shigure let out a huge, satisfied, yawn as he stepped into his bedroom. It was turning out to be a truly fine day. Aya had just went out to pick Shigure up some lovely jellybuns. Kagura was handling the housework, though she did seem to be concentrating on Kyo’s room exclusively. Best of all, Shigure had just turned in his latest manuscript, after first teasing his editor for two weeks straight, and now it was time for a nice long nap.
Or so he thought….
“THAT BASTARD!” Kagura hollered at the top of her lungs, followed closely by, “WHO IS THIS? WHO IS SHE? I’LL KILL HER!” and then Kyo’s futon smashed through the wall and into Shigure’s bedroom.
“Kagura?” Shigure asked, staring through his bedroom wall. “Why are you destroying my house?”
“KYO’S CHEATING ON ME!“ Kagura answered furiously, and picked up Kyo’s large dresser in her two dainty hands.
“Kyo’s doing what? Wait, stop, put that down. No, Don‘t!” Shigure pleaded. Too late. The petite girl tossed the dresser, angrily, through the bedroom window, demolishing another wall in the process.
Taking his life in his hands, but wanting to savage what was left of his house, Shigure rushed into Kyo’s room, and backhanded Kagura, forcefully. This did the trick, Kagura immediately snapped out of it.
“Shigure.” Kagura said, abruptly composed. “Who is this girl?” She held a small framed photo out for Shigure to examine.
“Who? That’s Tohru’s friend. Where ever did you find that photo?”
“Under Kyo’s pillow!” Kagura answered, her eyes squinting into two angry flares. She grabbed her cousin and started shaking him violently. “Why would Kyo keep a girls picture there? In his bedroom? In his bed? Why Shigure? Why? Why? Why?”
“Kagura, you have to calm down.” Shigure told her, pulling out of her grasp, and backing away to a safer distance. “I am sure Kyo has a perfectly good explanation for why he is keeping a photo of a girl under his pillow. It couldn’t possibly mean that he’s in love with her.” Shigure insisted, unable to hide a small, amused, smile.
“He’s not?” Kagura wondered, looking up at her cousin, trying to determine if he was lying. “He had better not be.”
“He’s not, really, he loves only you. He told me, so please stop killing my house.” Shigure lied unconvincingly.
Downstairs, the phone had begun to ring.
“I’ll get it. It’s Kyo.” Kagura decided, and rushed past Shigure and out of the room.
Shaking his head, Shigure followed her downstairs. If it was, indeed, Kyo on the phone he would need to protect the first floor.
MOMIJI *
Hanging up Hatori’s office phone, Momiji put his hand up to his phone call ear, and gently massaged at the pain that Kagura‘s screeching had caused. ‘Wow, Kagura was pissed off. Poor Kyo, I had better warn him.” Momiji told himself. “Shigure must be going insane. From the way it sounded, Kagura was ripping the entire house apart. I probably shouldn’t have told Kagura that Kyo was here, at the main house, waiting for word on Akito’s condition. Yes, that probably wasn’t too smart.” Momiji decided, and shrugged it off. “Oh well, I can’t take it back now. I better go see how Tohru is doing.”
Sliding open the office door, Momiji headed toward the Main House.
HATORI *
Stepping into Akito’s sunlit bathroom, Hatori turned on the faucet, and soaped up his hands. Behind him, a heavily medicated Akito slept soundly. Rinsing his hands, and shutting off the water, Hatori stared at himself in the mirror. He didn’t like what he saw.
’I didn’t notice.’ He reprimanded himself. ‘I’ve been negligent in my duties. I believed Akito when he claimed that he felt fine, even though I’m his doctor, I knew better. I, foolishly, trusted in the power of love. It was because of her. Because I believed in her. I believed that the girl could heal him, as if Tohru Honda held some strange enchantment that could magically lift Akito’s curse. I have been foolish. It cannot happen again.’
