Fruits Basket Fan Fiction ❯ You turned him into a cat! ❯ Part One of Two ( Chapter 1 )

[ A - All Readers ]

From behind silver rimmed glasses Fuyutsuki Akasha looked around her surroundings with annoyed grey eyes and blew her black hair out of her eyes. The hordes of teenagers pouring into the dull stone colored building was just enough to depress anybody on a good day, but when your day -or week- was already bad the depression seemed to simply seep into one's bones and make you miserable. For Akasha it had started when she had been up rooted from her home of Poland and brought against her will to Japan. It had happened without notice, one day life was how it had always been, the next her parents had told her they were moving to a new country.

"Ouch." Akasha looked up from her brooding her mouth almost dropping open in shock. Standing in front of her was a girl a bit taller than her five foot five inches, dressed head to toe in black, multiple earrings dangled from her ears. Around her neck was a metal chocker with looping chains and a cross that swung freely, her blond hair was tied loosely back and she looked down at Akasha from behind black framed glasses her black lips frowning slightly. She contrasted oddly with Akasha's perfect uniform and faint natural make-up.

"Sorry I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." The gothic girl admitted sheepishly with a small smile at Akasha, Akasha gave her a small smile in return and shook her head.

"It's ok; I shouldn't have been standing in the middle of the sidewalk." Looking from the crowds of teens with uniforms to the girl in front of her. "Are you new here also?"

"Yeah, I just moved from the states, I'm Kimberly or just Kimmiko now."

"Poland! And I'm Akasha." Both girls looked up as the bell rang sharply alerting the students to get to their classes. They both walked into the depressing building taking out separate sheets of paper and scanning them. "I guess I'll see you around." Akasha said with a hopeful smile. Kimmiko looked discreetly at Akasha's paper and grinned.

"Nope," Akasha's smile disappeared making Kimmiko feel bad. "That's 'cause we have the same class." Kimmiko pointed out not liking the frown that was turned up at her. When the words registered with Akasha she smiled widely again. And followed Kimmiko as she walked down the hallways and to the first class of the day. They both entered the class most of the heads turning to inspect the new comers. Quite a few openly scoffed at Kimmiko's appearance as Akasha did her best to go unnoticed next to her. Kimmiko talked to the teacher briefly before he turned to address the class.

"Everyone these are our two new students. Girls please say something about yourselves." The teacher nodded and Kimmiko stepped forward with some hesitation.

"I'm Kimmiko, I'm from America and it’s such a pleasure to be here." Kimmiko rolled her eyes at her own sarcasm that went unnoticed, stepping back she gave Akasha a small nudge forward.

"Umm, I'm Akasha and I'm from Poland." Akasha stepped back next to Kimmiko and the teacher once again stepped forward.

"Uhh, that was great girls. Very... informative." The teacher’s eyes roamed the class room and stopped at two students. "Sohma Kyo and Sohma Hatsaharu!" Both boys looked up at the teacher as if they had just realized he was there, Kyo looked Akasha up with concealed interest taking in her nervous stance, he thought she was pretty standing there and promptly cursed himself for his thoughts. Haru raised an eyebrow at Kimmiko's indifferent stature; her dress was something he admired especially in a uniformed school. "I'd give you two detentions, but I know it would no good. Instead you get to escort these two girls around school for the week!" Kyo looked annoyed and almost angry, Haru only shrugged his indifference.

"Umm, teach?" Every set of eyes turned to look at Kimmiko, some curious, one angry -in Kyo's case- "I memorized my map; I don't need anyone to show me around!" Haru smiled faintly as the teacher looked annoyed, Akasha just sighed wishing for her seat so she could escape all the people staring at her.

"Yes miss..."

"Kaiba Kimmiko."

"Miss Kaiba, this is a punishment for them I'd like it if you'd go along with it so they might learn." Kimmiko heard Akasha sigh and decided to play it cool... this time.

"Whatever, may we sit now?"

"Yes, by all means. Miss Fuyutsuki you go with sit Sohma Kyo, and I will put you Miss Kaiba next to Sohma Hatsaharu," The teacher looked Kimmiko's outfit over with a critical eye. "Your bound to get along." Was muttered under his breath, but Kimmiko decided to let it go.

"Right! Who's who?" Kimmiko asked with a raised eyebrow.

"The orange haired one Is Sohma Kyo and the one with the jewelry is Sohma Hatsaharu." Kimmiko looked at the two boys who were looking at her.

"Got it!" She said with a mock happiness. Turning to Akasha she motioned her to follow as she walked down the isle and pointed to the seat next the orange haired boy, Akasha got the hint and sat down as Kimmiko continued down the isle until she got to the seat next to Haru. The said boy looked up and gave the girl a tiny smile, Kimmiko frowned and hesitantly took a seat.


