Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket, if I did I wouldn't be a poor college student, now would I?
Please be aware of yaoi and all that good jazz. Please don't say I didn't warn you~~
This is my first Fruits Basket story. Be gentle.
About the name: I heard the lyrics to the song by Taylor Swift and instantly thought of it being from Kyo's point of view, watching Yuki trying holding himself with a smile, trying to force the world to think he is okay. *Shrugs* I liked it. Go listen to it!!
Author Note: When referring to Akito, I capitalize 'Him' and 'His' because he is a God to them, so they are honoring him that way.
[Kyo's POV]
The clock that rested on the table was signaling it was only two thirty in the morning, its red glow teasing me. Fucking rat. Throwing my arm over my face in an attempt to hide that taunting glow from seeping any more into my head.
Shigure's voice swam in my head, her answer to Mimiji's inquiry prodded at my mind. Love. Hmph. What a bullshit emotion. My brain tried to recall a time where I had ever been loved.
'I love you so much, Kyo…'
I brushed away the memory of my mother rather quickly. She didn't love me, she was scared of me. I was her burden. Fingers brushed the unfriendly beads that found their position at my wrist. A finger twisted between the beads and my hot flesh, how tempting was it wrench this reminder of my curse away.
If only it was that easy to remove this stupid curse. I just wanted to rip the bracelet off, send the beads flying and be free. But it wasn't that easy. .. If only..
A whimpering sound yanked me out of my thoughts. Keen ears picked up the soft moan of a nightmare. Tohru? The thought of her being afraid shot me up out of bed, tumbling slightly on the sheets that had wrapped themselves around me. "Fucking sheets…"
Ripping the fabric from around me, I slid the door open slowly and peeked out into the hallway. There was no movement, why wasn't anyone going to check on her? Running my hand through my hair, I began my journey to Tohru's door.
Pressing my ear against the door it accrued to me that this wasn't the source of the sound. Turning away from the door, I began my trip back to my room, mumbling that I must be hearing things when the soft noise came again.
Placing the palm of my hand against the door way, I slid it open to gaze into the room, seeking out the source of the sound. It was only when I finally took in all of the room did it dawn on me who's room it was.
I should have known from the stink. The rat was curled up on his bed, fingers grinding against the soft surface of the mattress, trying to dig into it. Lips curled up into a grimace as his head rolled side to side. My heart heaved. He was in pain.
Taking a step closer, my hand extended, as if to comfort him.
"…Akito…"
His whispered voice said only one thing. His name. My hand dropped when his face scrunched up again. The sudden movement of his body caused me to take a step back as his body turn over so he faced the wall.
"Ah. What do we have here, the cat here to protect the prince?" An amused voice rang out behind me, tossing a glare over my shoulder, I watched Shigure smother a giggle, his eyes dancing brightly. The sparkle in his eyes faded as they took in Yuki's quivering figure on the bed. A groan. "Sad. He used to have those nightmares every night, but they were ten times worst."
It felt like there was a pit in my stomach.
"W…what happened to him?"
He tut at me softly, wiggling his finger in my face. "Ah, that is for Yuki to tell. But, from what I've heard it was something I wouldn't wish on my mortal enemy." And with that I heard the whooshing of his robe as he retreated back to his room.
But he is my mortal enemy.
Did that make it right? Should I be happy for the pain he had inflicted on him? It wasn't happiness that filled me, it was something I couldn't quite put my finger on.
No. I hate the rat. I'm glad.
[Yuki's POV]
Lifting a hand to press against my chest, my breath deepened. The night be fore's nightmares resurfaced in my mind. Grimacing, I shoved them into the dark vault of my mind.
Wrapping my fingers around the warm the tea cup, I eyed Ayame and Shigure's animated conversation. It would seem they were discussing old high school days when they ran ramped through the schools.
Tohru, I noted was staring out the window, excitingly proclaiming that the snow was getting harder outside. It had started snowing late in the night and had yet to stop. The trees were covered as well as the grass with a heavy blanket.
Kyo glared at his glass set before him, as if he was trying to melt it down to a puddle of glass and milk. "What ya want?" A brassy voice startled me, I hadn't realized that I was still watching him. Flustered, I glance away, feeling the hot blush creep onto the crests of my cheeks.
"--- You'll go, right Yuki?"
Dazed, I struggled to raise my eyes to gaze into Ayame's honey gold eyes. "Sorry, can you repeat that?"
