Tears of Blood

Chapter Three: Just One of Those Days- And Now Its Over

There are just some days that are great to start out. Throughout the day you get your kicks and giggles. But then BOOM! One second of inattention and the WHOLE DAY is RUINED. Ever have days like that? They're the days that you just can't wait until they're over and you can finally crash on a pillow and sleep. And best of all…dream. Because in your dreams you are everything you want to be. Want, not have to be.

In your dreams you live by your rules. You are who you want to be. You do what you want to do. You love who you want to love.

Sometimes those dreams become nightmares and then you have 'just one of those days'. Amazing how something so simple can affect someone so much… And the best and worst thing about it all?

The day isn't over yet.

These were the thoughts that were running through Natalie's mind the entire drive up when she had a few moments of silence to think.

Finally they made it to the onsen. Hatori had said the Mesho, Ritsu's mother, would be out when they arrived getting some thing the hotel needed while she was well enough to run around.

Natalie fell onto the king sized bed in the room that she shared with Aislinn and Raine. They'd asked for this room in particular one because it was a bit smaller than the others since it was only the three of them, it didn't lead directly outside to the hot springs, and the three of them could fit in one bed.

The room smells fresh and clean like only good, clean motels do and the sheets were cool to the touch. Heaven. That was before a small body slammed into the middle of her back and continued to bounce there while she pretended to be asleep. No. Freaking. Way.

The weight was suddenly gone and Natalie risked a peek to see Raine holding a strangely naked Aislinn in her arms. Ah. The joy of best friends. The little girl complained about not wanting to go in the big bathtub wearing her bathing suit but Raine explained that they were going to relax in the family hot spring with everyone else so that she could play with Momiji.

Natalie sighed before dragging herself off the bed and slowly stripping herself down to her undergarments before she rummaged through her suitcase. She found the ice blue two piece that Raine had bought her last summer while Raine fished out the bright green one that Natalie had bought her. It was a tradition the two girls had started when they were 15. Neither could find a bathing suit that they liked that looked good on them, so they switched and bought a suit for each other. It worked. Aislinn was running around the room squealing at the top of her lungs wearing a bright purple and pink two piece that connected at the waist so that it managed to look like a two piece, like the big girls had, but managed to be a one piece at the same time. Compromise at its best.

Natalie snatched the little banshee from the ground as she ran past before sitting on the huge bed with her in between her knees. She wrestled the baby fine tresses into a quick French braid. The two older girls grabbed the light blue kimonos that Mesho had left them before heading out into the springs.

Momiji swam up to the edge of the water and helped the little girl out of her kimono before she took a couple steps back to get her running start. "Nii-san!" She screamed as she sailed through the air, landing in her 'big brother's' arms.

The two older girls sat on the edge of the spring with their feet in the water as they talked quietly amongst themselves. Natalie was trying to work her hair into a braid while she listened to Raine describe the trip up with the Mabudachi trio and Kyo. After Ayame and Shigure had fallen asleep, apparently the two Cats had started talking to pass the time. Surprising for Raine or Kyo. Neither were big talkers.

A shadow fell over the two as Haru sat to the side of them. "What's up ladies?" He asked with a grin. Raine shrugged with a smile while Natalie grinned back at him before risking a glance towards the hot spring. Shigure and Ayame had been joking about swimming naked…. A pair of violet eyes met hers and she held it this time. He was the first to look away. Natalie turned her gaze back to Haru and smiled. "Nothing too interesting Haru. How was the ride up?"

It was Haru's turn to shrug. "Yuki and I were writing notes in the back." He grinned sheepishly. Both girls laughed. "Very junior high. Can I ask about what?" Raine asked. Haru smiled and shook his head gently. "We were writing notes so everyone wouldn't hear us." Raine's mouth dropped into a little 'O' and she nodded. "So, did Ayame drive you crazy on the way up Rai?" Haru asked, turning slightly towards the older girl.

Raine shook her head. "Not me. He kept trying to jump over the passenger seat to talk to Hatori and Shigure even though they could hear him just fine from the back. I was practically in Kyo's lap half the time to avoid being jumped on." Natalie cleared her throat and grinned at her best friend. The message was clear. Not that you minded. "Shut up Allie." Raine snapped, embarrassed. Blood flushed into her face, making her look quite like a lovely ripe tomato.

Natalie laughed, short and sweet before smiling at her best friend. Her eyes still sparkled from the contained laughter. She, oddly enough, had no problem with her best friend in the whole world digging her first love. Raine had known him first and it wasn't like Natalie planned to get back together with the Sohma Cat. They'd had their chance. It hadn't worked out.

"You look like you've got something on your mind Allie." Natalie's head snapped up at the sound of Haru's concerned voice. She shook her head to try to placate him but he wasn't buying it. Shame. "Thinking about your game with Yuki's fan club this morning?" He asked with a hint of amusement. Natalie felt heat crawling up her neck but it stopped thankfully about mid neck. "Or was it after?" God damn it. Blood rushed to fill every pore on her face, and she wasn't close enough to the hot springs to the blame the heat.

Raine tilted her head to the side questioningly. She hadn't heard the story yet. Natalie glared at the Ox with a thoughtful look of disdain. Damn him. Damn Yuki for telling him. Of course, Haru was Yuki's best friend so she could very well blame him. Especially when she was going to tell Raine.

Natalie shook her head and gave Raine a look that said she'd explain later.