Akasha tapped her pencil absently against her paper. She would have been taking notes, but she already knew what the teacher was lecturing on. She could tell the orange haired boy next to her was unhappy, but she didn't know why, unless he was just mad about the punishment. She hoped he wasn't mad at her, but dismissed the thought since she had done nothing to make him angry.

"Come on!" Akasha looked up to find the owner of the annoyed voice. Kyo stood above her looking down in faint annoyance. "I have to take you to your next class now." Akasha blushed slightly as she realized she had not been paying any attention.

"Sorry! My next class is math."

"Oh? So is mine, lets go then." Kyo walked away followed by Akasha who was happy that Kyo seemed not to be angry any more, he just seemed to be someone with an annoyed disposition. Akasha followed along behind Kyo as he walked her down the hallways, she noticed that he avoided touching people especially the girls. Frowning she wondered silently why that was.


Kimmiko left the class followed by Haru; she also hadn't listened to the lesson having learned the same one a few times in a couple different schools. Turning to Haru she noticed that he stood above her at least three inches.

"Umm, what do you have this hour?" Kimmiko asked tearing her eyes away from his interesting hair.

"English and then lunch."

"I have science and then lunch." Kimmiko said thoughtfully. "Ok, I'll go along with this little punishment thing, but I won't make it hard for you! I really did memorize the school map so its no inconvience for me to go alone, we can meet at lunch and if anyone asks you walked me to science!" Haru smiled down at the short girl who was taking charge without realizing it.

"That’s fine, but I really don't mind walking with you." Kimmiko raised her eyebrow at Haru with an amused 'Hn' and walked away shaking her head.

"See ya at lunch Sohma-Chan." Kimmiko called over her shoulder with a wave. Haru stood there for a moment, before he walked off to his next class.


Math went swiftly for Akasha, it wasn't a class she really liked, and there probably weren’t very many people who actually liked that class. But she had a head for the hated numbers and had passed the time silently doing the set out work. Kyo was amused with her cheerful personality, he tried to dismiss her with anger a few times, but she knew he wasn't mad at her and had always dispelled the angry frown with a small smile. Kyo had gotten Akasha to follow him to lunch, the only bad part being all the Sohma's had lunch this hour.

"Jeez, how many more of you are there?" Akasha asked seeing all the Sohma's around the table.

"None in this school, but there are quite a few others." The purple haired boy that had been introduced as Yuki said softly, Akasha watched puzzled as Kyo shot him a glare that could have set the table on fire.

"Wow, big families like that must suck." Akasha smile getting humored grins in response. The murmuring din in the lunch room grew a few levels and Akasha looked around in confusion. "What's going on?" She asked turning to Kyo.

"Your gothic friend just walked in." Kyo said blandly pointing over his shoulder. Akasha faintly wondered just how he knew that when he was sitting right next to her and she didn't. She didn't dwell on it for long when she turned around and spotted the said girl scowling furiously.

"Oi, Kimmi-chan over here!!" Akasha called rather loudly waving her hand in the air and standing in her chair. Kimmiko looked up some of the anger leaving her face when she spotted Akasha waving. Kimmiko made her way through the crowded lunch room to stand in front of a grinning Akasha; she saw Haru glance at her out of the corner or her eye and ignored it for now. "What's wrong Kimmi-chan?" Akasha asked cocking her head slightly to show her puzzlement.

"I hate people!" Kimmiko said simply sitting less than gracefully into the only seat left between Akasha and Haru. "And stop calling me Kimmi-chan!"

"Why? You called me Sohma-Chan." Kimmiko turned slightly to give Haru a tiny smile that lacked the warmth it was meant to have.

"That's because I was trying to get a rise out of you! She's doing it to try and cheer me up." Haru raised an eyebrow, but said nothing else.

"Umm, Kimmi-Chan... why do you hate people?" Kimmiko resisted the urge to grind her teeth at the name, but answered anyways.

"Because they are shallow minded idiots!"

"Not all people are like that!" Kimmiko looked up to meet a smiling blonde with amber eyes. "I'm Sohma Momiji, and I'm guessing your talking about the people that don't like your clothes?" Kimmiko nodded and leaned forward.

"Yeah, but its just that! My clothes, they see them and assume a hundred different things. They don't get to know the person under the clothes, they do nothing but stay in their own stuck up little worlds... I'm betting most of them don't like the fact that you wear a girl’s uniform. Oh, and I'm Kaiba Kimmiko." Momiji smiled sweetly and nodded.

"It doesn't bother you?" Kimmiko shook her head.

"To each his own, besides it sort of suits you." Momiji smiled brightly and lifted his head higher. Haru chuckled beside Kimmiko and The purple haired one shook his head. Kimmiko looked at the boy who disapproved. "And who are you?" She asked tilting her head.

"I'm Sohma Yuki!"

"Another one?! My there are quite a few of you!"

