Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket or anything related to it.
Warnings: Future mature content in form of injuries, psychological, sex,coarse language, possibly OOC, YAOI
-:YUKI'S POV:-
The sun beat down mercilessly and the world warped around me as I stubbornly trudged on. The path lead through a forest, and though I couldn't remember why, I knew I was supposed to go this way. It felt right. I stumbled slightly and nearly fell to my knees but managed to catch my balance just in time and I straightened up and continued on. It was really hot and sweat had formed on my face and neck, dust sticking to it as the wind picked up and blew some of the dry earth from the ground at me.
It was then I realized I had reached a clearing, for the wind couldn't possibly be that strong if I was still shielded from it by the trees surrounding the forest path. My eyes turned up and though my vision was slightly fogged over, I could see a house a bit further down the path. My legs continued to fight their way onward though I was ready to drop dead from exhaustion. Sounds where only a buzz in my ears, if not I would most likely have avoided the cat in front of me. It hissed as I stepped on its tail and as I fell to the hard ground it was already disappearing into the distance, the only thing registering in my tired mind being a white blur.
I lay where I had fallen, finding that I didn't have enough energy to move my limbs as they seemed to have been glued to the ground or filled with lead. Dust got into my eyes, nose and mouth and as I sneezed I got more of it down my throat. I coughed viciously but only had enough energy to flip myself onto my back. I squinted as the bright light of the sun got into my eyes more fully now and felt my eyes spill over, streaks of wetness drawing wet tracks down my face. It was starting to grow dark at the edges of my vision and I closed my eyes against it, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by the exhaustion that plagued me. Thoughts I might have had where smothered and I felt my consciousness slip away from me. It was too heavy…
"- but what happened to him?" Agitated voices slowly brought me back to awareness and I found that I lay down, not on the ground, but on something soft. Something dragged across my chest faintly and I felt a shiver rack my body. I fluttered my eyes open in reaction to it. The world swam and I couldn't seem to find anything to focus on.
"-uki?" The urgency of the voice was the first to reach through to me and I tried to turn towards it but still couldn't see anything but a blurry figure, suddenly all too close to me. I would have shied away had not the figure moved back to look behind. Now that he wasn't in my face I could finally bring about enough focus to see the man closest to me. He wore a green yukata and his hair was short and black. Shigure, my mind supplied helpfully.
"Yuki?" The voice was more persistent now and I focused on the other person present. Long silvery hair came into view and then I found myself looking into big citrine eyes. Ayame…
"…Nii-san?" The words came out before I had time to think them through and I saw how the man, my brother, blinked in surprise before drawing back and proudly proclaiming:
"Oh! My dear Yuki-kun finally called me nii-san!"
"How are you, Yuki?" Shigure spoke quietly to me, ignoring the happily prancing man behind him. I followed his example, but more due to the fact that I couldn't seem to focus on more than 2 things at the same time than anything else. I thought about his question for quite awhile before I answered apparently, because Shigure was looking more concerned when I finally did.
"I don't know." My honest answer also seemed to surprise him and I furrowed my brow tiredly. Why is he surprised? I thought about it but couldn't come up with a satisfying answer. A cold hand on my forehead brought me back from my thoughts and I looked up at the man. His expression was unreadable to me, though I didn't really try that hard. When the cold hand retreated I found myself missing it greatly. It had felt so cool and nice…
"I think you're running a fever." He told me and I guessed it could be true. I didn't really care though. Caring took too much energy, and I seemed to be lacking immensely on that particular ware.
"Ayame, could you stop jumping around and call Hatori already." The silver haired man stopped mid-movement and looked over at us before he nodded.
"Of course! I'll do anything for my dear little brother!" He proclaimed before he headed out of the room with a quick swirl. The room seemed very quiet when he wasn't there anymore and I found myself fidgeting. In an attempt to distract myself I looked at my surroundings. The room wasn't all too big; it just about fitted a desk, closet and the bed I lay in. Papers and pens amongst other stuff filled the desk and I felt a fleeting recognition flit through my mind. Mine.