Drying his hands, Hatori walked from the bathroom, and into Akito’s sitting room. Gazing out the window, he spotting his three cousins, Yuki, Kyo and Haru sitting on the grass near the riverbed. Even under these dire circumstances, Yuki did not chose to enter the main house, if it could be helped; and of course, Kyo knew that the cat wasn’t welcome. Down the hall, in the music room, Tohru and her two girl friends were waiting for word of Akito’s condition. Presently, Momiji should be using the office phone to call Shigure to pick them up. The girls shouldn’t be here. Hatori decided, and unless Tohru planned on marrying Akito in the very near future, she was not needed either. Akito was to be married, either to Tohru or to another. Hatori had a job to do, and he could no longer ignore it. Taking a deep breath, Hatori headed for the music room.
MOMIJI *
Momiji ran down the hallway towards the music room. Shigure would be here to pick them up soon, and Momiji wanted to spend a little more time with Tohru, before he left. As her rounded the corner he ran right smack into Hatori.
“Momiji!” Hatori lectured sternly, “You know better then to run in the house. It is an exceptionally bad idea, considering that we have guests at the moment.”
“I’m sorry.” Momiji apologized, what was up with that? Just when he thought Hatori was getting an actual personality. “Ha’ri, is Akito going to be alright? He‘s not going to die is he?” Momiji asked, and followed the doctor into the music room where Tohru waited with her two friends.
“Hatori?” Tohru looked up, with tears in her eyes. “Akito, is he?”
“Akito needs rest. He has been overexerting himself lately. As you know, Tohru, Akito is not well. We would all do well to keep that in mind. Akito has been pushing himself too much lately, and we need to watch what he eats. It‘s best that he follows the diet that I outlined for him.” Hatori told them, focusing his words directly upon Tohru, before turning to his young cousin. “Momiji, did you call Shigure?”
“He’s on his way.” Momiji answered, wanting to ask more questions, but knowing that he couldn’t. Not while Hana and Uo were around.
“Can I see him?” Tohru asked timidly. “Can I see Akito now, Hatori?”
Hatori glanced at the girl, she looked a mess. Her eyes were bright red from crying, and her hair and clothes were still damp from the sprinkler incident. Hatori felt his heart soften, momentarily, before he hardened it again. “You may see him, later. He is sleeping now. You need to change into some dry clothes, before you do I would like a word with you. Take a moment, and say goodbye to Momiji and your girlfriends. I’ll be waiting in the library.”
YUKI *
“What am I even doing here?” Kyo complained for at least the tenth time.
“Annoying us, obviously.” Yuki replied sarcastically.
“Whatever, I’m going inside.” Kyo decided.
“You sure you want to do that, Kyo. You’re not exactly welcome.” Yuki informed him.
“I don’t want to do it, but I sure the hell don’t plan on waiting out here all day.” Kyo growled, and headed towards the main house.
“He‘s such an idiot. He knows that he‘s not allowed in the main house.” Yuki grumbled to Haru.
“Well, Yuki, maybe he just wants to see Tohru.” Haru pointed out. “Or Uo.”
“Uo? What are you kidding? Those two can’t stand each other.” Yuki griped, picking a small pink flower out of grass and slowly tearing off it’s tiny petals. “I just hope that he isn’t going to pester Miss Honda. She is very upset, and doesn’t need that damn cat making things any harder on her.”
“There you go again.” Haru said in annoyance, turning his back to Yuki, and angrily tossing a stone towards the river. “Don’t you ever think of anything else?”
“What?” Yuki asked, with a frown. He was having such a hard time understanding Haru. One moment he loved him, the next moment he was attacking him. It made absolutely no sense, and Yuki hated it. “Why are you acting this way, Haru?”
“What do you mean?” Haru wondered still looking away.
“Like you hate me, right now. Like you loved me, two weeks ago. You tell me that I am making you crazy, but have you even stopped to consider what I’m feeling?” Yuki asked, and fought his desire to touch Haru’s hand. ‘No, it will just piss him off if I touch him.’ Yuki realized, and busied his hands by tearing apart another innocent flower. “Haru, I seem to remember you telling me that you would wait for me. Wait until I figured out how I felt. Why did you say that? Was it a lie?”
