Hello everyone! Thank you for taking the time to read the first chapter on my fanfic, "More Than Words". I appreciate you leaving a review so I know if you like it or if there's anything I can change. I hope you stick around, because this is going to be a long story! I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it!


Kyo wakes up and immediately wants to go back to sleep. Not because he hated how the morning light blinded him every time he opened his eyes. Not because he hardly got any sleep the night before, and he was too exhausted to function for the day. Not even because sleep was the only way to escape his alcoholic father. It's because today is his first day of his second year of high school, the last place he wants to be.

For Kyo, school is a waste of time. He often thinks why he attends a class where he has to learn algebra that he will never use. And don't get him started on reading; it's so boring that he could hardly stand it. I should have read a book last night to help me fall asleep, he thinks to himself. And socializing with his peers wasn't exactly his thing either. He would much rather be in the mountains in solitude, meditating or practicing martial arts. In fact, martial arts is what he loves to do the most and has thought several times to drop out of school and pursue his only passion.

But as he thinks this, an image of his deceased mother comes to his mind. He remembers her long brown hair falling over her face as she smiled so gently at him as a child. Although she passed away when he was just twelve years old, he remembers how much she loved him and how protective she was of him. He also remembers that she thought that his education was highly important, that it would be the milestone of his future. He knew that if she were alive, she would be entering his room right now and tell him that he better be ready and down stairs in ten minutes if was going to make it to school on time. Even though there would have been sternness in her voice, there would also be her sweet smile and that was enough for him to get out of bed. He sighed, got dressed, and headed down the stairs.

When Kyo reached the end of the stairs, he peered into the living room. He saw his father passed out on the couch, loudly snoring, empty whiskey bottle in hand. This image would shock most kids his age, but ever since his mother passed away five years ago, his father took it upon himself to bury his depression by meeting the bottom of a whiskey bottle almost every night. And thus, this was Kyo's everyday life now. He was disgusted of what his father has become, and even more disgusted that he looked just like the man that he despised the most. Kyo walked passed him quite loudly knowing that he was so knocked out by the heavy drinking it would take several sirens in his ears to wake this man up. Kyo passed him with a glare and headed towards the kitchen.

Kyo didn't know why he entered the kitchen when he knew very well that there would be nothing in it. He used to receive a big breakfast every day made by his mother when he was a child, and because of those memories he had a slight hope that maybe there would be a stack of pancakes piled sky high sitting on the table or he would be walking in to the smell of sizzling bacon on a skillet. But to his dismay, like every morning before, there were no such breakfast waiting for him, or any ingredients to even attempt to make anything close to it. The cabinets were actually starting to collect a layer of dust because they have not been opened in so long. He opened the fridge and only saw beer bottles stocked inside. He sighed and closed the fridge door. When he closed the door, however, he noticed that there was half of loaf of sliced bread loosely wrapped on the counter. He took a piece out and put it in his mouth and immediately wanted to spit it out as it was stale and surely expired. But it was food and he needed something to give him some sort of energy to get through his first day back to school.

He starts to walk out the kitchen back door but not before he shouts, "I'm going to school! I'll be back whenever!" He says this knowing that his father could not hear him, and he would probably forget that he would be at school today. He shoves the rest of the bread into his mouth and heads out, slamming the door behind him.

As Kyo starts to walk to school, he suddenly remembers how long of a walk it will be to get there. He lives just under two miles away from the high school, but he doesn't mind. The long walks to and from school help him clear his head and one of the few moments that he can enjoy in solitude. It's not like he doesn't mind being in company, but the people who tend to associate themselves with him are aggravating to him or have destroyed his trust. That's why his anger has become more aggressive over the years; to avoid the disappointment that people would surely bring into his life. It's better this way, Kyo thinks to himself.

He finally reaches the gates of the high school, and the image reminds him of how much he hates this place. The building consists of three floors, each floor for each of the high school grades. It stands as a grey concrete prison with two windows placed per classroom. How perfectly placed the building was made Kyo sick. The only reason why he chose this school is because it had its own dojo that was open to the students. It wasn't very popular currently, which made him enjoy it even more. I'm definitely going there after school today, he thinks to himself. He smiles at the thought and walks over to the school's bulletin to see which class he would be placed in.

Kyo scans the papers nervously. He knew that once school was back in session, there would always be a risk of running into a girl with shoulder length brown hair with anger issues that happened to be obsessed with him. He desperately searches for his name in hopes to find it quickly and get the hell out of there before he has been discovered.

"Did you see who's going to be in our class this year?" Kyo jumped at the sudden voice beside him. He automatically assumed that it was Kagura before he could process the voice, but when he turned to the direction the voice was coming from, he recognized his black and white haired cousin.

"Why the hell did you sneak up on me like that?!" Kyo yelled, still recovering from the panic he had thinking Kagura was beside him and not Haru.