"- sure he'll be here in a moment so you should just rest until then, okay?" I forced my attention back to Shigure who was obviously trying to speak to me. How strange, it was really hard to listen to him. He scoffed when I told him that.
"That's most likely the fevers doing. Nothing I say is boring after all!" He smiled widely before he ruffled my hair and while still holding his hand there locked eyes with me.
"Just go to sleep. I'll wake you when Hatori arrives." He rose and started to walk away before I had time to process all he'd said. Hatori. The name didn't mean anything to me. I furrowed my brows. Why was he coming? More importantly, who was he? Though I really wanted to know I couldn't exactly do so without asking anyone, and getting up from my comfy little nest of pillows and comforter wasn't the least appealing at the moment. Instead I decided to do what Shigeru had told me. I snuggled down deeper, shifting under the thin comforter and vaguely recording that I was mostly naked under it by the cool feel of it sliding against my overheated skin. It didn't take long before even that feeling was lost on me.
While it had been easy to fall asleep, it wasn't as easy to wake up again. I felt someone shaking me carefully but insistently and I also heard my name being called repeatedly but it was like something muffled it. Of course, that proved to be a pillow. I realized this the moment it was torn from my grip holding it over my head. Light blasted onto my closed eyes and I furrowed my brows before I tried to return to sleep. But whoever it was that had woken me, wasn't going to let that happen.
"Wake up, princess!" Someone said and I felt a sudden urge to hit something. The feeling intensified when I felt something looming over me. Without really thinking about it I lashed out aimlessly with my fist. It must have hit something as I felt the impact and heard a clacking sound followed by a groan and whimper.
"No need to get all violent!" I now recognized the voice as Shigure's and opened my eyes. But Shigure wasn't the person I saw when I turned around. I blinked in surprise as I met the serious gaze of a dark haired man clad in a suit. I felt goose bumps appear at my neck and down my back and arms as our gazes locked. Who was this?
"Yuki, you need to roll over or Hatori won't be able to examine you, you know." I snapped my attention away from the intimidating man and looked over at Shigure. He was rubbing his cheek absentmindedly and I caught sight of bruising beneath his hand. Ah. So I managed to hit him. Then I registered what he'd said. Hatori. This man was Hatori. I looked at the man again and found him just as intimidating as before and unconsciously moved the cloth tighter around me. Hatori didn't move but Shigure moved closer with a frown.
"Yuki, turn over so Hatori can examine you." He said it slowly and carefully and I obeyed after a moment, rolling unto my back and letting go of my vice grip on the comforter. I eyed the man known as Hatori warily as he reached into a bag and brought up a stethoscope. He moved down the comforter and I awkwardly looked away as he put the cold metal to my bare chest. He went on to instruct me to do certain things like taking deep breaths or holding a breath in and I obeyed, if slightly unwillingly. He also examined my head, checking my temperature and looking at my eyes. Seemingly satisfied he put his tools away and when he pulled back I kept my eyes on the wall, uncomfortable with the situation.
"So, how is he?" I heard Shigure ask and Hatori sighed.
"He's fine as far as I see. His breathing sounds fine and his pulse is normal. No sign of any head trauma." Hatori answered and I listened carefully to their conversation while pretending not to.
"Well that's good to know. He most likely just pushed himself too hard then." Shigure said cheerfully but didn't seem quite satisfied with the answer.
"Perhaps. I'll check up on him tomorrow again and see if there's something wrong. Keep him home from school and make sure he takes it easy just in case." Then I heard how they left the room. I turned my gaze to the door briefly but once I'd confirmed it was closed and I was alone I sighed and rolled over onto my side, facing the wall. I wrapped the comforter around myself again as a shiver racked my body. I was confused but refused to think about anything. I closed my eyes and shouldered myself deeper into the bed and eventually drifted off again.
When next I woke, it must have been around noon the next day, I felt someone sitting beside my bed. I opened my eyes slowly and once the world came into focus, turned around. A girl with brown hair and childish appearance sat looking at me and when I turned to her, her eyes widened.
