Hi everyone! Sorry it's been months since I last updated on this story- I wasn't going to continue at all, but then I thought, there's a few people that will murder me if I don't post a new chapter soon (Something that cheers me up no end, seriously!), so here it is.
(I've been kind of moving away from my Furuba fandom as it is, and I've got a few other stories I've been working on, but to tell the truth, this chapter was just really difficult for me to write. That's probably why I stopped writing. -Babbles-)
I also thought I'd point out that the title is not my own genius creation, but rather, a line from a Song I quite liked at the time that I began this story. It's from the translation of "Stop", by Omar Naber, who was an entrant in the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest (I forget what language it was). The beginning line of the chorus is, of course, "Bind my hands, so I can drown, because of Lies I bleed out…"
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. The character that it mainly involves is everyone's favorite Kyonkichi!
The basket is a success. Everyone loves it, especially the peaches. I'm quite glad- my quest to impress Yuki has been going downhill severely, lately.
More general talk with Gure dearest, which successfully disgusts the two boys, and confuses dear Tohru, and then Kyonkichi asks what was surely on everyone's minds…
"You're not… goin' to stay, are you?" Kyonkichi asks, not bothering to mask his contempt of me. I really admire how he has no need to apply a false smile, a cheerful posture- except for when he is dealing with Tohru, of course. I always try to jolly along dear Yuki, to guide him to make a better move towards the girl, but I fear that his chance is fading. Even if he does not see it, Kyou and Tohru are drawing close together every time I see them.
Something shatters me a little, perhaps because the tone in the Cat's voice is very reminiscent of that of Yuki's?
"No no, don't worry," I say, and stand up abruptly, "I won't be staying the night."
It's silly of me, I know, but I turn and walk out of the room, despite Gure rising quickly, calling out, "Aya, wait!"
I walk out of the residence in a bit of a rush. I can hear Gure's raised voice: first confused, then falsely angry. There are some angry murmurs, probably either Yuki or Kyonkichi, and some faint words. Probably Tohru-kun, pleading with the others to stop arguing, I'm not sure.
I'm still not able to pinpoint why I felt so empty at Kyon asking me a question that was surely on everyone's minds. I hadn't intended to stay the night, anyway- I am not entirely fond of being shunted to the lounge room to sleep. Indeed, any of the residents should gladly give up some space for Ayame Sohma, shouldn't they?
It is really quite lucky that the weather is so fortunate today- Springtime is usually a safe time for a Snake-cursed one such as myself- Not too warm, not too cold. In such a pleasant weather, high spirits are usually very infectious…
What will I do when I reach home? I'm not entirely sure. Mine has probably closed the shop by now. Maybe I shall work on one of my newest orders- A few of my regular customers are holding a wedding, and all of the attendants want matching costumes. 16 individual outfits, similar, but different enough to make each feel unique. I'll have fun designing those.
I should really pick up something to eat for tea tonight, as I hardly feel like cooking tonight, but I can't be bothered appearing happy to yet another person, be it only a shopkeep. It just gets so tiresome!
The sun is beginning to set, sending out a few colourful shades, a promise of a dazzling farewell. I stop by the side of the road, to watch. I am almost home, anyway, and needn't worry about finding my way to it.
There is the sound of pounding footsteps a little way off- someone is undoubtedly in a hurry. I sometimes get that way when a shop is about to close, and I have yet to purchase anything from it. They slow down as they grow louder, but I ignore them, as I am very used to this tactic. I do it all the time, after all. I instead turn my attention to watching the final few cherry blossom petals fall, almost twinkling in the narrowing of the sun's rays. They are now a very lovely Spring palette of colours, gold rays gleaming in between. It truly is beautiful.
"Damn idiot, I've finally found you!" exclaims the voice to which those footsteps belong to, quite out of breath. How curious, it almost sounds like Kyonkichi.
I turn casually around, and there is that accursed Cat, almost doubling over from a lack of a constant source of air. He must have sprinted the entire way over here. How odd.
Kyon looks up at my curious face, and scowls- not that he doesn't at any other time, though. "What is it, Kyou?" I ask, continuing to leave myself unguarded. Meet him at the same level, for once.
He almost reels from my simple words- did my use of his proper name shock him so?
He quickly recovers, and holds up my basket. "Er, you left your basket. Shigure wanted me to bring it back to you," he says begrudgingly, holding the basket straight out in front of him. I say nothing, but only stare right back at him. The sunset is shining at its most magnified state right behind me, and it makes it difficult to see. Perhaps that is why Kyon is avoiding my gaze.
"Well, here it is!" he grunts, glaring harder than ever, all but throwing the basket at me. I take it from him, and nod.
"Thank you." What else is there to say? Yes, I am selfish for using the silent approach for no immediate reason, but I am not in pleasant mood, and Kyon will have to deal with that. Kyonkichi stands there, still at a loss for civilized words. Why doesn't he just leave?
As it seems that he isn't going to be doing anything, I turn to leave. I must do something about dinner.
However, Kyon seems to make up his mind about what he is going to do, and blurts out, "Hey, wait!"
Of course, I am not rude. I stop, and turn to face him once more. He has an indefinitely sour look upon his face, as if he were contemplating weather to say something or not.
"Yes?" I say, careful to remain cold.
"Well," Kyou begins, somewhat reluctantly, "I just…" He stops, glaring at me again, before making a large effort to smooth over the negative expression on his face. "I'm… sorry for talkin' like that, I just wanted to know in you were staying," he says, still sounding decidedly grumpy, "Didn't think you'd actually listen to something I said."
He looks almost… yes! Embarrassed! Kyonkichi! And at his own actions, too, not mine.
"Oh, but of course I did," I reply, cheerful once more, "I always listen- I would suppose it's just how I interpret things that differ!"
Kyou looks surprised at this, as if he doesn't know what to think of me. Exactly the way I always want it to be, isn't it?
Well, seeing something like that, I can't help but smile.
And do you know what?
He does too.
Yep! A little more cheerful of an ending, ja? I hope you enjoyed this chapter, but I can't guarantee when the next one will be, as I haven't any more written up. So I guess my roundabout point is- Enjoy the chapter when you can!
Zuki.