"Yes there are." Yuki replied tersely. "And why are you encouraging a boy you don't even know to wear clothing of the opposite gender." Kimmiko raised an eyebrow and glanced at Akasha who only shrugged, Kyo who was sitting beside her was glaring daggers at the arrogant boy.

"Well I do know this boy see we exchanged names, now we know each other. And I didn't encourage it; I just said I had no problem with it. If you want to accuse me of encouraging it wait until I do something like... this." Kimmiko turned back to Momiji who looked confused. "Oi, Momiji! When I get my uniform I'll give it to you, since I'm defiantly not going to wear it." Kimmiko stood up and threw her bag back over her shoulder and turned to glare at the purple haired boy. "That is encouragement!" Turning to Akasha who was trying not to laugh Kimmiko softened a bit. "I'll see you tomorrow!" With that Kimmiko turned and left the lunch room at a brisk pace.

"Tomorrow?" Akasha repeated looking at Haru questioningly.

"She's planning on skipping." Haru said simply with a shrug. "Want to stop her?" Akasha shook her head but stood up and followed Kimmiko out of the lunch room. Kimmiko was halfway down the hall when Akasha spotted her.

"K-Kimmi-chan wait!" Akasha commanded breathlessly, Kimmiko sighed and turned around.

"Yes?" Kimmiko demanded impatiently.

"Well, I'm not going to try and stop you or anything... I just wondered if you wanted me to cover for you!" Akasha smiled up at Kimmiko who looked totally baffled. Kimmiko stopped and looked behind her to see a smirking Haru and a Kyo who looked like it was a burden to leave the lunch room.

"Thanks, but really don't go through the trouble! If you lie about my absence, I'll just have to keep the lie going and it would be troublesome." Akasha grinned and nodded getting what Kimmiko was saying. "But seriously thanks for the offer; I've never gotten one like that! I'll probably be back tomorrow, but don't hold your breath." Leaning down to Akasha's ear Kimmiko grinned and started whispering. "Besides I think there's certain orange haired boy you should be focusing your attention on." Akasha looked shocked and Kimmiko held back a laugh. "Just go easy with him, he looks easily breakable." Kimmiko straightened up and smiled at the two boys that had followed them. "See ya later Haru-Chan! Good bye Kyo!" Kimmiko turned back around and continued her walk down the deserted corridors. Leaving a blushing Akasha and two clueless males.


Three weeks had passed quite quickly for the two girls. Akasha had been escorted every where she wanted to go by a more than willing Kyo. Kimmiko had come back to school the next day and stayed with Haru who didn't mind her odd look. Akasha and Kimmiko became fast friends and started hanging out together, on occasion even going to each others houses and acting like the immature girls they could be. They both found out that it was odd for Kyo to be so nice to one person and wrote it off as a fluke, Haru didn't feel the same way and insisted it had to be something else. Both Akasha and Kimmiko laughed it off dismissing it to Haru's annoyance.

"Umm Kimmi-chan?" Akasha asked poking the back of Kimmiko's head with a finger. Kimmiko lifted her head from its place on her folded arms at her desk.

"Hmm?" She hummed to lazy to speak properly.

"I think there is something wrong with Kyo." Akasha said her gray eyes full of worry. Kimmiko turned in her seat to look at Kyo who was slumped in his seat, his arms wrapped around himself. His face was slightly flushed and he looked ready to pass out at any second, she blinked her eyes mirroring Akasha's concern.

"He looks sick, maybe you should suggest to take him home." Kimmiko said turning to look at Akasha, Akasha looked down at the floor a small blush staining her cheeks. Kimmiko smiled and shook her head. "Oh, my god! You like him, and your embarrassed to show it!" Akasha looked up quickly horror in her eyes.

"Don't say it so loudly!" Akasha demanded, Kimmiko nodded and sighed.

"Alright, I'll suggest we take him home!" Kimmiko said excited for a chance to skip the rest of school. Akasha smiled and nodded, Kimmiko stood up and walked over to Kyo, waving a hand in front of his face to get his attention. Kyo's ruby eyes looked up miserably at Kimmiko and he gave a pathetic attempt at a glare. "Kyo I'm taking you home!" Kimmiko said with a note of finality, Kyo blinked trying to process the information. "You're sick, why did you even come to school today? Ugg, never mind that for now, let's just go!" Kyo gave Kimmiko another glare that she only returned. "Your glaring didn't work on me when you were healthy, do you really think your sickness induced stubbornness would do any better?"

"You could be a little nicer!" Akasha said frowning at Kimmiko, she turned to Akasha and blinked twice before grabbing Kyo's arm gently making him stand.

"It's tough love!" Kimmiko flatly pushing Kyo over to Akasha. "Hold him for a second." Akasha steadied a confused Kyo and then followed Kimmiko to the teacher’s desk; Kimmiko returned back a few minutes later and rolled her eye.

"Well?" Akasha asked watching Kyo out of the corner of her eye.