"So you didn't find our class list yet?" Haru said, not reacting to Kyo's panic.

"Uh…" He looks back the lists and after a moment, found that he would be in class 2-C this year. He knew Haru was in his class this year because he had mentioned "our class". He and Haru had been in the same class last year as well. When he looked below his name, his worst nightmare had been realized. Along with Kagura, he couldn't stand his cousin Yuki, and now they would be in the same class together for an entire year.

"You're staring at that list awfully long. Did you see something you don't like?" Speak of the devil, Kyo thinks to himself. Yuki was standing behind Kyo, with an emotionless face.

"Yeah, I did," Kyo says, glaring at his grey haired cousin.

"I can't believe it took you that long to find your class. What are you, some kind of idiot?"

Kyo grits his teeth and curls his fingers into a fist. This is exactly why he can't stand Yuki; he was always so demeaning and just asking for a punch in the face. "You know, I kind of wanted to start school on a good foot, but I'll happily get suspended on the first day if it means I can beat you to a pulp. How's that sound, pretty boy?"

Yuki's mouth curls into an evil smile. "That would sound intimidating, if you actually had a chance against me."

Kyo raises his fist in an attempt to make a swing at Yuki, and Yuki changes his stance ready to find his fiery orange-haired cousin. However, Haru steps in between them and intervenes in the potential fight. "Alright you two, let's get to class before you kill each other."

Kyo objects as he would love nothing more than to leave a dent in Yuki's face. But Haru was doing an excellent job holding onto Kyo's collar, being sure to keep distance between Kyo and Yuki. Yuki rubbed his temple in annoyance as Kyo went on and on how he was going to beat him up. Kyo didn't care that he was getting strange looks from his classmates as he continued to make threats to his cousin. If he had to chance to challenge Yuki, he would do it and he would win… this time.

Even though Kyo and Yuki argued with each other the entire time, Haru somehow managed to cattle them into their homeroom without them actually physically hurting each other. They glanced at their teacher's seating chart on the desk, and unfortunately for Kyo, Yuki would be sitting across from him. There really is no escaping this damn Yuki! Kyo thinks to himself. He speed walks to his desk and falls into his seat, wanting desperately to be anywhere but here.

He doesn't dare look to his right, for it would be the direction his stupid cousins would be sitting. Instead he looks to his left, gazing out one of the second windows and immediately starts daydreaming. At least this seat has a view, Kyo thinks to himself. In the background he can hear the chatter of excited gregarious students; excited to see each other after the long summer break and excited to start a new year of high school. His classroom is full of friendships, some genuine, some fake, but he was sick of all of them. That's why he plans to leave it all behind him in three months.

An image of his mother immediately rushes into his mind as he thinks this, but he reassures her that competing in the martial arts competition and winning the $10,000 prize money would be a milestone for his future. He had heard about this competition before summer break and sparked his idea of using the prize money to move out and use the money as a down payment on a place of his own. Maybe with his new place, he could convert part of it to be a dojo, using it to practice martial arts and continue to compete in competitions for a living. Although this plan did have some flaws, it's the best idea Kyo has ever had and it was definitely going to get him away from his asshole father and everyone else around him. Don't worry Mom, Kyo thinks to himself, I'll continue to go to school until the competition. And if you keep bothering me about it, I'll transfer to a different school. I need to do this for myself.

Kyo sighs to himself and continues to look out the window. Thinking about the competition reminded him that he hasn't actually practiced at a dojo since school let up for summer break and he definitely needed to get back in the groove of things. Although he practices on his own accord outside, there's nothing quite like the atmosphere of a dojo. He reassures himself that going to the school's dojo afterwards would be his first stop. He smiles and instantly gets pumped up but his good mood only lasts for a moment before his thoughts are interrupted by an attack hug from a girl that he was oh too familiar with.

"Kyo! I've missed you so much during the summer! Why didn't you call me?" Kagura is latched onto Kyo tight. Even though Kyo is quite strong, it would take most of his strength to escape her grapple.

"And why the hell would I do that?"

"Kyo! I can't believe that you would say that! Don't you know, how much… HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU?!" As she says these last words, she picks Kyo up and slams him onto the ground. This of course is a common occurrence, for violence is how Kagura shows her love. This is also why Kyo tries to avoid her at all costs.

Kyo lays on the ground dumbfounded, but manages to say, "How did you even find me?"

Kagura changes her personality to her sweet side instantaneously. "That's easy, silly! I just so happened to see your name on the bulletin outside when I was looking for my class." Right. You just "happened" to see my name, Kyo thinks to himself. More like you purposely searched for my name.

"Yeah, well, you found me. Now you can leave."

Kagura puts her hands over her mouth and acts shocked like he would say something like that to her. "But Kyo, I just want to be by your side forever!" She picks him off the floor and hugs him tightly again, almost suffocating him.

