I've been staying with the kind Sohmas and Honda-san for not even a day,but I felt like Kyo hated me. I didn't know why it bothered me so much,seeing how many other people hated when they found out I was a beast. Heck,alot of people shunned me just because of how I acted. I was always the freak,the outcast,the quiet one. I never actually talked to or even got near many people,and you all know why. But,alot of the people just think that I think I'm better than them. I hate it! I hate having them taunt me or giving me cold looks. I want to tell them why I isolate myself from them,but then they'd just treat me worse.
Suddenly,I heard Kyo-kun yelling at me.
"Hey,we're talking to you!"he exclaimed,waving his hand in front of my face. I blinked,and looked at the four people seated with me at the table.
"Hn?"I asked slightly dazed.
"I asked if you were feeling alright,Hikaru-san. You haven't even glanced at your food."Yuki told me. I stared blankly at everyone,then realized where I was.
"I-I'm... I'm fine,I was just... Just..."my tongue tied in knots as I searched for words. "Thinking."I finished. I picked up my chopsticks,and looked at the food on my plate. Tohru had prepared meso soup,along with fried leeks and rice. It smelled wonderful,but I couldn't bring myself to eat it. I slowly put the chopsticks down,and I looked away from them all. "I'm sorry. I just... I can't eat it. I've done nothing to deserve your care."I told them quietly.
"But,Hikaru-san,you need to eat."Yuki said.
"I'm sorry,Sohma-kun."I muttered.
"Tohru made this dinner,the least you could do is try it!"Kyo yelled at me.
"She never said that she didn't like it,you stupid cat!"Yuki shot back. I stood up,and walked out of the room. I grabbed my shoes,and closed the front door behind me. I hoped they wouldn't get too mad because of my rudeness.
"Hikaru-san?"I heard the faint sound of one of their voices call my name. I put my shoes on quickly,and looked for a place to get away that was still close to Sohma-kun's house. But,I was too slow.
"Hey,I didn't mean to upset you,you know."Kyo told me,but I didn't turn around to face him.
"It's not that."I said after a short silence.
"Then what?"he asked,and I could hear the slight annoyance in his voice. I turned around,and looked him in the eye.
"I've done nothing to deserve all of your guy's kindness. I mean,you've only known me for,what? Seven hours? And,you still offer me a place to stay. It just doesn't make sense!"I told him. There was a period of silence between us.
"There's alot of things that don't make sense."he pointed out. Well... I had to agree on that statement,because it's true. There are alot of things that don't make sense. "Like..."Kyo continued,"...the fact that you just won't accept that we accept you."he told me,tilting my head up to look at him. My heart started pounding,and I was sure that Kyo could probably hear it,too. Then,the realization of what he had just said dawned on me. My eyes widened,and I suddenly felt a feeling that I hadn't felt for atleast three years:I felt wanted. There were four people right now that accepted me. They wanted my presence.
The others who took me in were kind,but it was a fake kindness. Right when they found out what I had done,the thing that caused me to run away,they were cold. They seemed to be frightened of me,frightened for their lives,or their children's lives,or anyone else's lives but my own. Not all of them showed it,but I sensed it. Half of them threw me out,while the others I just ran away from. My own cousin didn't even want me! The only reason he let me stay with him was because we used to be close,and the fact that his sister would never let him hear the end of it if he kicked me out into the streets.
I felt tears well up in my eyes,and I gritted my teeth slightly as I tried not to cry. I got even more upset when I sensed Kyo feeling uneasy. Why did I have to be the kind of person who cries easily? But,luckily,I was also the kind of person who could stop herself from crying,but it's not as easy. And this time,it was even harder. I finally gave in,and cried gentley. I hiccupped as the tears rolled down and off of my cheeks,and either onto the shirt or the ground,which was already wet from the rain.
"What...? What is it? Please... Just don't cry."he said,sounding defeated. I hiccupped again,and wiped my face.
"Thank you... Kyo-kun."I got out in between quiet sobs. After another minute or so,I stopped crying. I wiped my face,trying to erase any signs that I had been crying at all. Without a word,Kyo went back inside. I followed,and took off my shoes again. I went back into the living room,and I sat back down in my seat at the table. But,Shigure-sama(A/N:tee-hee. "Shigure-sama" X3) wasn't there. "Uh..."
"Shigure went out for a walk."Yuki answered me before I had even asked.
"Why? Did his editor show up?"Kyo asked. Yuki nodded,and Kyo laughed. Yuki then turned to me.
"Hikaru-san,did my cousin say anything to upset you out there?"he asked me,a serious look on his face. I hadn't expected that question,so it took me a second to process what he had asked me,and Kyo just glared at him.