"We can go." Akasha nodded and followed Kimmiko out of the class room bringing a Kyo who came along willingly after bodily harm threatened by Kimmiko. The small group made it to the front doors before they were stopped by a voice calling them. Kimmiko looked up her annoyance fading when she saw it was only Haru.

"You might not want to take him out there." Haru said softly pointing out the doors; they looked out to see that it was raining. And that was the last thing she wanted to do was take a sick person into the rain. Kimmiko let out a sigh and grabbed an umbrella from in front of someone’s locker. "That’s stealing!" Haru pointed out Kimmiko glared at him and walked to the doors pushing them open.

"It's borrowing, I'll give it back." Kimmiko handed Akasha the umbrella letting Kyo take her place sheltered form the rain. Kimmiko took in Kyo's slumped posture and sighed again. "Do you know where he lives? I don't think we'll be able to get much out of him."

"Yeah, I know. It's not far a block down this road, turn right then go a little ways through the forest then you're there." Kimmiko nodded, smiling when she saw Akasha holding Kyo up with her hand on his arm. They continued walking, Akasha leading, Kyo just behind her under the umbrella, Kimmiko followed Kyo and Haru was behind her.

Akasha looked across the street before crossing, halfway across a car raced past making Akasha stop in her tracks and causing Kyo to bump into her from behind. Akasha turned around watching a plume of pink smoke envelope Kyo, when it disappeared only a lump of his clothing was left. Akasha's mouth dropped open as she looked down at the pile of clothes unable to move. Kimmiko heard Haru swear behind her and she moved forward bending down to look at the pile of clothes that was slowly rising and falling. She removed the top layer of clothing to reveal a cat the same brilliant shade of orange as Kyo's hair. Emotionlessly Kimmiko looked up at Akasha, who still stood there mouth agape.

"Don't worry Akasha, you didn't make him disappear... you just turned him into a cat." Akasha's mouth got wider as her eyes looked down at the cat. Kimmiko gently picked up the cat wrapping him in the discarded clothes and protecting him from the rain. Standing up again she sighed and turned to Haru. "I'm guessing this is something you knew about, but it can wait. Right now Akasha is in shock from finding out her crush is a cat." Haru blinked unsure as to why Kimmiko was so calm about this. "I'm assuming that the man Kyo lives with knows about this." At a nod from Haru Kimmiko wrapped the cat Kyo tighter in the make-shift blanket shielding him from the rain and cold. "Lead us to his house!" Haru nodded once again waiting for the moment Kimmiko processed this situation and had her own breakdown. Haru led the group through the forest and to Kyo's house, Kimmiko held tightly to the cat and Akasha's arm leading the girl through the rain. Kimmiko blocked out all rational thought that made her want to scream and run in the opposite direction and focused on Haru's back as he led her through the path he had taken hundreds of times.

"Were here." Haru said quieter than usual, Kimmiko didn't blame him for his caution and gave him a tiny smile as he knocked on the door, as few seconds passed before a man in a gray kimono answered the door with a smile.

"Ahh, Haru its so good to see you." His dark eyes turned to the two girls and they lit up further. "And you brought to very adorable friends along with you how thoughtful of you for-" The eccentric man paused in his rambling when he saw an orange head poking out of the male schools uniform. Looking at Haru he pointed to the bundle of clothes and grinned nervously. "That wouldn't happen to be who I think it is, would it?" Haru only nodded and Shigure seemed to deflate a bit.

"Sorry Shigure, it was an accident"

"No no, come in tell me what happened." The small group made its way into Shigure's house and Haru started the tale. Shigure interrupted him to call someone and returned for the rest of the story. He started when they met the two girls and ended at the traffic 'accident'. Shigure sat through the whole thing nodding at the right places and watching both girls. Akasha was staring at the wall her eyes blank and Kimmiko divided her attention between watching Haru and keeping an eye on the sick cat.

"So Miss Kaiba," Shigure started making Kimmiko look at him expectantly. "You don't look very surprised." Kimmiko glared and opened her mouth to answer Shigure when a knock at the door sounded and he excused himself to answer it. He came back a few moments later with a man in a nice suit carrying a black bag, half his face was obscured by his hair and he wore an annoyed frown. His eye widened when he saw the scene before him, turning to the fluttering man beside him the man gave a glare worse than Kyo's.

"Shigure I thought you said Kyo was sick?! Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"Sorry Hatori, but I didn't have much time to explain." Kimmiko stood up and walked over to the new comer. Shigure turned to her and smiled. "This is Hatori, the family doctor. Hatori this is Kaiba Kimmiko." Kimmiko gave him a tiny smile and nodded.

"With all do respect Somah-Sama, Kyo is sick and that’s why.... ummm, this happened. We were taking him home when he bumped into Akasha and... well he turned into a cat." Hatroi searched her face and looked to Shigure who only shrugged.

