Control Freak

Chapter 1: Runaway

"Why can't I leave?" I demanded. "You never let me out of this damn house!"

"Because I know that you will get hurt out there!" My father argued. His visible eye looked at me, frustrated. We fought over this subject constantly. He never let me leave the house and I was getting tired of it.

"I can't even see my cousins!" I yelled. "You keep me away from the rest of the family!" I missed Kyo, at least. I could care less about the damn rat... But I missed the hotheaded, orange-haired boy I called a cousin.

"It was their choice to leave with Shigure and since you're my daughter, you have to stay here!"

"What if I don't want to stay here?!" I shot back, glaring into his green eyes with my own. Momiji ran into the room, covering his ears. He hated it when we fought. The blond-haired boy looked at us pleadingly, hoping we'd stop.

"That's too bad!" Dad shouted. "You're gonna stay here whether you like it or not!"

"No! That's it!" I couldn't take it anymore. "I'm out of here! I don't want to be isolated from the world my entire life!" I stormed out quickly, heading for the door.

"You come back here!" he came after me. "Runa!" I ran, going outside and then through the gate. Away from him. Away from the Sohma house. Into the darkness of night.

I ran for quite a while, down the streets until I found a quiet park. I sat down on one of the few wooden benches and blew my auburn hair out of my face, frustrated. There was no way I'd go back to that place willingly. He always kept me locked in the house. He home schooled me and the only one I had for company was Momiji ever since the others left. He was like a little brother to me. If I ever went back to the house, it'd be for Momiji.

"Are you okay?" A girl with gentle brown eyes asked, stopping to look at me with concern on her face. She wore a blue dress and gave a friendly smile. Her black hair fell to her shoulders in ringlets.

"I'm fine." I grumbled, angry. Who is this girl?

"You sure?" She asked, tilting her head.

"Do I know you?" I crossed my arms, not recalling this girl. Why is she so concerned? She smiled at me though.

"You might not remember me... I used to come over to play with you when we were little." She replied with a small smile, thinking back.

"You're Sohma?" I was surprised. I didn't remember playing with anyone except Yuki, Kyo, and Momiji.

"No..." She responded. "My mom was friends with your dad." She sat beside me and continued, "but when she died, I wasn't allowed to come back over... so it's been a while since I've seen you." She still kept her sweet smile intact the whole time.

"I don't remember playing with anyone except Yuki, Kyo, and Momiji..." I looked down and played with my black wristband.

"What are you doing out here at night?" she looked at me, seeming confused.

"I left the house..." Is all I said.

"Why?" She pressed on, now surprised.

"Dad never lets me out of the house!" I finally felt the tears come to my green eyes. "The only one I have for company is Momiji since Shigure left with Yuki and Kyo... I feel so alone in that house..." I didn't know if she knew of whom I was talking about when I mentioned my cousins, but she never asked about them.

"Well, you're welcome to come live with me!" She offered. I didn't even remember her name and she was inviting me over!

"I-I don't know..." I said unsure. "I don't even remember your name... and I don't want to cause trouble..."

"It's Kyami and it's no problem." She replied happily. "You shouldn't sit here all night in the cold."

"Oh um, thank you..." I didn't know what to say. She was so nice to me and I didn't even remember her. "I-I'll make it up to you Kyami."

"It's fine." Her smile got bigger and she led me to her apartment.

Kyami threw her stuff down and sat down on the couch. I looked around, uncomfortable being in another person's house. I, apparently, didn't remember her but she remembered me, and didn't have a problem with inviting me over. It was a bit strange if you asked me.

"Make yourself at home... you hungry?" My stomach growled in response and my cheeks burned a little in embarrassment. Kyami promptly got up and began making dinner.

I finally decided to ask, "Why don't I remember you?" That had been bothering me ever since she told me she knew me. I don't remember anyone like her coming around.

"You probably just forgot about me since it has been a while..." She said sadly.

"But... if I remember playing with the others why can't I remember you?" I asked, "This makes no sense..." I looked down, thinking it through.

"I don't know..." She seemed at a loss.

"So you must remember my name then?" I looked at her, expecting her to say my name. She gave me a plate of food and sat on the couch.

"Yes," she smiled, "it's Runa."

I was shocked. How does this girl know me so much when I don't remember her? I decided that I wasn't going to get an answer to my question and started eating. The black-haired girl started eating as well. So... is she an outsider? Does she know about the curse? So many questions and no answers.

When we finished eating, I spoke up. "Um, I'll do dishes," I offered. "It's the least I could do."

"Okay." She hesitantly agreed, handing me her plate. I took the plates into the kitchen and washed them in the sink, deep in my own thoughts. Kyami stayed at her spot on the couch, sitting quietly. She was really quiet.

I put the dishes away in the cabinets and walked back into her living room. Kyami got some blankets out and set them on the couch. It was a little awkward between us.

"If you knew me from when we were little, what's my favorite color?" My favorite color was always orange, the shade of autumn leaves before they fell to the ground. I don't know why, but I was still so unsure about this. I needed to see if she actually knew me.

"Hm..." She thought for a few seconds and then happily exclaimed, "orange!" I stared at her wide-eyed. This is weird. "You can sleep here tonight." She laid out the blanket across the couch.

"Thank you." I smiled, even if I was so confused.

"No prob. Stay as long as you want." Kyami yawned. "I'm going to bed."

"Goodnight." I bowed politely. Kyami left and went to her own room as I lay down on the couch and closed my eyes.