Sorry I took so long to update this. I haven't been on the computer much. But hey, at least it hasn't been like…a month and a half (Which is the situation on another site I'm on and have a Fruits Basket store written. And it's a Shounen-Ai. HA. You can imagine how upset my readers over there are…) ANYWAY, this chapter is a tad bit boring, but it is important! And I don't think I edited it very well…haha
"Here." Kimini said softly and handed the silver haired librarian a book, "I finished it."
"Thank-you, Kimini-kun." She smiled and put the book beside her, "Taking out anything today?"
"I'm going to look at some books on the zodiac." She replied, "For an assignment."
"Those are in the Chinese History section." She said and pointed towards the back of the library, "Right past the Chinese Literature section."
"Thanks."
Kimini walked away from the librarian and made her way towards the back of the library as she had instructed. Inside, Kimini found it a bit unnecessary to find a book on the zodiac as she already knew everything there was to know, but she was struggling with her paper.
"I guess it's my own fault." Kimini mumbled to herself as she reached the Chinese History section, "I did pick one of the hardest animals to write about. There isn't much information on the cat…"
She found the section where books related to the Zodiac were and began scanning the book titles. The number of books available was limited to say the least. There were a total of 6 books. Kimini let out a sigh and pulled them all off the shelf.
"It's better than nothing, I suppose." She held them all against her chest, then walked out of the History section and back up to the librarian.
Smiling, she looked up, "That was quick." She took the books and began scanning them.
"There wasn't much to pick from." Kimini replied solemnly and handed the librarian her library card, "But I have to use something for my paper."
The librarian handed the books and her card back to her once everything was in order, "Well, I hope things work out for you."
"Thank-you, sensei."
Kimini left the library and started down the hall. She glanced down at her watch and, at seeing that it was nearly lunchtime, hastened her step so she could get to her locker and put her books away. As she got closer to her locker, she saw a familiar orange-haired boy leaning against the opposite wall. Kimini stopped mid-step and stared at him.
What is he doing here?
"I think I'll just go straight to the cafeteria…" She mumbled to herself and took a step backwards.
"Hey!"
Kimini winced as Kyo's voice reached her ears. She'd barely even turned around before he had seen her. Forcing a soft smile, Kimini faced him as he approached.
"H-hi, Kyo-kun."
"Yeah, look, I gotta ask you something." He shoved his hands into his pockets, "Do you…Do you wanna sit with us at lunch?"
"Us?"
"Me, Yuki, Tohru and her friends."
Kimini stared blankly at him for a minute. Was this some sort of joke?
"Uhh…I'm…actually I – "
"Just say something." He snapped, "God, what happened to you? You were so talkative the other night."
"Excuse me?" Kimini gave him a weird look.
"Nothing!" Kyo blushed, "Nothing. Forget. Are you coming or what?"
Kimini bit her lip, thinking hard. It could very well all be a joke and she'd show up in the cafeteria and look for Kyo and find them not there. Or, she could walk in and they would all motion her over and she'd be having lunch with friends for once. It would definitely be a first.
"Yeah." She said finally and nodded, "I'll come."
"'Bought time you answered. I'll see you in there then."
Kyo moved past Kimini and headed straight for the lunchroom. Kimini took a deep breath and went to her locker to put her books away.
After lunch, the day seemed to just fly by. Kimini's mood hadn't lifted at all; there was nothing she was looking forward to at home. So, what reason was there behind the day going by faster? Kimini simply shrugged the matter off and headed home. There was no going to Kyo's house that day. Well, there was an invite, but Kimini declined. Kabuto needed tending to and she STILL didn't want to bring him over, so, Kimini headed straight home after school.
I feel like I'm being so rude to them. They're being so nice to me and in return, I decline yet another invitation to their house….
Kimini grabbed the door handle of her house, still in thought I need to stop using Kabuto as an excuse…She pulled the door open and stepped inside with a giant Slosh
What the…?
Kimini looked to the floor and found it covered in water. She looked up. All the way down the hall, the floor was flooded with water.
"What is going on? Kabuto! Kabuto!"
"Kimini?!" Kabuto's voice returned from what sounded like upstairs.
Kimini dropped her bag and carefully made her way down the flooded hall and up the stairs. The upstairs hall was flooded as well. As were all the rooms. Kimini found Kabuto in his room, sitting in a chair with his feet pulled to his chest.
"Kabuto, what happened?! How did the house get flooded?"
Kabuto looked down, gripping tightly to his legs. Kimini looked at him.
"Kabuto." She said firmly, "What happened?"
The boy looked up at his sister and said in almost a whimper, "I left the water running this morning in the bathroom…"
"What did mom tell you about that?!" Kimini shouted in reply. Kabuto winced and pulled his legs tighter to his body, "You have to remember to turn the water off!"
"I know that!" Kabuto shouted back through tears, "I'm sorry!"
"Sorry doesn't un-flood the house!"
Kimini let out a sigh and rubbed her eyes Shit…now what? We can't stay here…Where are we supposed to go? And what's mom going to think when she gets back?
"Okay, Kabuto, come here. We have to get out. Where's your backpack?" She said and turned to leave the room.
"Outside." Kabuto muttered and got off the chair, "I also put your laptop and the memory box out there. Niether of them were damanged…"
At hearing the words 'memory box', Kimini whipped back around and looked at Kabuto. He simply stared up at Kimini with red, apologetic eyes. Kimini's expression softened and her lips curved into a small smile.
"You thought of dad's memory box?"
Kabuto nodded, "Of course. It's important to us…and mom too."