"Oh! I'm sorry Yuki-kun! I didn't mean to wake you!" She exclaimed and desperately tried to assure me it hadn't been her intention. I blinked in surprise and then felt my stomach growl. This sent her into another fit.
"Oh! You haven't eaten in a while right? I was told you slept so I put some dishes away for you. I'll get them for you instantly! But I need to warm them first. Do you think you can go to the dinner table or should I bring the food up here?" She bombarded me with questions and assumptions and I blinked in confusion. I wasn't certain which question to answer and just blinked owlishly. She seemed to notice my confusion and clasped her hands over her mouth.
"Sorry Yuki-kun! I forgot you're out of it when you wake up! Uhm, I'll warm some food for you and put it on the dinner table downstairs, okay?" She repeated slowly and I nodded in response. She hurried out of the room then and I was left wondering. Who was she? After I sat up I took a moment to think about it but then shook my head. I'd simply have to ask Shigure, it would be rude to ask the girl herself and I couldn't exactly pretend that I knew her either, that was just weird since, I didn't. Though she seemed to be quite familiar with me… That was something to consider. But for now I settled for getting up and putting on some clothes. I detangled myself from the comforter and went over to the closet. I didn't really care what I was dressed in so I took a simple shirt and cargo pants. Once I was dressed I went out the door and headed down the hallway. I had a slightly odd feeling wash through me as I walked. I felt oddly displaced. This isn't my home, is it? It felt like home and I knew my way around though I couldn't really remember the layout of the house, but it still felt oddly like I should have another home.
I dismissed the thought the moment I felt the smell of food from the kitchen. When I walked into the dining room I was met with the sight of an orange haired guy sitting by the table. He looked up when I entered and I met red eyes framed by a ruffled fringe. His expression was disgruntled and when he saw me, his scowl deepened. I didn't know why but it definitely affronted me. I hadn't done anything to this guy, so why the dirty look?
After a moment he looked away and I faintly heard him mumble "Stupid rat."
"Excuse me?" The words fell from my mouth out of reaction and I felt myself glare. The man looked up and for a split second his expression was lit by confusion before it returned to its previously disgruntled state.
"I said: you stupid rat." He growled in a taunting way and my eyes narrowed at him. What the heck was this guy's problem? I asked him that and he glared.
"You are a freaking problem." He said and I gaped slightly in affront.
"What is that supposed to mean?" I asked angrily and he rose.
"Stop playing innocent you stupid rat!" He roared and then suddenly came forward in a rush. My reactions were really slow and before I knew it I found myself on the floor with the orangetop over me, holding me down. The air in my lungs exited with a whoosh as he landed on top of me and I coughed slightly to get it back down, still glaring up at the guy.
"What do you think you're doing?" I gasped out and he looked surprisingly stunned.
"Get off of me!" I added when he didn't move or answer. He just blinked in surprise.
"Why aren't you fighting back?" He said angrily while glaring suspiciously and I snapped at him.
"I'm freaking trying! Now get off of me you brute!" I exclaimed while struggling against his hold. He was holding my arms down using his body weight and I found myself unable to push away. I felt my frustration grow as he simply sat there, holding me down seemingly effortlessly and giving me a suspicious and incredulous look. With a growl I dragged my leg up and smacked my knee up between his legs. He let out a gasp and I managed to worm my way out of his grip while he recovered. He grimaced in pain and glared up at me and I gave him one in return while rubbing at my wrists that ached from the guy's grip.
"Ah!" The loud gasp drew both of our attentions to the girl from before. She stood in the doorway, hands clasped together before her and her face set in worry. Then she hurried to stand between us, her face towards the orangetop.
"Kyo! Yuki-kun is supposed to be resting! Please don't fight!" She told him desperately and though I couldn't see her expression it was obvious she was near frantic.
"I wouldn't have if he hadn't egged me on! It's all that stupid rat's fault!"
"How the hell is this my fault? And stop calling me a stupid rat!" I snapped at him and they both turned to me. Their gazes were incredulous to the point where you might as well think I'd said the sky was green and the grass blue.
