Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ The Pain of Love ❯ Chapter 12

Thanks once more to laniani for being a wonderful beta. Without her help, my chapters would remain pure crap. Now, they are nicely refined crap…perhaps refined enough to be above the name crap. Hehe, I jest. I'm rather happy with how the chapters are turning out anymore. Anyway, to the story!

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Disclaimer: Not mine now, not mine ever.

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Immediately after arriving home and unpacking the car, Kyo practically ran all the way to the main house.

 

Upon reaching the gates, Kyo skidded to a stop and caught his breath. Steeling his nerves, he raised a fist and pounded, demanding entrance. The gigantic doors cracked open and a maid's head appeared briefly, sizing up the boy in front of her.

 

“What do you want?” she barked.

 

“I need to talk to Akito.”

 

“The cat isn't allowed to see Akito-sama unless it is called for. We were not told to expect you, so leave.” Without another word, the doors slammed shut. The echoing bang had a sense of finality that resonated through Kyo's body.

 

Kyo sighed, frustrated. He should have expected this to happen. There had been days in his childhood where the maids treated him worse than Akito did. Gritting his teeth, he raised his hand and pounded again.

 

The gate didn't even open this time. “If Akito-sama hasn't called for the cat then it isn't permitted past these gates. Those have been the rules for centuries. They are not going to change because some impudent monster thinks its business with Akito-sama is urgent.”

 

“Please. I know Akito would want to see me.” In truth, Kyo doubted that tactic would work. Akito never wanted to see him, even when he called for the cat.

 

“You're lying.”

 

“No I'm not! Come on, open up! I need to talk to Akito!”

 

There was no answer. Kyo listened carefully and heard footsteps faintly retreating. He briefly wondered if she'd bought his story, but then he realized she was probably going to check with Akito. He sat and waited for an hour, hoping his luck would turn and she'd come back with good news. When no one appeared he gave up and decided to try the alternate plan he'd though up while he waited.

 

Kazuma opened the door in surprise. “Kyo! What are you doing here? Is something wrong?”

 

Kyo stared at his feet and mumbled something unintelligible.

 

“Kyo, if you want me to understand, you need to speak louder,” Kazuma said gently.

 

“I WANT TO LIVE HERE AGAIN, SHISHOU!” Kyo yelled, determined to say it before he changed his mind. Kazuma blinked in surprise. Kyo very rarely yelled anymore; this type of outburst had become extremely unusual.

 

“Kyo, I thought we agreed that it was best if you continued to live with Shigure-kun. Of course, you're welcome to stay the night whenever you want, but we'd have to talk to Akito about you living here. After all, he is the one who ordered that you live at Shigure-kun's in the first place. What brought about this decision, anyway?” Kazuma calmly questioned the agitated boy.

 

Kyo hung his head and mumbled about Tohru and Yuki. Kazuma quickly understood that there was more to this than where Kyo lived. He ushered Kyo inside, and they sat around the low table in the living room.

 

Kyo continued to stare at his hands in silence, and Kazuma waited patiently. He knew his son would speak when he was ready.

 

“I used to think I hated that house, living there. You said it would heal me, that I didn't really hate it.” Kyo took a deep breath before continuing. “You were right. I don't hate it.”

 

“And yet you wish to leave.”

 

“I have to. If I stay there I'll tell her.” Kazuma knit his brows. It was no secret to him that Kyo had feelings for Tohru, but his son had never told him this. Was Kyo admitting his feelings now?

 

“And you can't tell her because of Yuki, correct?”

 

“Exactly, Shishou. I don't care about that damn rat's feelings, but she's in love with him.”

 

Kazuma raised his eyebrows at this statement but remained silent.

 

“I- I saw her kiss him. While we were on vacation. I didn't say anything to them about it, but I could see it on her face. She loves him. If I tell her how I feel then she'll worry about hurting my feelings. I'd ruin her relationship with him. I can't hurt her like that, Shishou. That's why I have to leave there. I have to get away from her so she can be happy.”

 

Kazuma couldn't hide his concern over this line of thinking. “Kyo, have you ever thought of the effect leaving would have on her, especially if you don't give her a reason? Whether she loves Yuki or not, she surely cares about you and would worry if you suddenly decided to leave.”

 

“She'd have Yuki there. She doesn't need me.”

 

Kazuma held back a sigh. He had a feeling that somewhere along the line Kyo had misunderstood, and leaving Shigure's house wasn't going to make things better. Until he knew more though, there was nothing he could do. Kyo's reasons for leaving, though probably not sound, were certainly selfless. It was obvious that Kyo didn't want to leave; he felt that he had to. He had certainly changed a lot since the last time he'd asked to move back to Kazuma's home.

 

Finally, Kazuma agreed to speak with Akito, to see if he would allow Kyo to move, and Kyo soon returned to Shigure's, feeling both happier and sadder than before. He was happy because now he'd be able to keep his promise without having to actively avoid Tohru, but he was sad because he knew he'd barely see her from now on.

 

Careful to avoid Tohru, Kyo wandered to the roof, where he stayed until darkness surrounded him. When he finally went down in search of food, he found leftovers sitting on the counter for him. There was a note sitting on the counter beside it. It was short and unmistakably in Tohru's handwriting. It simply said,

 

“Hope you feel better, Kyo-kun.”

 

That small gesture of kindness was enough to make him doubt everything he'd tried to convince himself of since “the incident.” He briefly wondered if he could have been wrong, if maybe she didn't want to be with Yuki after all. Then the image of their kiss flooded his mind, and he knew he could never win her heart. With a sigh he warmed the food, ate, and went to bed.