"Let me see him!" Kimmiko nodded and started to unwrap Kyo's source of warmth when she was stopped by a hand on her arm. Kimmiko looked up to Akasha's gray eyes and she smiled softly.

"I'll do it." Kimmiko blinked and cocked her head.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm better now!" Akasha assured Kimmiko and took the sleeping cat out of her arms, Kimmiko shrugged and sat down again next to Haru, bringing her legs up to her chest Kimmiko laid her head on her knees and wrapped her arms around her legs. Watching Akasha she smiled again, the shock that had first set in had now vanished and Akasha was smiling down at the sleeping cat while he was being checked over by the doctor.

"He has the flu." Hatori said softly. "Shigure put him in his bed and I will explain what happened to these two." Shigure nodded and went to do as he was told. Hatori turned to both of the girls, Akasha looked expectant and Kimmiko only gave him a blank stare. "Have you heard the legend of the Chinese Zodiac?" At a nod from both of the girls Hatori started the explanation about the transformation; he was surprised that there were no interruptions and no horrified glances. "So that is why you witnessed Kyo's transformation into a cat. You have met some others, Yuki who is the rat and Momiji the rabbit."

"Cool." Akasha muttered under her breath.

"So, thirteen of your family members?" Hatori nodded and Kimmiko blew her bangs out of her eyes. "Are you one of them?" Hatori nodded again and Akasha grinned.

"Which one?" The curious girl asked leaning forward.

"I'm the dragon." Akasha's eyes lit up and her face split into a wide grin.

"You really turn into a dragon?"

"He can't turn into a dragon!" Kimmiko said softly making all heads turn to her. "What?! It's impossible!" Kimmiko insisted.

"Let me get this straight." Shigure started. "You have no problem believing everything else, but you don't believe Hatori's the dragon?" Kimmiko nodded.

"Yes, all the other animals exist! Dragon's don't!" Shigure smiled and Hatori raised his eyebrow.

"Your right... but what if that legend is true? The one about seahorses!" Akasha said with a smile. "A seahorse is a young dragon, and when a seahorse matures hundreds of years it becomes a dragon." Kimmiko hummed softly and turned to Hatori.

"Do you turn into a seahorse?" A clipped nod from Hatori made Akasha smile. Kimmiko turned to Haru who was watching her. "Are you a member of this 'Zodiac'?" Haru sighed expecting this question, but not wanting to answer it.

"Yes," He admitted slowly. "I'm the cow." Kimmiko's face stayed blank for a moment before she processed the information.

"Oh, so that explains your hair." Kimmiko said with a smile making Akasha snicker. "So I'm assuming your next step is to tell us we must keep this a secret." Kimmiko began looking back to Hatori

"Or you will take measures to silence us." Akasha finished her smile unfaltering. Hatori nodded once giving both girls an unusual look.

"Yes, it would be for the best if you say nothing about this until I can talk to the head of our family." Both the girls nodded again.

"This is not information I would want to give out!" Akasha said with conviction.

"Yeah, I have a good record if I tell any body about this they'll call the loony bin for sure!"

"You don't have a good record!" Akasha corrected mock glaring at Kimmiko. "You skip school all the time and you... “Kimmiko held up her hand stopping Akasha.

"I didn't mean my school record." Kimmiko said through gritted teeth.

"So our little Haru likes a trouble maker!" Shigure said in a sing song voice. Haru glared at Shigure his cheeks a nice shade of red, Kimmiko just blinked while looking at the overly excited male.

"Let me guess your the dog?" Kimmiko asked flatly, Shigure stopped laughing and smiled at her.

"Yes, how'd you know?"

"Just a guess." She muttered looking down at her watch. Poking Akasha in the shoulder she caused the girl to look at her. "School ended about fifteen minutes ago, we should be going home."

"Oh, you're right." Akasha said softly tapping her lip in thought and turned to Hatori. "Are we allowed to go home?" Hatori nodded looking at the curious girl.

"As long as you promise not to tell anyone about what you have witnessed today."

"Okay!" Akasha said standing up.

"Yeah, whatever! Your secret is safe with me!" Kimmiko agreed following Akasha's lead and standing up.

"Alright then, you may go." Both the girls thanked Shigure for hosting them under such unusual circumstances and walked to the front door. The door opened on its own allowing Yuki and the girl they had come to know as Tohru to step in. Yuki smiled at Akasha and gave Kimmiko a disapproving look.

"What are you doing here?"

"Leaving, rat boy!" Kimmiko said not bothering to do anything but step past him and out the door, Akasha following behind her as they left a speechless confused boy behind. Silently they walked down the path in the forest the rain had left things looking and smelling cleaner than they had before, Kimmiko walked with her head down staring at the ground while Akasha held her head up stealing glances at the silent girl.

"Kimmi-Chan are you alright? Your taking this better than I would have expected, you're so calm and I would have expected you to be running like a mad woman by now." Kimmiko sighed and looked up at her friend blowing her bangs out of her eyes to have a clear view of the soft gray eyes that were watching her with concern.