"What?" I was definitely running out of patience and when they didn't say anything after another minute I turned on my heel and stomped back to my room. I slammed the door after me and threw myself down on the bed. The orangetop's, -what was his name now again?- insults still burned inside me and I closed my eyes and turned my back against the door.
"I'm not a stupid rat…"
-:KYO'S POV:-
When Yuki came into the room I glanced at him to see what the fuss was about. I'd heard he'd collapsed and they'd had Hatori over yesterday. He looked the same as usual as far as I could see and I felt irritated. Why'd that stupid rat have to worry everyone? It was annoying, but surely he thought it was nice to get some attention. As if he wasn't getting enough of it already. Just looking at him made me angry, but Tohru had told me not to fight him, and Shigure had seconded that on Hatori's behalf. So I restrained myself and simply dropped a low mutter about him. But he snapped at it almost instantly.
"Excuse me?" His voice was incredulous and I turned to him. He looked slightly affronted and I couldn't help but repeat myself.
"I said: you stupid rat." And seriously, what he said next truly got on my nerves. He asked me what my problem was!
"You are a freaking problem." I growled at him and saw how dormant anger flared in his eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked me angrily. Did he just seriously ask that? Come on! And what's with that feigned innocence! He knows he made everyone worry, the least he can do is act a little apologetic! Okay, screw what Tohru said, this guy has it coming!
"Stop playing innocent you stupid rat!" I launched myself at him and, to say the least, was surprised when his eyes widened in surprise before I tackled him to the floor. I had expected him to jump to the side or dodge in any other manner, but he hadn't. I heard how he coughed, most likely trying to get air back down his lungs 'cus a tackle like that would surely leave me with my air knocked out.
"What do you think you're doing?" I stared down at him in surprise. He looked ruffled and anger was gleaming in the depths of his violet eyes, but he wasn't really struggling or kicking me of like I thought he would. And why the heck was he asking me what I was doing?
"Get off of me!" I ignored his shout and instead narrowed my eyes at him.
"Why aren't you fighting back?" Was he mocking me? It must be like that! Just because they'd said I couldn't attack him, he let me have a punch so he could humiliate me later, right? But he wouldn't let me land a hit ever… It didn't make sense!
"I'm freaking trying! Now get off of me you brute!" He struggled weakly against the hold I had on his wrist as I loomed over him. That's it? Was he serious? Then my vision nearly blacked out as pain shot through my lower regions. He squirmed out from under me and I collapsed on my side while taking a couple of deep breaths. He'd fucking kicked me! That wasn't anything special, but that was a kick below the belt! Cheating! I looked up at him and met his glare and was just about to accuse him when a loud gasp drew my attention.
Tohru was staring in shock at us, her hands clasped in agitation before she ran over and placed herself between us. It took me a moment to realize how she must see the scene; me on the floor, defeated, with Yuki standing up glowering at me. I was about to protest but she spoke before I had a chance to.
"Kyo! Yuki-kun is supposed to be resting! Please don't fight!" I clacked my teeth together on the words I'd been about to utter and tried to look at anything but her frantic expression. My gaze drifted across to the rat once and I remembered how this had all started and an excuse broke through the seal on my lips.
"I wouldn't have if he hadn't egged me on! It's all that stupid rat's fault!"
"How the hell is this my fault? And stop calling me a stupid rat!" He snapped back in response and both Tohru and I turned to look at him, completely dumbstruck. That sounded very un-Yuki like. It should be more like: 'Stop trying to push the blame on others you stupid cat.'
"What?" He asked but my thoughts were running around in circles so I couldn't find a response. I was just about out of my stupor when I entered a new one as Yuki stomped away. His footsteps could be heard clearly and a while after they faded I could hear a loud slam. Yuki wouldn't slam the door, unless he was trying to slam it into my face.
"Ah!" Tohru's gasp drew me out of my daze and I sat up and turned t see what happened. She was staring into the kitchen and then franticly spoke to herself.
