Kyo stared at Yuki as he stood up from the table and walked over to the sink to pour himself a glass of water. He took a sip from the glass and then looked back at the concern in Yuki's eyes.
"From your tone of voice" Kyo began, "This must be a serious thing?"
"It could be" Yuki nodded as Kyo leaned against the counter, his eyebrows furrowing, "I mean I am not sure how serious it really is, but I do need to ask you something."
"Well what is it?" Kyo replied taking another sip of water.
"Tell me Kyo" Yuki said, "Have you been sleeping lately?"
Kyo's eyebrows raised as he lowered his glass while Yuki continued.
"Do you have a loss of appetite?"
Kyo placed the glass on the counter and crossed his arms. Yuki placed his hands in front of him on the table as they looked at each other for a few moments. Kyo cleared his throat and then looked at him directly in the eyes, and Yuki could swear that he detected slight fear in his eyes.
"Not that it is any of your business" Kyo retorted, "But no and yes."
"So you haven't been sleeping at all? And you have no appetite?"
"Correct. But how did you know that?"
"How long has that been going on for you?"
"About two months, but wait you still didn't answer my question, how do you know about this?"
"Because Kyo" Yuki said with a sigh, "I too have been going through the same thing. Lack of sleep and appetite for almost two months now. I talked to Shigure when I got home and he said he was feeling the same way but that it wasn't really concerning him. You know how he is?" Yuki replied sarcastically as Kyo nodded, "I came back from Paris to see if anyone else has been feeling the same way that I have. I had every intention on going to the main house this week and asking them as well."
"Well" Kyo replied as he walked back over and sat down, "What do you think is going on?"
"I don't really know" Yuki shook his head, "But I am very concerned about it. I mean I feel sometimes familiar sensations like I did when we were cursed."
"Huh? You too."
"You've felt stuff?"
"Yea. Little things. Like you know how much I used to hate water. You know rain and such?"
"Mhm. Wait a minute. Used to?" Yuki raised his eyebrows.
"That's right" Kyo frowned, "When the curse was lifted I didn't detest water anymore. In fact I could go swimming in a pool for hours at a time and it wouldn't bother me" he sighed again leaning into his left palm.
"And that's changed?"
"Yea. Tohru and I went to visit her grandparents yesterday and we went swimming. Now it wasn't bad, don't get me wrong, but I still felt uncomfortable in the water. I haven't mentioned it to her yet. Nor have I told her anything about my lack of appetite or the fact that I can't sleep."
"I know" Yuki nodded, "I didn't tell Machi either. I just told her that I was coming home for a visit, but not my real purpose for being here."
The two of them lowered their heads slightly and became very silent until Tohru came out of the back and noticed them.
"Hey you guys" she replied cheerfully as Kyo and Yuki lifted their heads, "Is everything all right?" her smile began to fade.
"Yea" Kyo managed to smile as he stood up, "Everything is fine sweetie" he walked over and kissed her cheek, "I'm just gonna go get ready and then we can go to lunch."
"Okay" she nodded as he departed for the bedroom.
When he disappeared she stared at the space he had been only moments before with a sad look in her eyes. She turned to Yuki who was standing up from his seat. She smiled at him, which he did in return, and then she walked over to her desk and opened the drawer. She glanced down at the book and began to finger the jacket. Her eye glanced at the bracelet before she felt someone tapping her shoulder.
"Tohru" Kyo said, "You ready?"
"Oh. Uh huh" she nodded closing the drawer quickly, and then taking his arm, "I'm ready" she smiled.
"All right" he looked at her quizzically but then they walked over to Yuki who had the door open and was waiting for them.
They walked down the steps and then out into the city. As they left the apartment, Yuki noticed a long black car with tinted windows sitting near the curb. He eyed it for a few moments as they walked past it.
"I could have sworn that car was here when I first got here," he thought as he heard that it was still running, "And that was two hours ago."