"There really isn't anything to for me to run about." Kimmiko answered slowly. "I admit it kind of freaked me out at first... ok I had to keep from screaming and running away! But I thought it out and they are just like us with cool 'powers'. Do you know how often I wish I could transform into an animal?" She asked green eyes turned towards the sky as is asking the gray clouds for answers. "And they really can't help being born into a cursed family so to blame them would be wrong and very shallow." Akasha smiled at her stoic companion, voicing the thoughts that were in her own mind. "I really wouldn't care if he was a Martian from Pluto; I like him for him... only a fool would run away from someone like them."

"So you like Haru?" She asked quietly and was surprised to she and uncharacteristic blush appear on her friends face.

"Yes, I do." Kimmiko admitted almost inaudibly, Akasha snickered and turned walking backwards to look at her.

"Ha! And after all the times you pick on me for liking Kyo!"

"I don't pick on you; I just point it out in a humorous way. Besides your good for Kyo, he seems to be more at ease when your near and that damned Yuki isn't around."

"Yeah, it makes sense why they don't get along now." Akasha frowned thinking about Yuki, how he taunted him, goading him to anger and making him generally miserable. Akasha never really liked Yuki, but now she had a legitimate reason for it, not a feeling. She smiled thinking back on how Kimmiko subtly drew Yuki's attention away from Kyo and on to herself, unlike Kyo she didn't loose her temper quickly and would counter him word for word and could usually come out the victor in their arguments, often making Yuki's temper rise just like he did to Kyo -though not to the same extent-. Kimmiko sneezed bringing Akasha's thoughts back to the present.

"Are you alright?" She asked looking sideways at her companion.

"Yeah... fine. Were at your house."

"Oh?" Akasha looked at her house then back to Kimmiko. "I'll see you in school tomorrow then?"

"Yeah, good-bye Akasha." Kimmiko sneezed again and wiped her nose on a cloth. "See you tomorrow, have a good dinner."

"You to, Bye!" Akasha waved as she watched Kimmiko walk away, she was rummaging in her bag for something and let out a few curses when she didn't find it. Akasha laughed and shook her head walking into her warm house away from the cold damp air that reeked of coming winter.


"Have you seen Kimmi?" Akasha asked standing in front of Haru. Haru looked up from his lunch and frowned as he shook his head.

"No, and you shouldn't look so worried. She's probably only skipping again or avoiding us." Akasha frowned knowing the 'us' was not meant as Akasha and Haru, but as Haru and the Sohma's.

"No Kimmi promised me three days ago that she would see me tomorrow, I wrote it off as skipping the first two days. But she's never skipped three days in a row or broken a promise to me!" Akasha insisted her eyes looking as worried as she felt.

"Maybe she just didn't have a good reaction to the Zodiac thing." Haru said softly eyes down cast as he poked his food with his chopsticks. Akasha glared at him folding her arms across her chest.

"Haru you really are an idiot!" She said curtly making Haru look up in surprise. Akasha never took that tone with anybody; she was usually hyper and up-beat not almost cold as she appeared now. "Kimmi-chan couldn't care less if you were a Martian from Pluto! And she said that herself." Haru went from surprised to confused with Akasha's words. "The Zodiac thing has no factor in this, I know you like her, and I'm pretty sure she likes you to. So stop being a baby about the whole thing and come with me to her house after school to see if she's okay!" Akasha turned away from a stunned Haru and almost ran into Kyo.

"Akasha are you alright?" Kyo asked when she didn't apologize like she usually did after almost turning him accidentally.

"I'm fine. Are you feeling well enough to go somewhere?" Akasha asked looking into his eyes that oddly enough matched the color that was appearing on his cheeks. He had only returned to school this morning and Akasha didn't want to push his improving health.

"W-what did you have in mind?"

"Haru and I are going to Kimmi's house and I was wondering of you wanted to come along." The blush slowly receded from his cheeks and he smiled down at Akasha.

"Yes, I'll go." Akasha smiled and wished for the hundredth time she could hug the orange haired Neko.

"Great, meet me in front of the school after the last class and make sure Haru comes!" Kyo nodded looking over at Haru who was wearing a thoughtful frown his lunch forgotten.

"Okay."


"Are you sure this is it?" Kyo asked looking up at the large tan house in front of them. Akasha snickered and walked up the drive way to the house.

"Of course, I've been here like fifty times!" Akasha as said knocked on the door, turning to Kyo she narrowed her eyes slightly. "And no picking on Haru when we go in okay?"

"Why?"

"Promise!"

"I promise, okay?" Kyo said confused as to Akasha's behavior. The door opened and an over weight woman with dark brown hair smiled out at them.

"Hello Akasha, I'm guessing you've come looking for Kimmi?" The woman asked raising her brow slightly.