"Yuki-kun didn't get his food! Should I go and bring it to him? But he looked really mad; I'd most likely just inconvenience him… But he needs to eat or he won't get better! He hasn't eaten at all today!" She continued to rant back and forth until her eyes were spinning.
"Hey hey, calm down already. You're not going to get anywhere if you stress yourself like that. Besides, he's the one who was rude so just let him be."
"Oh no, I can't do that! I promised Ayame-san that I would make sure Yuki-kun ate and rested as he should!" I rolled my eyes at it but gave up. I didn't feel like trying to convince her, she just was that way. I rose and actually managed not to wince. Fuck, that kick hurt. I guess I should be glad he didn't kick harder. A grimace crept unto my face at the thought but I disguised it with an annoyed frown. Tohru asked me where I was going when I started to head out the room and I just waved and told her dismissively that I'd be on the roof. I paused outside my room for a minute and couldn't help but gaze down the hall to Yuki's room.
"Stop calling me a stupid rat!" The words echoed in my mind and I frowned. Sure, he'd told me not to call him rat while at school since it would cause a ruckus, but otherwise he didn't seem to care the least. It wasn't like him to lash out like that.
…
And it isn't like me to worry about that attention-hogging rat-boy! Huffing, I went into my room and from there climbed onto the roof. It was a warm afternoon and a slight breeze was blowing, carrying various scents with it. I lay down on my favorite spot and just enjoyed the feel of the sun beating down. It didn't take long before I dozed off into a comfortable afternoon cat-nap.
I woke later from raised voices. I furrowed my brow and tried to ignore it, but the insistent buzzing wouldn't leave me alone. Opening my eyes I looked around. It was nearly dinner time judging by the position of the sun and it had started to cool down outside. Shaking my head and yawning followed by a well needed stretch, I then rose. Feeling slightly more awake I tried to determine where the sounds were coming from. Listening carefully I finally determined that they must be coming from the direction of Yuki's room. I frowned at that and couldn't help but feel slightly curious. What's the big fuss about?
I went closer and seated myself above the rat's room. It wasn't like I was eavesdropping; it was their fault for being so loud! From where I sat I could just about make out their words. Hatori and Shigure both seemed to be there as well as Yuki.
"Yuki, please just listen. This isn't a game, it's very important. What were you doing before you headed home?" Shigure asked seriously. His voice was grave, the playfulness completely gone. It surprised me and I strained to hear the answer as the volume of the discussion had lowered by the time I got there.
"I said I don't know." Yuki answered irritably.
"It was only yesterday." Was the impatient answer to Yuki's statement.
"So what if it was? I can't remember something I can't!" Silence followed the outburst and I held my breath, waiting.
"Yuki, answer me honestly on these questions, okay? What did you do in school last Friday?"
"… I don't know."
"Did you remember to turn in you essay?"
"What essay?"
"Do you remember Kagura visiting last week?"Shigure asked, dismay growing steadily in his voice.
"She did?"
"Yes, she came to visit Kyo."
"The orange haired guy?" The statement was questioning and I froze. Wha-?
"Yes, him, he's your cousin. Yuki, do you know who Tohru is?"
"The girl from before?" Once again, the tone was uncertain, as though he didn't know for sure.
This wasn't making any sense. Why was he playing ignorant? Or maybe he wasn't… He'd been acting weird all day… The questioning continued but I couldn't listen anymore. My thoughts were running rampage inside my head and I avoided the suspicion that has started to form. It would make everything make sense, but I didn't want it to. Better he was lying through his teeth. He better be lying! The sinking feeling in my gut wouldn't go away and I unsteadily rose and headed to my own room where I collapsed on my bed. He'd better not have forgotten. If he had, there'd no meaning anymore…
-: YUKI'S POV:-
Some time after I'd gone back to my room, Shigure entered together with Hatori. I wasn't sure how long it had been but I wasn't as angry anymore. I was still annoyed if I thought about it, of course. They closed the door behind themselves and locked it which made me frown, and then Shigure leaned against the wall while Hatori took my desk chair and seated himself by my bedside. I looked at them quietly for some time, wondering why they both had to be here. Was this about the fight earlier? Or was it something else?