(Next Scene)
Tohru led the two boys to a little restaurant that she and Kyo went to on nights that they felt like eating out. They were led to their booth and then they all sat down, Kyo sitting right next to his wife, and Yuki on the other side. As they browsed over their menus Tohru and Yuki talked about how his stay in Paris was going, and when he was going back, and those sorts of things. As they talked Kyo's cell phone rang and he excused himself from the table and walked over by the pay phones to take it.
"Hello" he replied, "Kunimitsu? What's going on?" Kyo listened, "Is he okay?" he said in a little of a loud voice making Yuki and Tohru look his way, "All right. I'll be right there. Tell him I'm on my way" he clicked off the phone and then walked back over to the table, "Uh Tohru" he said turning to her.
"What's wrong Kyo?" she asked.
"I hate to do this to you, but I need to go to the dojo for a little bit. Do you mind having lunch with the damn rat alone?"
"No not at all" she shook her head, "But is everything okay?"
"Yea" Yuki added, "Is Master Kazuma all right?"
"Yea" Kyo nodded, "He's okay I think. Listen. I'll make this up to you" he replied to Tohru, "I'll try not to be too late coming home."
"It's okay Kyo" Tohru smiled, "I'll be all right. You hurry to Master Kazuma's."
"Yea Kyo" Yuki said, "I can stick around if you like so Tohru isn't alone."
"Okay. Thanks" Kyo nodded and then kissing Tohru quickly on the cheek, "I'll see you later!" he called as he dashed out the door.
"I sure hope everything is all right as Kyo says" Yuki replied concerned.
"Uh huh" Tohru nodded sadly, "So do I."
Yuki heard the sadness in her voice and turned to face her, a sad look on his face also.
"Tohru. What's wrong?"
"Oh Yuki" Tohru looked at him, "I am kind of glad that we're here alone. I really didn't have anyone to talk to about this."
"What is it?" Yuki asked but then thought, "As if I couldn't guess."
"Well I'm really concerned about Kyo" she replied, "He hasn't been sleeping lately and I have noticed other things. Such as his lack of appetite."
"So you did know?" Yuki said out loud.
"Huh?"
"To tell you the truth Tohru," Yuki replied, "It's sort of the reason that I am here. I too have been experiencing the same things."
"Really?" she said surprised.
"Mhm. So I came back to see if the others are feeling the same thing. So far Shigure and Kyo have told me that they have. Later in the week I am going to the main house to talk to the rest of them. If it is happening to everyone then we should talk about it."
"I'm going to see Hatori on Wednesday. I can talk to him for you" Tohru suggested.
"Why are you going to see him? Are you sick?"
"No. Nothing serious. It might be just the flu."
"Flu?"
"Mhm. I have all the symptoms. I have had it for a couple of weeks."
"Oh. Well I can take you if you want and then we talk to Hatori together."
"Okay" she nodded, "I'd like that."
"Are you ready to order?" the waitress asked coming back.
Tohru and Yuki nodded their heads and their conversation was put on hold as they each ordered their meal and then ate pretty much in silence. In the end Yuki insisted on paying for the meal, so he did and then the two of them walked out of the restaurant and headed back to the apartment, where Yuki once more saw the car he had seen earlier. It hadn't moved an inch and he could hear once more as they passed, that the engine was still running. He frowned as they walked into the building and headed upstairs.
(Next Scene)
Yuki and Tohru entered the apartment and as she walked into the kitchen Yuki heard someone knock on the door so he answered it for her as she walked back into the bedroom. The man that was standing in the hall was dressed in a black suit, sporting a pair of sunglasses over his eyes. In his hands was a white rectangular box.
"Uh" Yuki eyed him suspiciously, "Can I help you?"
"Yes" the man, replied deeply, "I have a package for Miss Tohru Honda."
"Um. Tohru Honda are you sure?"
"Uh yes" the man nodded.
"Well this is the apartment of Tohru Sohma, but her former name is Honda, so I guess I'll take the package" he took the box carefully, "Do I need to sign anything?"
"No sir" the man shook his head before he departed, "Just have a good day."
"Uh thank you" Yuki said warily as he closed the door and Tohru came back into the kitchen.
"Who was at the door?" she asked curiously.
"You got a delivery," Yuki said as he placed the box on the table with a frown.