“I’d never lie to you, Yuki.” Haru mumbled, and slowly turned to face his cousin. “I would wait. I’d wait forever.”
“So, if you really feel that way, Haru? Then why did you attack Miss Honda? Why are you treating me like I’ve done something hurtful to you? What did Miss Honda ever do to hurt you? What have I done?” Yuki asked gently.
“You…” Haru started, and turned away again. He felt he would cry if he continued looking into Yuki’s eyes. “You broke my heart, Yuki, but her… it was worse what she did. Tohru broke yours.”
“I…” Yuki began, but before he could reply, they were distracted by the sound of voices heading their way. Tohru’s friends were walking toward them, followed by Momiji and Kyo. “I want to talk about this more, Haru. Later, if that’s okay with you. I’d really like to talk some more.”
“Okay, Yuki.” Haru answered quietly, trying to hide his disappointment at the interruption.
TOHRU *
Tohru felt extremely nervous as she stepped into the library. ‘Why?’ She asked herself. She had no reason to be nervous around Hatori, he had always treated her kindly. In fact, since he returned from his vacation he had even been fun to hang around. Tohru figured it was because of Yoshiya, because he had found someone special. It was a pleasant change from Hatori’s usual dour presence.
Hatori was seated at the head of a long marble table. He stood when she entered the room.
“Have a seat, Tohru.” Hatori invited. He returned to his chair only once Tohru was seated before him.
“Hatori?” Tohru wondered quietly, “Is everything alright? Is Akito? Is Akito alright?”
“No.” Hatori answered honestly. “Akito is dying.”
Tohru’s tears, resurfaced again. She sucked in her breath, trying to be strong, and accepted the handkerchief that Hatori handed her. “He’s dying? But… I don’t understand, Hatori. He‘s seemed so healthy. Just this morning, we had breakfast together, he walked me to school.”
“It’s his curse.” Hatori admitted. “It’s been in what you might call a remission, but it’s his time.”
“His time?” Tohru repeated. “What do you mean, his time?”
“Have you read it, Tohru?” Hatori asked her, looking at her intently. “Have you read her diary?”
“Not completely,” Tohru admitted, “I have read some of it, but Akito‘s always around, and you told me not to let him see it.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Hatori decided. “We don’t have enough time. Tell me something Tohru, are you in love with Akito?”
“I…” Tohru said, her face glowing bright red, but reading the seriousness in Hatori’s eyes, she answered honestly. “Yes, Hatori. I love Akito. I love him completely.”
“This is fortunate.” Hatori told her, reaching across the table to give her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Tohru, it is imperative that you marry Akito, immediately. It is vital that we put it off no longer.”
“Marry Akito? But Hatori, he hasn’t even asked me to marry him. I know that you said…”
“Listen to me Tohru. The curse is killing Akito. He doesn’t have much time. He will be married by the end of the year, if you do not chose to marry him, other arrangement will be made for him.”
“What? What are you saying? Hatori that’s… it’s so soon, I can’t…” Tohru protested, standing up from the table and looking nervously at Hatori. “Do you know what you’re asking?”
“Yes, I’m asking you to marry the man that you claim to love.” Hatori said, standing himself, and glancing at his watch. “I’ll tell you what, Tohru. Finish the diary, it should help you to understand, somewhat, about the true nature of the curse. But Tohru, you need to hurry. I will expect a decision by the end of the week. Now, if you would like, you can go and sit with Akito for a bit.” With that, Hatori headed towards the door.
“Hatori, wait.” Tohru requested, and he turned around. “What I did read… the diary, Akito’s mom, she said that her grandfather was the sign of the rat. Was he like Yuki?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?” Hatori wondered impatiently.
“Well, I thought, maybe, that was what I…” Tohru said, feeling enormously foolish, “I thought that was what you wanted me to learn. Also, she talked about Akito’s father, that he had an affair with his cousin’s wife. Akito’s not Yuki’s…” Now Hatori was almost smiling at her. ‘He thinks I am a complete idiot, why didn’t I finish reading the diary?’ Tohru asked herself.