The older two Sohma's exchanged a glance. If was either my dazed confusion or blush that caused their teeth to flash in bright smiles. "Why Yuki, does my beauty daze you that much?" I felt his finger tips brush my chin, trying to gaze into my eyes as if to read my mind. I gave him nothing but a dirty glare.
Shigure leaned forward to speak directly to me. "Ayame said, Yuki, that Akito has extended an invitation to come to the Main House tomorrow isn't tha-"
"No." My tea cup thump hard on the table as I brought it down. Kyo's red eyes flashed at me, giving me a look that almost looked like concern before quickly closing.
Ayame placed his tea cup down gently as Shigure quickly spoke up "Its not like you can say no, Yuki. Hatori will be here tomorrow to get you. I don't think it would be in your best interest to fight this."
"Its an invitation, isn't it?" The pair nodded slowly. "Then I can decline it." And with that, I rose up from my spot.
"Yuki you have to go!!" The harsh voice startled me, it had come from Ayame. His eyes were hidden behind the veil that his hair created as he bowed his head. "If you don't go… Akito… I won't allow it. He just wants to speak to you. Hatori promised." He raised his face, his eyes full of trust for Hatori's words.
Fists curled as I twisted my back to them. It wouldn't be the first time Hatori lied for Akito, I sure as hell wasn't going to fall for it.
"Yuki…"
"No. You all can just go fuck off. Get away from me…" I could feel the tears burning up in my eyes. I had to get out of here before I broke down. I bolted out of the door, pausing only to shove my shoes on.
[Kyo's POV]
The room grew quiet before Tohru spun around and began to make her way to the door. Shigure grabbed the hem of her shirt, but before I could make a remark he was explaining to her that she shouldn't go out side into the storm.
Her eyes streamed the tears that I knew would drive Yuki crazy, they did it to me too. I hated seeing her cry. Perhaps that's why my stupid self volunteered to go find him. Tipping back the glass in my hand, I slugged the rest of the milk. The cool liquid soothed my nerves as I slowly rose from my comfortable place on the floor.
She tied a scarf around my neck, giving me a soft smile. "Find him. Please. Don't get sick, either of you. Be safe…"
"Yeah…"
I walked out into the bitter cold, wrapping my arms around my body as I walked. As soon as I could no longer see anyone peeking out of the windows I started running. White fluffs of air filled the air as I breathed in and out, my pace staying steady.
"Hey, ya damn rat, where are you?" Calling into the growing dark woods. My pace slowed as I tried to listen to the woods, trying to hear that stupid rat.
[Yuki's POV]
I ran as far as my body would allow before dropping into the snow. The tears were streaming quickly as I fell onto my hands and knees. The snow bit at my skin, sending chills down my body as I remained in that position.
Akito.
Akito.
Akito…
The room was dark, it was always dark. No sun reached this room. It was my cage, where Akito said His favorite pets belonged. But it was only me there. Only the rat. He said that was because I was HIS special pet, the rat was special.
I curled up on the floor in the farthest corner from the door, tears festering in my eyes.. It was cold. Children's laughter in the distance rang in my ears.
I wondered if they were members of the zodiac too? Akito said that they didn't like me, that they blamed me for our curse. That's why He kept me in here, to protect me.
The door opened slowly, my body flinched involuntary. Wincing, I felt the pain. The pain that was the memory of previous visits from Him. His robe made a soft 'shhhhh' sound as he walked slowly towards where I crouched.
"Look at me." An arctic voice demanded from above me.
Struggling, I pushed my chest up. My body screamed out in agony. He shifted, lowering himself to one knee. His fingers found their place on my chin to give me a hard tug until He could gaze deeply into my eyes.
Dark teal eyes took in my fearful face. Perfect lips parted. "You look stupid when you cry." He ridiculed .
"Actually," He corrected. "You look stupid all the time."
I didn't move, breath, nothing. Our eyes remained locked onto each other.
"You're boring. No wonder no one likes you."
I tugged my arms around myself, trying to place my gaze anywhere but on His face. 'Please. Oh god, please, stop looking at him' I begged my body. 'Stop this… it hurts…'
"I do you a favor, you know. Keeping you in here…" He moved his face away from mine, leaning forward until His lips pressed tenderly against my earlobe. "for who would want to be around someone like you?"
His hand moved away from my chin and rested on my shoulders momentarily before sliding down the length of my arms. Tugging me closer, I fell into his arms. Stronger arms embraced me. A whimper escaped my lips. A chuckle broke from His chest, He loved to hear my fear.