"I heard you got into a fight with Kyo." Okay, so it was the fight. I sat up and moved until I had my back against the wall, looking at them. I waited for them to continue but when they seemed to want some kind of response I confirmed it.
"Yes and no. I didn't get into a fight. He attacked me." Shigure raised a brow and smiled while Hatori didn't react the least.
"It tends to be that way."
"He does that a lot?" The question seemed to shock the man against the wall. He stared at me as if I had suddenly grown a second head. Silence grew for a moment.
"My, I didn't know you to be such a joker!" Shigure exclaimed then and laughed heartily. I frowned. I wasn't kidding, I asked a serious question. He'd better have something more important to do here than making fun of me or he was in for a nasty surprise.
"Did you get hurt?" Hatori cut through the other man's laughs with this question and I looked at my wrists. One was starting to get a small bruise where it had rubbed against the floor, but nothing major.
"No, nothing much." I answered honestly and met the black haired mans eyes. He held my gaze for a moment and then nodded.
"That's good. Akito wouldn't like it if you were hurt."
"Akito?" I asked in confusion. The name felt ominous for some reason and the look I was given at my question just furthered my discomfort.
"Yuki, has something happened?" Shigure had moved forward and was now standing beside Hatori, his expression worried and his voice carefully questioning.
"I don't know what you mean." I told him and he furrowed his brows and pursed his lips for a moment.
"If this is just a game, stop it now." He said then and I felt hurt at the accusation. Why would I be playing? I had no reason to! I told him so but he just continued to stare dubiously at me.
"Yuki" He said warningly and I growled in frustration. Why couldn't he understand that I wasn't pretending? And what was I supposed to be pretending either way?
"Why is this a game to you? What is it that I say that gives you that impression?" The questions came out louder than I would have expected, but I meant every word so I didn't care.
"I don't know what it would be if it wasn't. You're acting like you don't know what I'm talking about and it's annoying." Shigure answered and his voice, if not as much as mine, had risen in volume.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" I told him frankly and he scowled.
"Why are you doing this? I don't see the point!"
"I'm not doing anything! You are the one saying strange things and expecting me to understand you when I obviously can't!" I snapped and saw how something akin to distress crossed the man's features.
"Do you really not know what I'm talking about?" He finally asked after a tense silence. His voice was full of disbelief, but there was s sliver of dread in it that caught my attention. He truly expected me to know these things?
"I don't." At his crestfallen look of dismay I nearly wished I could take the words back, but I couldn't exactly lie about something like this. Then Shigure squared his shoulders suddenly and when he next spoke it was gravely.
"Yuki, please just listen. This isn't a game, it's very important. What were you doing before you headed home?" I was affronted that he still insisted that I must be playing with him but still answered the question honestly.
"I said I don't know." I saw how Shigure pursed his lips again.
"It was only yesterday." He muttered impatiently, more to himself than anyone else but I snapped at him either way, starting to get fed up with his attitude.
"So what if it was? I can't remember something I can't!" A tense silence followed my outburst and I thought I heard a slight rustle from somewhere above but passed it off as my imagination.
"Yuki, answer me honestly on these questions, okay? What did you do in school last Friday?" He asked me and I decided to ignore the once more insistent accusation that I wasn't being honest.
"… I don't know."
"Did you remember to turn in you essay?"
"What essay?" I asked in confusion but he didn't give me an answer, instead forging ahead with a new one of his own.
"Do you remember Kagura visiting last week?"Shigure asked, dismay growing steadily in his voice.
"She did?" I asked. It was a bit vague, but I remembered the girl.
"Yes, she came to visit Kyo."
"The orange haired guy?" I asked, remembering hearing it referred to him a couple of times. I guessed it was right and I was reassured of it when Shigure next spoke.
"Yes, him, he's your cousin. Yuki, do you know who Tohru is?" Was that overly-violent orangetop my cousin? Oh that's just great. I focused on the question he'd asked and made a guess again.
"The girl from before?"