“Yuki’s three years younger then Akito. Akito’s father died, before Akito was born, so no Tohru, Akito is not Yuki’s brother.”
“Oh.” Tohru said, slightly disappointed. What exactly was she supposed to be learning from the diary? What was it that Hatori wanted her to know, and why couldn’t he just come right out, and tell her. “But Akito’s dad, he did have an affair?”
“He did.” Hatori admitted.
“So does that mean that Akito has a brother? An older brother?”
“Not to his knowledge.” Hatori told her, but then added in a very small whisper. “But there are things that Akito is not aware of, things that he can never ever know. I would advise you to keep that in mind. Now I have to go. I must attend a meeting in Akito‘s absence, and I am already running late.” Sliding the door open, Hatori hurried away.
Taking a deep, calming breath, and dabbing at her eyes with Hatori’s handkerchief, Tohru headed to Akito’s chambers.
KYO *
Kyo was annoyed, the day had completely sucked. He was hungry, he was tired, and Uo was being a total bitch. So why in the hell did he find her so attractive? She was nothing like Tohru. Tohru was sweet, and nice, and innocently pretty. Uo was harsh, and loudmouthed, and well sort of like him.
“Um… so are you going to explain what in the hell went on while we were gone, or am I going to have to beat it out of you?” Uo demanded. She was completely pissed off. Hatori had practically kicked them out of the main house. He was completely rude. Uo’s face was flushed from anger, and her eyes sparkled in aggravation.
‘Damn, she’s hot.’ Kyo thought, and found himself smiling at her.
“What the hell are you smiling about?” Uo asked, but found herself smiling back. “Well, at least tell us this, why does that Akito guy, he’s related to you, right? Why did he tell the school nurse that Tohru was his fiancée? Tohru’s not engaged is she?”
“Yes, good one.” Hana chimed in. “Answer that one, is Tohru engaged?”
“HOW IN THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW?” Kyo shouted, infuriated. He didn’t want to talk about Tohru, and he certainly didn’t want to talk about Tohru and Akito. “Why are you asking me? Why don’t you just ask, Tohru if you want to know so damn bad?”
“They might be engaged.” Momiji offered, and all eyes, including Yuki‘s, turned toward him in curiosity. “I mean, the family expects Akito to get married soon, don‘t they?”
“Momiji.” Yuki warned, “You should be quiet now. You shouldn‘t bore Tohru‘s friends, with our stupid family traditions.”
“No let him finish.” Hana insisted, looking intently at Momiji, her eyes flashing with purple sparks, she was reading him. “He knows something.”
Momiji bit his lip, and looked to his cousins. Yuki, Kyo, and Haru were all quite ready to take him out if he said too much. Luckily, he didn’t have to, clever Uo figured everything out on her own.
“Oh, no wait. I get it. So your family is into all that arranged marriage nonsense.” Uo concluded, and turned her attention back to Kyo. “So what about you, Orange Top, do you have someone you are supposed to marry too?”
“Me? Why in the hell are you asking me that?” Kyo grumbled, as his face blushed bright red. “I’m not marrying anybody. I don’t even have a girlfriend.”
Over Uo’s shoulder, Kyo saw Hatori walking towards them. “Great,” he said out loud, “what does that bastard, Hatori, want now?”
“Oh good, here’s Shigure, at last.” Yuki said, spotting Shigure’s call pulling through the main gate. “I hope we can get something decent for dinner tonight, I‘m sick of fast food.”
As soon as Shigure pulled through the gate, and before the car came to a complete stop, Kagura leaped from the passenger seat and rushed toward them like an angry storm.
“Kagura? What the hell is she doing here?” Kyo had just enough time to ask, before he was head butted to the ground.
“YOU TWO TIMER!” Kagura screamed out at the top of her lungs, landing on top of Kyo, and punching wildly. “HOW COULD YOU?”
“Kagura, calm down.” Yuki begged, did Miss Honda’s friends really need to see this?
