Author's note: Due to multiple people finding the first chapter interesting and requesting I continue, I have decided to add another chapter to the story. Once again, I'd like to remind the readers that I do not have the most perfect grasp on the personalities of the characters. I do not own anything except the hands used to type this all up. And, thank you all for the support. If anyone is suffering from an eating disorder or any other mental health problem, I recommend you seek help as soon as you can. Enjoy!

Kyo snapped awake at the feeling of an ice-cold hand on his flushed skin. He opened his eyes and stared, dazed, into the eyes of...

"Damn rat..." He said weakly. He pushed the cold hand off of his forehead. "Why the hell are you so cold?"

"I could ask you the same question, Kyo."

"I... Gahh, no! I meant why is your skin so damn cold?"

"Ah, right. You've been recovering in here for longer than you think. The weather ouside is starting to change. The first snow flurry of the season was today" Yuki replied, voice void of all emotion. Kyo muttered something rude and turned on his side to face away from his cousin. Just then, Hatori walked in. He took a seat by Kyo's bed, next to Yuki.

"Greetings, Kyo, Yuki. Yuki, I need to have a word with Kyo in private, if you don't mind. Yuki stared at Hatori for a moment before standing up, ambling out the door.

A moment of tense silence passed after the door clicked shut. Hatori inhaled, opening his mouth to speak.

"Kyo," he began. Kyo sat up, but did not turn his head to look him in the eye. "I can tell you that no one in the family will be pleased to hear any of this."

"Why does everyone have to know in the first place?"

"When something like this happens in the family, it is out of the question that for it to be kept a secret from everyone."

"I'm barely even a part of the family, why should it matter?"

Hatori paused at this, beginning to understand what kinds of thoughts were behind all of this. After a brief moment of thought, Hatori spoke up again.

"Kyo, tell me. What sorts of things made you resort to bulimia?" Kyo took his sweet time thinking about this question.

"...I guess... it was my way of making my own decisions. Whether or not I ate, whether or not I..." he paused to swallow. "...kept it down... I could make those decisions because I was never given the choice of whether or not I'd be the monster, the disgusting creature in the family, hated by everyone." His voice was starting to leak irritation. "I just want to be my own man. I don't want it to already be decided for me whether or not..." He pauses again, looking away to avoid having his teary eyes seen. "Whether or not... I'm loved. S-So I want to be able to decide what I look like. And now, that's being taken away from me."

Hatori folded his hands in his lap. "I think I have a better understanding now." He sat in silence for a few moment, seeing if there was anything more to be said. "Well, the doctors say you're stable enough to be released within the next two days. I'll be over to talk with you and assess your mental state once you arrive home." He stood up and began walking towards the door, giving Kyo an awkward pat on the shoulder. "Good day, Kyo."


Kyo stood in front of the house, simply staring. He didn't want to go back in. He knew he'd have to face heartbroken family members, and, dear God, a heartbroken Tohru. He was suddenly overcome with guilt, his lower lip quivering slightly. He closed his eyes and tried to make the feelings pass, only to open them when he heard the door slide open.

It was Tohru. She was looking down, wringing her hands uncomfortably. She walked towards him, stopping a foot away.

"Kyo... I-" She started sniffling, her hands shooting up to wipe her eyes. "Y-Y-You could have t-told m-me you were hu-hurting!" She stated through soft gasps and lamentations. She was approaching hysteria, her shoulders hunching over as if she wanted to hide away and sob alone. Kyo stepped closer, gingerly raising a hand. Tohru ignored his hand and pushed herself forward, hugging him tightly in her arms. She hadn't realized what she was doing until all she was holding was a black shirt, smoke surrounding her. She dropped the shirt and knelt down to embrace the orange cat. Kyo hissed and ran off into the house, up to his room.

Tohru collected herself, then picked up his clothes and went back inside. She folded the clothes and left them in front of Kyo's door. Kyo's ears perked up at the footsteps outside his door, but he made no other motion.

An hour had passed, and Tohru was back at Kyo's door. She knocked , waiting for an answer. Kyo threw open the door, looking pissed. Tohru flinched, taking a step back. When she looked up, however, she noticed his eyes were red and his cheeks were thoroughly wet with tears. He went and sat on his bed, leaving his door open. Tohru took this as an invitation to walk in and sit on his bed with him. She moved to sit behind him and hugged his head to her chest, being as cautious as she could. He allowed tears to continue falling down his face. He could hear Tohru's heartbeat and feel the heat her body gave off. He felt loved. Truly loved and valued as family. He took her hand and gave it a small squeeze letting her know he was sorry silently.

"It's okay. I'm here now. You're okay." She whispered softly.