He laid on the top of the school roof watching the clouds roll past. It was just as well. He would be confined at the end of the school year anyways. Summer vacation dwelled in his mind. It had seemed like Akito was planning something anyways, like he was using her for something… perhaps now she would be free from his scorn. He had called her a monster! It was all wrong. "The best solution is for you to disappear."Akito's words ate at him. "Dragging that woman into all of this." Perhaps he should be imprisoned now. Just leave and then he wouldn't have to see her anymore. Akito would at least be happy about that.
"Oh hi!" An all too familiar voice said. Surprised he quickly sat up and saw Tohru standing at the top of the ladder. Was he hallucinating her already? "I didn't think anyone else would be up here." A slight blush came to her cheeks. She was so cute when she started rambling. She came over and sat down next to him. Extending her hand she smiled at him, "I'm Tohru. Honda Tohru. You are Sohma Kyo right? We are in the same class." He missed her so much. Missed her smiling at him like that. Even now as a stranger to her she still radiated such warmth. But what could he do? Could he smile back and pretend that nothing happened?
"Yeah hi," he said looking away ignoring her extended hand. "What do you want?" The icy word bit at him like daggers. But this was how he had first acted towards her wasn't it? Cold and distant. He had pretended not to know her then, couldn't he do that now? But his realization at the beach house ate at him. He loved her. He regretted already those lost moments when he had yelled at her and pushed her away. This wasn't what he wanted to be the cold wind to blow out her candle.
"Oh," she dropped her hand. "I just came up here to think. It's not something I usually do… but for some reason I thought the roof might be a good place to come to. Do you come up here often?" How many times had they sat on the roof together? Watching the sun rise of New Years. After Kagura had come to visit. He replayed the sweet memories in his head. He didn't say anything. He didn't know what to say. She continued on in a friendly tone. "You seemed angry earlier. Are you okay, Sohma? It might be nice to talk to someone if you are upset." Why. Why was she here talking to him? It was too much. He doesn't deserve it.
"It's none of your damn business," he snapped. He saw her smile waver at his outburst and his heart sank. "No I'm sorry. I…" Maybe he should just yell. Make her sad, make her mad. Make her never want anything to do with him. He would never have her back anyways. She didn't know about the curse anymore… really what could he hope for? He could never bring back her memories. Even if he did it wasn't like she loved him, right? Still he heard himself say in a softer tone "You can call me Kyo." How could he be cold to her? He couldn't bear to see her hurt especially at his own stupidity. He could still be civil with her. They were just classmates after all.
"You're cousins with Yuki right?" She asked politely.
"What? Oh, yeah." He couldn't keep the cold from his voice.
"Do you guys not get along?" She ventured.
"I hate that damn rat," he swore the familiar curse. He could see the vindictive anger take her by surprise.
"Rat?" she whispered almost to herself. Crap. She didn't remember that either. She seemed to be musing over the word. That cute look of concentration on her face and he could feel his tension melting away. "I like you." Just a short time ago he had longed to get the courage to say it. Not that it could never even happen. "It's funny you should say that," she continued, "I dreamed Yuki was a rat the other night. Does that sound crazy? You were in my dream too, you changed into a cat! And some other people were there too I don't recognize, but they were…" A blush crossed her face as he stared at her. "Oh but now you are looking at me like I'm crazy. I'm sorry that was weird of me to say…" She trailed off into her own thoughts. He was shocked. Did she just say that… His heart beat faster. Why would she dream such a thing? Could it be? "Oh well I should go. Uo and Hana are probably wondering where I am." She sighed with a little reluctance, but with that she left him standing there staring after her.
Do you remember me?