“GET THE HELL OFF OF ME, WOMAN!” Kyo screamed back, and knocked Kagura aside.
“Um…who’s this?” Uo asked Kyo. “I thought that you just said that you didn’t have a girlfriend?”
“He doesn’t.” Yuki whispered to Hana.
“WHAT? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON‘T HAVE A GIRLFRIEND? YOU LIAR.” Kagura yelled out. She was about to drop kick Kyo across the lawn, when she got a good look at Uo. “YOU?” Kagura stopped, mid-kick. Reaching behind herself, she pulled the kitty cat backpack from her back. Tearing off it’s head, she tossed it aside. Sticking her hand down it’s throat she pulled out the framed photo. She examined the photo, then she examined Uo, and then she examined the photo one last time, before deciding. “YOU’RE HER! YOU‘RE THE BITCH WHO‘S AFTER MY MAN.”
Kagura flew at Uo, in a fury, connecting like a jack hammer. The force sent Uo flying into Yuki. Yuki bashed into Haru. Haru stumbled into Hana. Hana fell and landed on top of Kyo. This, of course, set off a short series of firecracker like pops. When the smoke cleared we had three girls, one cow, one rat, one slightly squashed cat, and a really pissed off Hatori.
AKITO *
Akito’s body awoke slowly. Akito‘s mind had been awake, and aware for several minutes, but his body was fighting him, holding him inside. Tohru was there, in the room with him, he could hear her crying softly. He could feel her hand, which held his own. “My Tohru.” He tried to whisper, but his mouth didn’t work, he couldn’t actually speak. He was so very tired.
Somewhere far off, or maybe not so far, a door opened. Akito would have recognized the confident footsteps anywhere, Hatori, his dear cousin, his favorite.
“Hatori? Is everything alright?” Akito’s heard the voice of his angel, it lifted his soul, and he tried unsuccessfully to smile.
“Tohru, I need you to come with me. It is imperative that I speak with you, immediately.” Hatori told her, his voice low, but not so low that Akito couldn’t hear him. “There has been a situation, with your two friends.”
“Hana, and Uo?” Tohru wondered.
“Come outside, I don’t want to wake Akito. He needs his rest.”
‘No,’ Akito silently begged, and tried to tighten his hold on Tohru’s hand. ‘Don’t go, talk here, I’m awake.’ Tohru’s hand slipped from his, and Akito listened as her footsteps mixed with Hatori’s and faded away. Alone again, Akito gently floated back into sleep.
TOHRU *
“Hatori?” Tohru asked, as soon as they were out of Akito’s chambers. “What has happened, where are Hana and Uo? Are they alright?”
“They’re waiting in my office.” Hatori informed her, as they hurried down the long hallway. “Tohru, there was an incident out front. Regrettably, your friends have learned about the curse.”
“Huh?” Tohru hesitated, and then completely stopped. “What do you mean, Hatori?” Her eyes searched the doctor’s face. “How much do they know?”
“They know about the zodiac transformations. Yuki, Kyo, and Haru. They’ve seen it. You understand what that means? What is required?”
Tohru’s eyes went wide, he wasn’t suggesting, he wouldn’t. Of course, he would. “Hatori, you want to erase their memories?” Tohru grabbed hold of Hatori’s arm. “You can’t.”
Hatori paused, he looked down at Tohru silently. His eyes said it all. He had to do, what he had to do. Tohru understood that she shouldn’t stop him, that Hatori was only protecting the family secret, but she had to stop him. She couldn’t let Hana and Uo, her two oldest friends. Her friends who had stuck by her after her mother’s death. The only non-Sohma friends that she had. She couldn’t allow them to lose their memories.
“Hatori please.” Tohru begged. “You can’t do this. You can’t erase Hana and Uo memories.”
“Tohru, I have no choice in the matter. They know the family secret, it’s too dangerous.” Hatori gently brushed Tohru’s hand from his arm and continued down the hall. Tohru rushed after him.
“They won’t tell Hatori. I know this. I know that I can trust them. Please Hatori, just let me talk to them.” Tohru pleaded.