"From who?"
"I don't know."
"What's the matter?" she asked when she saw his frown.
"Weirdest thing" he replied continuing to frown, "The package was addressed to Tohru Honda not Tohru Sohma."
"That is weird" she nodded confused, "I have lived here for three months now. I wonder who it's from?" she said as she undid the top and opened the box, revealing five long stemmed red roses.
She gasped as she held onto the lid and Yuki moved closer to get a better look.
"Roses. Oh wait here's a card" he pointed, making her slowly pick the card up and reading it briefly, her eyes suddenly becoming wide, "What is it?" he asked, "Who sent these?"
Tohru slowly handed him the card and he flipped it over to read the message out loud. It said:
"Dear Tohru,
Congratulations on lasting as long as you have. I think of you often and hope that maybe someday we can get together like old times.
Love,
Tai Ushida
Yuki paused for a moment before crinkling the small paper in his palm angrily. Tohru stared at him for a few moments and then nodded. Yuki began to pace the floor, almost ready to explode, but since it wasn't in his nature, he kept his cool.
"I don't believe this" he replied, "He hasn't given up? He's still causing problems?"
"Yuki" Tohru said as she sat down, "This isn't the first time that this has happened."
"What?" Yuki looked at her quizzically.
"About three months ago it happened. A neighbor of ours received the delivery by mistake and brought it over."
"It was from him?"
"Mhm. And there was a card in there too."
"What did it say?" Yuki asked furious.
"Something along the lines of congratulations on your wedding. I'm wishing you the best."
"Yea right" Yuki scoffed, "Does Kyo know about this?"
"No."
"How come?"
"I didn't want to worry him. He was starting his new job at the dojo the day after it came. We just got back from our honeymoon I didn't want to add extra pressure to him."
"Well" Yuki said gently, "Since this is the second one, you're gonna have to tell him."
"I know" she nodded, "He's gonna be so upset."
"I'll tell you what. I'll talk to him first. I'll tell him all about this. And then you can talk to him."
"You'd do that?"
"Yes" he nodded.
"Thank you" she smiled gratefully.
"Your welcome" he grinned as he walked over and embraced her tightly, "It's gonna be okay Tohru. I promise."
(Next Scene)
Kyo turned his head one last time as he departed the dojo. Kunimitsu and Kazuma watched as he left and the younger man turned to the older.
"Are you sure it's okay that you didn't tell him?" he asked.
"Yes" Kazuma nodded, "I'll tell him tomorrow. I don't want to inform him of this on the weekend. He should be home with his wife."
"Your call sir. He's not going to be happy though is he?"
"No" Kazuma shook his head; "This will make him very angry.
(Next Scene)
When Kyo arrived home he found Yuki waiting for him at the kitchen table. As he closed the door he stared at him curiously.
"Hey damn rat" Kyo said slowly, "Where's Tohru?"
"She's in your room. But before you go to her we need to talk."
"Oh no that this again" Kyo rolled his eyes as he placed his keys down.
"No. No this is more serious then that" Yuki shook his head determinedly, "It's about Tohru."
"What about her?" Kyo asked as he moved over to the table and happened to see the white box, "What's this?"
"That's what we need to talk about" Yuki pointed out as Kyo opened the box.
"Roses?"
"I gather you didn't send them?" Yuki replied sarcastically.
"No."
"Well I know that you didn't send them."
"Who did send them? Is there a card?"
"There was a card. I sort of crumpled it up. It's in the trash now."
"Why?"
"Because it made me mad."
"Yuki who sent these roses to Tohru?" Kyo said seriously.
"I'm sure you know without me telling you."
Kyo's eyebrows rose.
"Was it?" he began but didn't finish because Yuki was nodded.
"That's right. U. S. H.I. D. A" he replied spelling Tai's last name.
"Well" Kyo clenched his fists, "I guess he didn't learn his lesson the first time."
"I don't think so" Yuki shook his head angrily, "Because after the roses were delivered Kyo, Tohru confided in me that this isn't the first time that this has happened, since you have been in this apartment."
"What? He's done this before?" he asked slowly.