"Oh,um. No. He didn't."I said quietly,and Yuki looked a little surprised. Was... Kyo really that bad of a person? No,it was probably just the rivalry between the two that made it seem that way.
"Why do you always gotta assume that I did something wrong or said something that upsets someone,ya damn rat?!"Kyo yelled at Yuki,standing up and slamming his hand down onto the table.
"Because you always do."Yuki shot back.
"Not all the time!"
"Please,don't fight!"Tohru chimed in. Kyo was about to yell at her in anger,then realized who he was facing. He calmed down,and sat back down in his seat. I yawned,and looked at the nearest clock. It read 6:57. Wow. I'm not usually this tired until eight. Then again,I did wander around in the forest for atleast twelve hours,and I didn't sleep the entire time. I tried to stiffle the next yawn,but failed.
"Hikaru-san,are you tired?"Tohru asked,and I looked at her.
"No,I'm fine."I said.
"It's okay if you're tired. You can go to sleep if you want."Kyo told me.
"Um... But,where...?"
"We already decided that you'll sleep in Kyo's room,Hikaru-san."Yuki told me. Kyo opened his mouth to protest yet again,but closed it after a second. I guess he was going to try to deal with it. I stood up,and realized that I had no idea where Kyo's room was.
"Where is it?"I asked.
"Here,follow me."Kyo said,grabbing my wrist and practically dragging me behind him. He led me up some stairs,and into a large,spacey room.
"This used to be the attic,so I hope you don't mind."he said,letting go of my wrist. I noticed a futon was already rolled out,but the blankets weren't straightened and it was messy. But,hey. It was something for me to sleep on. There were also various papers and items scattered across the floor. I gave him a small smile.
"I don't mind,Kyo-kun."I said. He turned to leave,but accidentally slipped on a peice of paper. He started to fall,and,by instinct,I immediately grabbed his arm to stop the fall. But,I wound up being pulled down with him,and I landed on him. I heard a POOF!,and an orange cat was sprawled on the floor right in front of me,and Kyo's clothes were left scattered. I picked the cat up,and turned it so it faced me. "Wha-what the?! A cat?!"I yelled,my eyes probably as big as dinner plates. I poked it in the side a few times,to see if I was just seeing things. Nope. That cat was really there.
"Would you stop that?!"it suddenly yelled. If possible,my eyes got wider,and my mouth nearly fell off of my face.
"Ahh! A talking cat!"I yelled even louder,and it placed it's paw on my mouth.
"Will you be quiet?!"it yelled again. Wait a minute,I knew that yell.
"KYO-KUN?!!"I yelled,my voice at the loudest it could possibly be.
"Hikaru-san?! What's wrong?"Yuki and Tohru burst into the room,then froze. I turned to them.
"A... A talking cat... you guys,a talking cat! I-I think I'm going crazy..."I stuttered. Yuki looked like he was resisting the urge to bash his head against the wall next to him.
"Stupid cat..."he muttered. There was another POOF!,and there sat Kyo. Tohru yelped and turned around,blushing a deep red.
"AHH!!!"I yelled,falling backwards to the floor. 'H-he's naked! He's naked!! Ugh!'I thought,and closed my eyes. I would never be able to unsee this! I heard something rustling,and then a sigh.
"It's okay. My clothes are on,now."Kyo said. I opened my eyes,and sat up,and Tohru turned around as well. My eyes were still wide.
"Y-you're a... a cat,and..."I was at a loss for words.
"I knew this was going to happen..."I heard Yuki mutter under his breath.
"What's going on?"I asked. So,Yuki,Tohru,and Kyo all explained to me about a curse that was on the Sohma Family. And,that thirteen people could change into the animals of the spirits that possesed them.
"But,we'll only transform if we're hugged by someone of the opposite sex that's isn't a member of the zodiac,or if our bodies are weak and under a great amount of stress."Yuki finished. I gaped at them,then realized so. I closed my mouth.
"So,that explains the 'stupid cat'-'damn rat' thing."I said. The three nodded,and I placed my hand over my forehead. I took it off with a small sigh. "I feel unwell..."I muttered. Tohru immediately touched her hand to my forehead.
"You do feel like you've got a temperature,Hikaru-san."she said. "I'll go get a washcloth and some cold water!"she said,rushing out of the room.
"I'd better get you to eat something,as well."Yuki said to me,and left the room to get my dinner.
"Het,sorry about that. I didn't mean to make you see anything you weren't ready to see."he told me. There was a short silence between us again. "I'm going outside again."he said,and left without another word. Tohru came in about thirty seconds later,with a bowl filled with cold water,and a washcloth. She placed it in the water,and then Yuki came in with the plate of food I hadn't even touched.