"Yes, Mrs. Kaiba." Akasha said politely bowing. The woman laughed and opened the door letting the three teenagers enter.

"Akasha dear, I tell you every time you come over you don't have to be so formal!" Turning to the two boys she smiled again. "And that goes for the both of you! I recognize you from Kimmi's descriptions. Your the cute one Haru and his cousin Kyo, yes?" Haru blushed and nodded Kyo held back a snicker and did the same, looking around the house he had to hold back a whole fit of laughter. All around the house, the figures, the paintings... they were all cows or variations of cow prints.

"Its nice to meet you Mrs. Kaiba." Haru said also bowing and ignoring Kyo, making Kimmiko's mother cluck and shake her head.

"At least its better than you being rude." She said with a grin. "Well I won't keep you; Kimmi is in her room, Akasha you know where that is. Just knock before you go in, I don't know what she’s doing." Akasha thanked her mother and led the two boys through the house passing even more cow prints, the only thing keeping Kyo from making a comment was his promise to Akasha. Akasha raised a hand and knocked when they came to Kimmiko's room getting a muffled 'enter' in return. She pushed open the door letting out the sounds of Ozzy Osburne and rhythmic typing. Kimmiko was sitting in a chair in front of her computer not bothering to look up at the new arrivals; they walked into her room and closed her door again.

Haru looked around her room; the carpet was a dark blue and the walls white and covered with either paintings or book shelves. Hundreds of books lined the walls in size order from biggest to smallest. Her bed was messed like someone had just thrown the blanket off and climbed out of bed, the sheets were tye-dyed purple into a darker purple the one blanket on the bad was black and covered with gray dragons, there was one stuffed bear sitting on top of her pillow. An electric guitar was in one corner and a fish tank in the opposite one.

The typing stopped for a moment and Kimmiko clicked the mouse saving something on WordPad that was to far away for them to read, looking up she frowned in confusion for a second before smiling, standing up and turning her music down. She wore her usual black attire, but lacked the make-up and choker that gave her the gothic look.

"Umm, hi guys... make yourselves comfortable." Kimmiko pointed to another chair next to the door and sat on her bed; Akasha followed her and sat next to her on the bed, allowing Haru the desk chair and Kyo the extra. Sitting in silence for a moment Kyo cleared his throat.

"Nice house you have... its very black and white." Kimmiko snickered covering her mouth when it caused her to cough.

"B-be nice Kyo, you'll hurt Haru-Chan's feelings." Kimmiko said when her cough subsided; Haru looked down a red tint added to his cheeks.

"Kimmi, your sick! Is that why you weren’t in school?" Kimmiko nodded and smiled.

"Yes, for once I was skipping for a reason... though this time the class president brought my homework to the house so I didn't get off free." Disappointment was obvious in her voice as she rolled her eyes.

"Oh, if you want I'll help you with the work!" Akasha offered grinning.

"Thanks, but its already done. I got bored and that was the only thing around, I was to lazy to get up for a book." Kimmiko grinned flipping her hair behind her. "So what brings you lot here?"

"I was worried about you." Akasha said simply. "And I brought along these two because Kyo's fun to talk to and Haru thought you weren’t coming to school to avoid the Zodiac members." Kimmiko laughed and immediately regretted it when she coughed. Getting her wind back she grinned at Haru through her bangs, he was looking at her with concerned sliver eyes.

"Is that really what you thought?" Kimmiko said softly letting the smile disappear, Haru nodded once slowly. "Hmm, well I don't think I could care less about the curse. It doesn't matter to me, Haru is Haru whether he turns into a cow or not. I'll just be sure not to tell my mom about you, she might hug you, stuff you and put you in the living room." Kimmiko grinned leaning back against the wall; Haru smiled plucking an invisible hair from his pants.

"Kyo lets go for a walk." Akasha said softly standing up, Kyo nodded once and stood up following her to the door. "Haru you keep Kimmi-Chan company, okay?" Akasha pulled Kyo out the door without waiting for a response. They sat in silence for ten minutes, Kimmiko letting out an occasional soft cough while Haru sat there unmoving.

"I seriously can't believe you thought I was that shallow!" She said meeting Haru's eyes.

"I'm sorry, but the members of the Zodiac are used to rejection even from their parents." Kimmiko blinked her eyes reflecting sadness.

"It must be horrible to have to live with that." She said sadly looking down at the twisting dragons on her bed.

"It's just something you come to expect." Haru admitted softly, Kimmiko looked up at him in obvious surprise. Shaking her head slowly she smiled at him.

"Come here!"

"Why?" Haru asked cautiously.

"Because I'm sick and I asked you to." Haru rolled his eyes but complied with her request, standing up he walked the short distance to stand in front of Kimmiko at her spot on the bed.


Akasha looked around at the fall colors, the trees were full of leaves of all different colors. The dead flora were scattered about on the sidewalk crunching under the two pairs of feet as they walked shoulder to shoulder.