As the show unfolds, Yuki and Haru are watching them with amusement, trying hard not to laugh at Kyo's misery. Finally Haru enters the conversation. "Kyo, I'm quite jealous of you. I wish I had a fiancé that loved me the way that Kagura does."

Yuki also joins in. "Yes I am too. When are you two going to set a date for the wedding?"

If looks could kill, Kyo would have killed them both ten times over. Before he could threaten them, Kagura chimes in. "We hope to be married next year, when I gradute!"

"When did I agree to that?!"

"Oh Kyo, don't you remember? When we were kids, you promised me that we would get married!"

"That's only because you threatened to kill me if I said no!" Kyo couldn't take it anymore. He was surrounded by idiots and he couldn't escape them. They were all still talking, though he wasn't sure if it was to him directly or a separate conversation. He was trying desperately to block out their voices but to no avail. I wish they would all just shut up! Kyo thinks to himself.

In this moment, Kyo feels the silhouette of a girl with fair skin and long brown hair pass him. He turns his head in her direction but can only catch the backside of her image. She has a small frame and two purple ribbons tied in her hair. For some reason, he cannot look away, not before seeing the front of her. The girl puts her bag on her desk and was about to turn around, but Kagura puts her face in front him and tries to kiss him.

"What are you doing?! Get away from me!"

"Aw Kyo don't be like that! This is normal for people who are in love!"

"And what people are you referring to? It sure as hell isn't me!" Kyo is desperately trying to hold Kagura's face away from him but she's not giving up so easily.

"Alright class, that's enough, settle down. Please take your seats." For the first time in Kyo's life, a teacher has been his saving grace. He looks at his teacher and notices that he has cold gray eyes, although some of his hair is covering one of them. He also presents himself as well collected in a wrinkle-free suit, and has three pens placed perfectly in his jacket pocket. Kyo instantly gets the feeling that this teacher was going to be difficult to be with for the rest of this semester.

The teacher eyes Kagura. "Kagura, although this has been your class before, I know it is not the case this year. Please go attend your class upstairs."

Kagura pouts but she listens to the teacher and begins to head out the door. However, she does not leave without turning in Kyo's direction and winking at him. The class begins to giggle at Kyo and Kyo turns red in the face. Not because he liked Kagura's notion, but because of how embarrassing this girl was to him.

When Kagura leaves the classroom, the teacher begins with his introduction. "Good morning, class. My name is Hatori Sohma and I will be your homeroom teacher for the semester." Sohma? Kyo thought it was odd that Hatori had the same last name as him when he was pretty sure he didn't have a relative with that name. He certainly hoped that they weren't related, because he had this feeling that this guy was going to be a hard ass and he didn't need any more of those kinds of people in his family.

Hatori continues. "I'd like you all to know that I will not be going easy on you, for I want you all to do your very best. Life does not give any handouts, and I will be the same way. But I would like to get to know you all a little better so I know what I'll be working with this year. So when I call out your name for attendance, please stand and tell me a bit about yourself."

I can't believe that I have to put up with this bullshit, Kyo thinks to himself. He already tries very hard to avoid conversation with his classmates already; why would he want to introduce himself to them and tell them about himself? He reassures himself and says that he just has to get past these three months and he would never have to see them again.

Hatori begins to take attendance and one by one, the students stand and introduce themselves to the class. He makes his way on the list to Haru and Yuki, and he is especially impressed by Yuki with his good grades and his involvement with student council. Kyo immediately wanted to vomit as he couldn't take the praise his stupid cousin was receiving. Hatori then called out Kyo's name and begrudgingly, he rose from his seat.

"Er, yes, my name is Kyo Sohma, and there's nothing else to know about me." Kyo immediately sits back down with his arms crossed around his chest.

Hatori continues to stare at Kyo, not amused by his introduction. "I've heard all about you from your pervious teachers, Kyo. And just so you are aware, I will not tolerate the behavior that you beseeched onto them. For example, I will not allow you to wear your uniform improperly while in my class. Please button up your shirt. If it happens again, you will be excused from class. And don't think of that as a reward."

Kyo could feel his eye twitching with annoyance. Don't tempt me, he thinks to himself. He grumbles and begins to button up his shirt. Just three more months of dealing with this crap.

Hatori continues down the list. "Tohru Honda."

Kyo turns around and sees the girl with fair skin and long brown hair stand and sees that she is two seats down and the next row over him. He also notices that she has a pair of big brown eyes to match her hair. He won't admit to it, but one of the first things that popped into his head when he first saw here was "cute". As she's standing there, she begins to fidget and is completely silent. She opens her mouth as if she were to say something but she decides against it and sits back down without saying a word. The students in the class begin to whisper at her awkward introduction, and Kyo also wonders why she doesn't say anything.

"Ah, yes, I forgot," Hatori says, "you're the student that lost her voice."