"Here,Hikaru-san. You should try to eat something."he told me,placing the dish on a tray he had also brought up.
"Thank you,Sohma-kun,and Honda-san."I told them.
"You're very welcome."Yuki replied.
"It's no trouble! Really!"Tohru told me.
"I hope you feel better."Yuki said,and he and Tohru walked out of the room. I took a bite of the leeks,and also a bite of the rice. Wow,Tohru was a great cook! I tried the meso soup,and it tasted wonderful as well. After five minutes,there was still some food left,but I was full. So,I set aside the tray,and felt the water in the bowl. I realized they had put ice in it,to keep it cold. Just then,there was a knock on the door. Tohru opened it quietly,and I gave her a small smile.
"I brought some pajamas for you to wear,Hikaru-san."she said,and went over to me. She placed them next to the futon,and looked at the tray. "Are you finished?"she asked me,and I nodded. She picked it up and said,"I'll take it down into the kitchen." And she left after saying goodnight. I changed into the pajamas,and got into bed. I fell asleep instantly,forgetting about the washcloth with cold water.
I woke up,and opened my eyes slowly. I saw that a ray of light was shining through the window,causing the room to brighten. I yawned,sat up,and then something fell off of my forehead and onto the blanket. I looked at it,and noticed it was the washcloth Tohru had brought up to me the night before. I took it,and placed it back into the bowl. I heard some commotion downstairs,and got up. I walked down the hall,down the stairs,and into the living room. Tohru and helping Kyo pick up peices of a broken teacup,and Yuki was helping Shigure up from the floor. I noticed he had a blackeye.
"What happened?"I asked.
"I don't wanna talk about it!"Kyo yelled,and and stomped off,leaving Tohru to pick up the rest of the cup.
"Shigure was being his usual perverted self,that stupid cat got mad at him,and punched him."Yuki said with a sigh.
"Oh,Yuki. Your words hurt me,like a sword through my heart."Shigure said,fake tears streaming from his eyes.
"Be quiet."Yuki said,shooting a small glare at the man.
"Good morning,Ru-san!"Shigure changed the topic.
"Umm.. Ru-san...?"I questioned that nickname.
"What? You don't like the nickname I gave you?"Shigure made a fake puppy-dog face.
"Well,to tell the truth... no. I don't."I told him. He wiped away more fake tears,and Yuki sighed at him.
"Hikaru-san,how are you feeling?"Tohru asked me.
"Much better,Honda-san."I told her with a sleepy smile.
"That's good."Yuki commented. I sniffed the air.
"Is... something burning?"I asked quietly. Tohru's eyes went wide.
"Ahh! I forgot about breakfast! The food's burning!"she yelled,and rushed into the kitchen. I followed her into the kitchen,and saw her tyring to save the three different foods that were turning a dark color. I grabbed one of the pans from her hands,and offered to help.
"Oh,no! You're a guest,I couldn't possibly take advantage-"
"You won't be taking advantage of me,Honda-san. I'm glad to help."I told her with a small smile,and she gave in. After a few minutes,her and I had finished making the plates for everyone. Wer brought them out,and sat them on the table.
"Ah,this is delicious! Thank my dear flower. And thank you,Hikaru-san,for helping her save the food from being burnt!"Shigure exclaimed. Then,he was hit in the face by a peice of food.
"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling Tohru your 'dear flower'?"Yuki asked him warningly. Shigure wiped his face with a kapkin,and then turned to me with a serious expression.
"Hikaru-an,you know about our family's secret,right?"he asked me. I had to think about that question for a moment before realizing what he was talking about.
"So... That really did happen? It wasn't a dream?"I asked.
"I'm sad to say,it was very real."Shigure said with a quiet sigh.
"Shigure,you do realize we'll have to talk to Akito about this."Yuki told him.
"Who's Akito?"I asked.
"Akito's the head of our family. We have to come to him for anything."Yuki said.
"But... If Akito says you're not allowed to stay,then we must have you leave. We can't go against his wishes."Shigure added. My head lowered slightly.
"Oh..."I said.
"Hikaru-san,you're going to have to meet him."Yuki told me. my eyes widened.
"Wha... I... have to... meet him?"I asked. I was,yet again,at a loss for words.
"I'll be happy to take her shopping for some clothes!"Tohru suggested. I gave them a questioning look.
"When sopeaking with Akito,you must dress in the appropriate manner."Yuki explained.
"So it's settled,then. Tohru shall take Hikaru-san shopping for new clothes!"Shigure exclaimed with a silly smile.