"Uh huh. Just after you moved in. She said a neighbor got the delivery by mistake and gave it to her. But both times, the delivery was meant for Tohru Honda not Tohru Sohma" Yuki added.
"Of course" Kyo nodded angrily, "Well so Tai has been stalking my wife has he?"
"I think so. I also have noticed that there is a car parked outside, it doesn't seem to move."
"What car?"
I'll show you" Yuki said getting up and leading Kyo over to the window and opening the curtain, "Down there."
"Yea" Kyo nodded, "I've seen that car before. Dammit!" Kyo spat, "I thought we were rid of that guy for good."
"Apparently not."
"Should have known he was just biding his time. Maybe Haru was right, I should have kicked his ass."
"I still think that what you did was more effective."
"I don't think so. He's still up to his old tricks."
"And you have a problem" Yuki replied as he sat on the small couch.
"What's that?"
"You're no longer cursed Kyo."
Kyo looked down at his left arm and sighed heavily.
"Meaning my threat is now inconsequential."
"Right. You can't change into that form anymore. Your threat isn't effective. It's a possibility that he knows we're not cursed anymore, you know how he is, with his research and all."
"Dammit" Kyo said again, "That's why he's showing up now. He knows. He knows everything. But how does he know?" Kyo replied in a huff as he flopped onto the couch.
"I don't know. But right now your main concern is Tohru."
"Yea. Oh shoot" Kyo replied biting his nails slightly.
"What's wrong?"
"Tohru's got off of work all thisupcoming week. I can't take time off to make sure she's all right all by herself."
"Well it seems to me that what you need is a bodyguard for her."
"Where am I gonna find one of those?"
"Ahem" Yuki cleared his throat.
"What?"
"I'm not doing anything. I don't mind doing it."
"Are you serious?" Kyo asked, "You don't mind looking after Tohru while I am at work all week?"
"No" Yuki shook his head, "Besides I already told her that I would take her to the doctors on Wednesday."
"Doctors? Oh yea she's got that appointment for her flu. Well if you really don't mind. I would feel safer knowing that you're here to look after her."
"And so would I" Yuki said rising from the couch, "I'll go to Shigure's and gather my things and I'll come right back here. It's probably best that I am here at all times this week."
"Yea" Kyo nodded, "Okay. While you do that I am going to talk to Tohru" he stood up from the couch as Yuki nodded and departed from the apartment.
Kyo walked into the back bedroom and saw his wife sitting at her dressing table looking sadly into the mirror. He came in slowly and closed the door. She stood up and walked over where he was waiting to embrace her gently. She leaned into his chest and they remained that way for a good twenty minutes.
(Next Scene)
"What?" Shigure said in surprise, "That boy is still at it?"
Yuki was at the door with his bag and had just told him about the packages of roses and Kyo and Tohru's problem with Tai Ushida.
"Apparently" Yuki nodded, "So anyway I will be staying at Tohru and Kyo's for the remainder of the week while she is off."
"Do you still intend to go to the main house?" Shigure asked.
"Yes" Yuki agreed, "I will go later in the week."
"Will you go visit your mother?"
As he opened the door, Yuki's back froze as Shigure asked the question. His shoulders tightened, as he didn't even turn his head.
"I don't know" he replied coolly, "I haven't decided."
"Okay" Shigure said dropping the subject, "I'll see you later Yuki!" he called as the boy walked into the night and closed the door behind him.
Shigure sighed and then walked back into his sitting room. He sat down and picked up his paper and frowned slightly.
"I guess he is still very hurt" he surmised, "I'm not surprised. Aya is still quite upset himself."
As Yuki walked back to the apartment he stared ahead of himself angrily.
"I will never forgive her. Never" he vowed.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys! Sorry this is a day late. But you'll still get your four chapters this week. One more today and then two more on Friday!
Next Chapter: A Son's Rage
Yuki arrives back at Kyo and Tohru's apartment, Tohru agreeing with the whole bodyguard situation appreciatively. But there is something going on in Yuki's mind and it may take the advice of his old rival the cat to clear things up in his head. See what happens next time!