Kimini motioned for her brother to step forward. Kabuto, unaware of the fact that Kimini was no longer angry, hesitated before moving forward. Expecting something like a smack or a scolding, he closed his eyes slightly. But instead, he got a hug. For a second, he just stood there. Then, he smiled a little and hugged her back.
"Thanks, Kabuto." Kimini said softly.
"Aww, it was nothing." Kabuto said somewhat smugly, "I bet I could have saved a whole lot of stuff if I'd tried."
Kimini laughed a little and pulled away, putting her finger on Kabuto's forehead, "You're so big-headed. Keep it up and your head's gonna fall right off your shoulders." She pushed him a little and he stumbled, almost falling over.
"Now come on, we need to find a place to stay until we can get the house back in order."
"You invited her to sit with you at lunch?" Shigure questioned smiling at the cat, "How sweet."
"It was Tohru's idea." Kyo pointed at the girl, "She just told me to get her."
Shigure chuckled a little and turned his newspaper around in his hand, "Well, is she coming over tonight?"
"No." Yuki shook his head, "She said she had to take care of her younger brother."
"I see." Shigure nodded, "I don't see why she won't just bring the little guy over with her. We'd be glad to have him."
"I don't think it's because of her brother that she won't come." Tohru said softly
The boys all looked at her. She frowned a little, "I think it's more to do with the fact that coming over here would be stepping out of her comfort zone. In the house with her brother is her comfort zone. You said so yourselves that she was much more talkative when she was talking to you at her house. It's hard breaking away from you comfort zone."
Yuki smiled softly, "You're wise beyond your years sometimes, Honda-san."
Tohru blushed, "I am not! I just…It's what makes sense."
Neechan, there's a house over there!
No, we can't go there! That's where Kyo and Yuki live. I don't want to bother them…
We've been walking around for a while now. I'm tired…
Shigure's ears perked at hearing the soft voices from outside.
"Did you guys hear that?"
"Hear what?" Yuki looked over at Shigure.
"I think someone is outside." Shigure got to his feet and went to the front door.
Tohru and Yuki followed. Kyo stayed in his place, not wanting to get involved.
Kabuto, we can't ask them. That'd be too much. Besides, after the way I've been treating them…I don't think they'd take us in anyway.
You were being mean?
No! I wasn't being mean!
"I know that voice." Kyo said standing up and going to the backdoor and sliding it open.
"There was no one out there." Shigure said and came back into the dining room with Tohru and Yuki, "Kyo, what are you doing?"
"They're out back." Kyo stepped outside and looked around, "I know that voice."
"So do I, but I can't place a name or face." Yuki sighed a little.
Kabuto, for the last time we can't –
Kimini, look! Someone's watching us!
Kyo's eyes locked with Kimini's and, for a second, they were just staring at each other. Then, Kimini broke the gaze and grabbed Kabuto by the arm.
"Come on, Kabuto."
"B-but…!"
"Hey!" Kyo ran over to them, grabbing Kimini by the arm before she could get very far, "Where are you going?"
"Nowhere." Kimini replied quickly, "Sorry if we bothered you. We were just – "
"Why do you still have your schoolbag?" Kyo tugged at the bag on her shoulder, "And why are you still in your uniform? You didn't go home?"
"Well, yes, we did. It's just that…well…"
"What the – your bag's wet?" Kyo snatched it off her shoulder and touched the bottom, "What happened?"
Why does he even care…?
"It fell in a puddle!" Kimini said and snatched her bag from the cat.
"What's up with that box?" Kyo crossed his arms over his chest and looked at the box Kabuto was holding, "Why are you – "
"Stop asking me so many questions! None of this is any of your business!"
Kimini covered her mouth, surprised that such a loud angry voice came from her body. Kyo just stared at her, his mouth partially open. Letting out a 'tsch', Kyo turned on his heel and went back inside, shoving Shigure, Yuki, and Tohru aside. The three watched Kyo disappear, then turned their attention back to Kimini who was still standing with her hand over her mouth. Her expression of shock melted into one that said she was sorry. Biting her lip, she motioned for Kabuto to follow her.
"Come on…"
"Hang on, Kimini." Shigure said and walked out to her. Kimini let out a soft sigh and didn't look at him.
"What?"
"Where are you two headed in the middle of the night with all these things? Book bags, laptops…what's going on?"
"I-it's nothing, Sohma-san, it's just…well…"
Kabuto let out a frustrated groan and put the box on the ground, then put his hands on his hips, "I left the water running at our house this morning, so now the entire place is flooded. Everything's soaked and we can't stay there until things get cleaned up. So, can we stay here?"
"Kabuto!" Kimini scolded.
Shigure let out a laugh and ruffled the boy's head, "Forward one, isn't he? I take it he's your little brother? You two are more than welcome to stay here until your home is back in order."
"No, it's okay." Kimini shook her head, "I couldn't. That's asking way too much."
"No it's not." Shigure placed a hand on Kimini's back and pushed her towards the house, "We've got plenty of room."
"Alright!" Kabuto cheered and grabbed the box, then ran into the house past Yuki and Tohru.
Laughing, the two followed him. Shigure chuckled as well and Kimini merely sighed.
"Come on now, you can't stand out here all night." Shigure urged her to go inside, "It's no problem at all for you to stay here."
There was obviously no fighting it. Kabuto was already settled and Shigure seemed to have no problem with it. Admitting defeat, Kimini went inside with Shigure.
I really really REALLY hated that chapter. My least favorite in the entire story. If you hated it too, don't be afraid to say it! haha. Anyway, review!