"Yes, her name is Honda Tohru. Do you remember when she came here?" This question seemed to be important and I tried to recall it but found no earlier memories of the brunette than from when she woke me earlier. He wasn't happy with that answer.
"Then what about Kyo? What do you remember about him?"
"…" I frowned at the question. I hadn't met these people as far as I knew. The only ones I'd been meeting regularly were Shigure, Hatsuharu, Momiji and Ayame-nii and… No, I hadn't been meeting them regularly. But they had left the strongest impression in my mind. I couldn't remember ever meeting my cousin before earlier that day.
"Today is the first time I've met him." I finally answered and Shigure looked like he was ready to rip his hair out in frustration.
"Damn it Yuki!" He growled and I frowned. His eyes traveled faintly to Hatori who had stayed silent during the whole exchange and then back to me. Taking a deep breath he asked me another question.
"Yuki, do you remember anything other than me, Hatori and Ayame?"
"Of course I do." I deadpanned. What the heck was with that question? I knew plenty of stuff, just not the things he supposed I did…
"Tell me about a specific moment that you remember clearly." This time it wasn't Shigure speaking, but Hatori and we both jumped a little as the previously quiet man intervened. It took me a moment to recover and when I did, I took some more time to think back. Pictures, sounds and other parts of different memories flashed through my mind before it stopped on a particular one. I decided on that one and looked briefly at the two men who were gazing expectantly at me.
"I… I was sad for some reason, I don't quite know why, only that someone had said something really bad. I was just sad… Hatsuharu came and sat with me, not saying anything, just being there." I said slowly and paused at several points. It was a short summary of it; I didn't feel like going into details of how he'd grabbed my hand and slowly rubbed his thumb in circles on it in a soothing gesture or how shamelessly I'd cried. It was private.
"I see. How old where you?" He asked as a follow up and I thought back.
"About… 9 years I guess." Shigure glanced at Hatori who returned the look briefly. It felt like something passed between them but I had no way of knowing what.
"Where were you when that happened?" Shigure questioned carefully and I thought about it. I knew where it was, but for some reason I didn't have a name for the place. I only knew it was familiar, if a bit ominous. Like something bad had happened there… I dropped that chain of thoughts in order to answer the question.
"I'm not sure." Now Shigure turned to Hatori.
"Can you come with me for a moment?" He asked the other man who looked up and nodded. They headed out the room, telling me to wait just a moment. I tried my best not to feel left out, but an annoyed huff still escaped my lips. I turned my head and looked out the window. It was starting to turn dark. I still hadn't eaten yet… My stomach wasn't complaining that much though, it seemed pretty content with silently aching, a sullen reminder that it needed nutrition every once in a while. But I remained where I was, silently counting the clocks ticks while I waited.
I had reached 454 when they entered again and I gave them a curious once over. Hatori looked mostly like he'd looked before, but he didn't seem to be the kind of person to show his emotions openly so it didn't surprise me. Shigure's expression was a sight though. His face was scrunched up in a look of worry and poorly hidden dismay. He wouldn't look at me and I felt an unnatural stillness settle over me. Whatever was about to happen, wouldn't be good. The air seemed heavy with forbearance and I found myself swallowing thickly.
"Yuki, this may be confusing and disturbing news to you, and I want you to take it easy. You suffer from memory loss, amnesia. To what extent I can't be certain before we speak longer, but I think it's safe to assume you remember barely anything from the past year at the least. And some names seem to have fallen away as well. I am sorry." Hatori told me carefully, watchful of any reaction I might have. But I didn't really do anything. I have amnesia? What the fuck do they know to assume that? I'm perfectly fine. I sighed eventually and then fixed them with an annoyed look.
"If that's all, can I go and eat now? I'm tired of these games."
"Yuki, this is serious. Please listen to…" Shigure started carefully.
"Why do your words have meaning when mine don't?" I interrupted and he blinked, obviously surprised.
"I didn't mean…" He began but I ignored him and after getting to my feet headed out of the room. I closed the door after me and headed down the hall.
Amnesia? Yeah right.
A/N: Now go on and read the next chapter! And leave a review while you're at it!