"It's so pretty!" Akasha exclaimed looking at the different trees, Kyo followed smiling softly at Akasha. "Do you know what the colors remind me of?" Akasha asked looking up at Kyo.

"No." Kyo said shaking his head slightly.

"Come on, guess!" Kyo sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Umm... Autumn?" He asked raising his eyebrows. Akasha gave him a fake pout and looked away.

"No!"

"I don't know, fire?" Kyo asked unsure as to what Akasha was getting to. Akasha shook her head and bent down picking up two leaves one red and one orange. Turning to Kyo she stopped walking and looked at him.

"No, Kyo! The fall colors remind me of you!" Kyo cocked his head surprise written across his face. Holding out the red leaf she reached out and picked up Kyo's hand setting the dead flora in his open palm. "This red leaf is the color of your eyes." Akasha smiled up at the blushing Kyo and set the orange leaf in his palm. "And the orange leaf is the same color as your hair." Kyo lifted both the leaves to his eyes and looked closely at them.

"They are only leaves." Kyo said softly mostly to himself, Akasha chuckled.

"Yes Kyo, they are! That’s why I said they only Reminded me of you, nothing can replace the real Kyo." Akasha said with a smile stepping closer to Kyo, he looked down at Akasha as she closed her hand over his. A slight wind picked up twirling Akasha's hair around her head, Kyo smiled grabbing a piece and looking at it intently.

"Akasha reminds me of the wind!" Kyo said softly, Akasha looked confused watching Kyo's unfocused eyes. "A refreshing breeze that stirs the Autumn air, untamable letting nothing gets in its way. That is what Akasha reminds me of." Akasha smiled softly up at the boy who was watching her with wistful eyes, reaching up she brushed a hair out of his eyes. Kyo leaned forward tipping up Akasha's chin he softly placed his lips atop hers; leaning into the kiss Akasha placed her hand on his chest making a barrier between them. Kyo ran his hand through her hair stopping to cup her neck as he felt her return the kiss with as much passion as he gave.


Stopping in front of Kimmiko Haru looked down at her expectantly, she moved on the bed making it so that she was directly in front of him her legs dangling off the bed just in front of him. Reaching her hand up she hesitantly laid it on his chest just above his heart setting the other one on the opposite side of his chest, a pink tint rose in his cheeks but he stayed still. Kimmiko watched her hands as she ran them lightly down his ribs.

"W-what are you doing?" Haru asked swallowing nervously; Kimmiko looked up sadly at him and stood up without removing her hands.

"It's interesting, you defy all the laws of science that I have ever studied, I was just wondering."

"Wondering what?" Haru asked intrigued.

"Why... “Kimmiko rolled the word over her tongue slowly and decided on phrasing it differently.”You looked so sad sitting here just now, I was wondering if there was a way to hug you without causing you to transform." Kimmiko picked up one of his many necklaces and ran it between her fingers. "And I was also wondering if maybe you'd let me kiss you." Kimmiko looked up at Haru seriously. A dark blush was spread across his cheeks, but he was smiling down at her anyways.

"I don't have the answer to your first question." Haru said softly. "I haven't hugged anyone not even my mother since I was a baby without transforming." Haru smiled again and laid a hand over Kimmiko's fidgeting hand. "The answer to your second question is this..." Kimmiko held her breath waiting for Haru's polite rejection, when instead he leaned forward and softly touched his lips to hers and then pulled away an inch. "Not if I did it first." Haru licked his lips and smiled. "You taste like strawberries."

"I-it's m-my lip gloss." Kimmiko said breathlessly surprise still running through her head.

"I like it." Haru whispered leaning down to press his lips back against Kimmiko's harder this time than the first teasing touch. She gave into him closing her eyes as she set her arm on his shoulder to keep from falling.

"Oh my god! Lip locks eww!" Kimmiko slowly pulled away from Haru and looked over his shoulder to see Akasha grinning at her, Kyo was standing next to her holding onto her hand both of them wore a flushed face that probably had nothing to do with the cool weather. Neither of them looked surprised to see them in this situation. Kimmiko smirked at her friend eyes taking on an evil glint.

"And your so innocent? Before you say anything more about this I'd like you both to know that my window has a great view of the park across the street!" Akasha and Kyo simultaneously dropped their mouths and turned crimson.

"What happened at the park?" Haru asked softly looking at Kimmiko; she smiled and leaned forward whispering something in his ear. "Oh? Oh!" Haru chuckled and turned to his cousin. "It's about time!"

"I could say the same thing about you, damn cow!" Kyo said with a glare making Haru smile softly at him.

"Well, it looks like we all got what we wanted." Akasha said softly.

"It appears that way," Kimmiko agreed with a smile. "So do you guys want to stay for dinner? My mother doesn't cook leeks!" She said with a wink at Kyo.