"You're lucky I am so generous. You're so very lucky that I love you, Yuki. Who else would love a dirty rat like you?" His voice was like velvet as He brought His face slowly down to meet mine, pressing His lips against mine in a bruising fashion.
My body shuddered. His body pressed against His as the kiss deepened. Sometimes I didn't know what was worst. The bruises or the kisses.
This was how Kyo found me. Curled up in a ball, tears streaming quietly down my face. My hands tangled up in my hair, trying not to scream.
I was in pain.
Agony.
Didn't anyone ever see that? How many times did Hatori treat my cuts and broken bruises with out question. Didn't the teeth marks all over my body send questions through him?
How could they all just ignore me?
Was…Akito right? Did no one actually like me?
Would no one ever love me? My mind flashed to the cat.
No.
No one.
Ever.
A dry sob broke free of my throat as my little body began to quake with the cold that bit into me. The storm was picking up, the wind was blowing the cold flakes hard into my face. It didn't matter. No one care if the stupid rat ended up dead.
Why should they care? If I was the reason for the curse then my death would be the cure.
"Yuki?" A faint voice questioned. "Are you alright?"
Am I alright? Of course I am, I just figured out a cure to our stupid curse.
Warm hands wrapped around my arms, heaving me into a up right position. My head hung, my chin resting against my chest as I shivered and silently cried. I didn't want to look up at the voice, I knew who it was.
I had hear this voice challenge me way to many times not to recognize it. I felt a soft fabric wrap around my throat. The smell of musk and the woods filled my nose, fingers raised to brush the garment around my neck, realizing it was a scarf.
"Yuki?" He tried again.
Shouldn't worry them anymore.
A sigh formed in my lungs, I blew it out before plastering my phony smile on. "I'm fine.. Thank you."
"Don't."
Eyes lifted to watch his narrow with anger. "Eh?"
"Don't even fucking try it, rat." His build rose quickly and rotated, forcing me to stare at his back. Fists tighten. Scoffing, he shook his head. "No. Don't even try. That stupid fake smile you use on everyone else doesn't trick me. I ain't that stupid."
Shoulders hunched as he attempted to put his thoughts together. "You're so stupid."
Akito's voice rang out in my head.
"What do you gain from hiding your pain from everyone?! You can't keep yourself happy with a smile. That smile may keep everyone else happy, but it doesn't do jack shit for you. You're still left unhappy, except with a smile hiding it so no one knows!"
I blinked.
"Do what you want for once, okay?"
'So what do you want, Yuki? Love? Freedom? Death? What do you want my little Yuki?' Akito's voice whispered in my ear.
"Do what makes you happy. Forget everyone else for awhile. Smile when you want too. Your real smile is better than that nasty fake one, anyways." He turned to glance over his shoulder at my quivering figure. Stepping close, his arm extended. Instantly I jerked back, causing a frown to pass over his face.
Holding his hand in front of my face, he tried again. "Well, Yuki, what do you want?"
Blinking, I slowly took his hand, him helping to pull me to my feet. Struggling to steady myself, my fingers curled around his hand to keep myself up.
We continue to exist there. His red eyes seemed to have faded down to a gentle brownish hue as he gazed into my eyes. His hand was warm. It felt…
It felt nice.
The snow whirled around us, the little flurries finding their spots on our hair and faces. Melting when they found themselves stuck on Kyo's warm skin.
His lips arched into a smile, mine curled into a matching grin.
….
….
Kyo's smile faded slowly, bringing a bit of sadness to me, he looked better when he smiled. I frowned at that thought. Kyo never looked good. Ever.
Yanking his hand out of mine, a jeering look took over his tan face. "Ugh, now my hand smells like rat!!"
Shoving his hands deep into his pocket, Kyo took off in the direction, I assumed, was for the house. I slowly walked after him, fingering the edge of the scarf as I walked. He was a weird one, that cat. Perhaps he is bipolar, I amused the theory as I inched the scarf closer to my nose.
Inhaling the scent, I realized that it was Kyo's scarf I was wearing. A color raised in my cheeks at the same time that I reached where Kyo waited for me in the distance.
'Well, Yuki, what do you want?'
_
AN: Wow. That was fun. Akito is not my favorite character to write for, since he is so hard to nail. He is so creepy. Yes I do know the issue with Akito that's address in the manga but not the anime, but I'm just not going to use that fact.
Review & keep reading please!!