As they rounded the corner, Shigure, Kyo, Haru, and Yuki rushed up the hall to meet them.
“Hatori, I won’t let you do it.” Kyo said, stepping in front of the much taller man, and pushing him back.
“Step aside, Kyo.” Hatori warned.
“Hatori, do you really have to do this?” Yuki asked sadly. “Why does it always have to be like this?”
“I am truly sorry, but it must be done. These are Akito‘s wishes. Outsiders are never to learn of the curse.” Hatori insisted.
“What about me, Hatori? I was an outsider. Akito trusted me.” Tohru reasoned.
“That’s right.” Shigure added. “Ha’ri, at least wait for Akito, let him make the decision.”
“Yes!” Tohru begged, believing that Akito would save her friends. “Akito is the head of the family, Hatori. Please leave it up to him.”
“Akito is quite ill, he will not be fit to decide such things for awhile. It is too risky to wait, if your friends were to tell anyone.”
“Hatori,” Haru spoke up quietly, “You should wait. I know that you’re worried, we all are, but you should respect Tohru’s wishes. It’s what Akito would want, especially, since Tohru will one day be the head of the family.”
“What?” Yuki and Kyo both whispered. They hadn’t considered this either.
“Exactly,” Shigure added, he had, of course, considered it a lot. “If Tohru marries Akito, she will one day replace him as head of the family.”
“Hatori.” Tohru said, stepping in front of Kyo and looking bravely up at Hatori. “I don’t need to wait. I’ve decided. Should Akito ask me to marry him. My answer will be yes, on one condition. You leave Hana and Uo alone.”
Hatori stared down at Tohru, surprised at her fearlessness. The room grew silent, waiting for his answer.
“Very well, Tohru. We will wait, we will leave the decision up to Akito.” Hatori answered.
“Thank you, Hatori.” Tohru bowed gratefully. For the moment, the memories of her friends were safe.
KYO/UO *
“So, um… You’re a cat?” Uo asked Kyo. The two teens stood in front of Uo’s apartment. Unable to stand being in the same car with Kagura, Kyo had opted for walking home. Claiming that she wanted to “Keep the peace.” Uo had chosen to do the same. To avoid a confrontation, at Kyo’s suggestion, they had snuck off without telling the others. The walk was uneventful, with neither knowing quite what to say to the other. Now, at last, Uo had broken the ice.
“Yeah…” Kyo admitted, it wasn’t like she didn’t already know. “It’s disgusting isn’t it?” He hated this, why did she have to find out like this.
“It’s not so bad.” Uo told him. “I thought you were kinda cute.”
“CUTE?” Kyo complained, “I’m a freak, how is that cute?”
“You’re not a freak.” Uo insisted, as she unlocked her apartment door. “You’re a… what did that girl call you?… Oh, yes, a two timer, but a freak… I don’t think so.”
“Very funny.” Kyo grumbled, but he wasn’t really upset. “You know, um… that girl…Kagura, she’s not actually my girlfriend. She’s just… well, kind of crazy about me.”
Laughing, Uo pushed open her front door and stepped inside, turning to Kyo, who for a change seemed somewhat calm and content. “So Orange Top, I’m starving and I thought that I might order a pizza. I can’t eat a whole one by myself. Are you hungry?”
Smiling at her, and blushing very adorably, Kyo nodded, and stepped into her apartment. “Some pizza sounds great, what do you want on it?”
“Well, I know a place that makes the best pizza in town. Their specialty is the pepperoni and leek pizza. It’s my favorite.”
“Pepperoni and Leeks? Are you crazy?” Kyo moaned.
“Relax, Orange Top. That was a joke. Tohru told me about your little leek fetish.”
“Very funny, Yankee.” Kyo said, but he had to admit, the girl had him… She kind of did.
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Okay… so … was it terrible? Should I continue? I hope to have this story completely finished by the end of the year… I should have a little extra time to work on it over the next few weeks.
See you in chapter twenty two - The Nature of His Curse - bye bye!