"Why? Did you guys talk about it?" Natalie asked as she slowly pieced together her composure. Haru shrugged. Somehow he made it look graceful, like he didn't care one way or another. "He told me what happened. I'm surprised he didn't have an asthma attack though. I would have." He added with a sort of wink. Natalie stuck her tongue out at him childishly but pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.

She wanted to know what was said.

After Haru didn't continue after a few minutes Natalie spoke again, her voice low as she rested her chin in the space between her kneecaps. Haru met her gaze head on but he still didn't speak until Natalie was practically leaning forward in anticipation. Raine was listening too, but not nearly as severely.

"He wanted to know why you're so afraid of Akito."

The two girls straightened immediately, almost perfectly in sync. Natalie because it was her biggest fear, her own personal phobia made flesh and blood. Raine because it was her best friend and she knew. Haru continued on, pretending not to notice their reaction. "He said he asked you before but you never got the chance to answer him. We all know why Yuki's afraid of him."

Raine tilted her head slightly in confusion, Natalie just looked away. This was a conversation was too close to home.

"Yuki was Akito's personal toy for years. He did some of the most grotesque things you could imagine to him." Raine finally shuddered. Haru continued on without worrying about it. Yuki was his best friend and the Rat didn't mind him talking to these two about it. He'd already asked.

He turned his grey eyes back on Natalie and he continued without waiting for her to acknowledge him. "Akito is the God to our zodiac. He's the core of our curse. We haveto fear him if we can't respect him and he prefers it that way. But you have no ties to him. Why are you so afraid?" He was watching her intently but his portrayed nothing, as if the answers didn't matter to him but as if they were important, not to him but to someone else.

Natalie laughed again shortly. The sound was harsh and bitter compared to earlier. Having no ties to Akito?

That was a dream. It was also the funniest thing she'd heard in a long time.

"I'm merely the one person he desires and can't have. Akito loves a challenge." She said the word loves like it was poison in her mouth. The Yonin Horse stood suddenly and walked away. Haru stood as if to go after him but Raine settled her hand on the side of his leg and shook her head. Best to let her go.

Ayame and Shigure watched the trio silently; a concern for the Yonin Horse was growing. They knew the topic of the conversation just from the tension that stiffened the younger girl's slender body and from the look on Haru's face. Natalie's sudden departure confirmed their thoughts and the two debated going after her before an idea filled Ayame's head.

The Snake sidled over to where his brother was watching Natalie's hasty departure and leaned a little towards him. "Aren't you going to rescue your fair Princess from her deepest fears little brother?" He whispered with only a hint of condescension. He moved quickly away from Yuki before he could lash out but the Rat only looked at the water thoughtfully.

The two watched the Rat for a few moments longer until he swam to the edge of the hot spring and climbed out. Shigure turned his gaze towards one of his best friends. "Alright. What was that for Ayame? You know Natalie's not going to want to tell him what's wrong."

Ayame's lips curved in the barest of smiles and his eyes drifted closed. "Yuki has been in love with Natalie since they were children. And Natalie needs someone to love her unconditionally like he does. She still thinks that everything with Akito was her fault and with Tohru coming into the picture, Kyo abandoned her. Besides," He paused and smiled at the Dog. "If anyone can comfort Natalie in the way she needs to be comforted, it'll be Yuki."

Shigure was silent for a long time; his mouth was open slightly in shock. Who knew Ayame was that devious enough to put those two together of all people? Finally he settled for a small smile and a sigh, "You know your brother better than he gives you credit for."

Yuki was walking in the same direction he's seen Natalie heading into but he lost her once he was in the motel. The only plausible thing was that she'd gone to her room. He followed suit and went to his room long enough to change into a pair of faded hakamas pants that he'd brought and an old black t-shirt. When he was done, he headed to Natalie's room.

She was just coming out when he reached her. She took one look at him before turning her gaze to the ground and walking away. He reached out and grasped her hand in his. Natalie froze- her hand still in his but her back to him. "I want to talk to you." Natalie tensed. "No." The harshness of that one word made Yuki drop her hand. "You want to see what's wrong with me and you want to fix it."

Yuki shook his head and then realized she couldn't see it. "I do want to know what's wrong…" He admitted. "But I've learned that you can't fix everything. Sometimes it helps to just listen… It makes it easier to bear when you're not the only one with the burden."

All the tension melted from Natalie's small frame and left her body slumped, defeated. She took a deep breath and let it out in a shuddering woosh. "Let's take a walk Yuki." She whispered before walking forward slowly.

Yuki fell into step easily next to her much shorter frame as they walked out the side of the motel, away from the hot springs. A garden flowed out of the ground around them as the walked, step for step, in complete silence. It wasn't an uncomfortable silence either. More thoughtful than anything. Each trying to find the right words to say.

It was Natalie who finally broke the silence. "Haru told me about your conversation in the car." Yuki nodded. "He asked me why I, of all people, am afraid of Akito. I remember, you asked me about it once." It seemed silly to nod again so he just remained quiet and listened to her.

Natalie stopped and sank slowly onto a stone bench the pair from view behind a pair of trees and a few rose bushes that were almost as tall as Natalie was. She crossed her ankles and folded her hands in her lap. She kept her eyes on her hands as she spoke. Her voice was much softer than anything and it took him a moment to realize she was fighting off tears.

"You remember my relationship with Kyo about five years ago?" She began. Yuki nodded as he knelt beside her. "You and Kyo were quite fond each other as I recall." Natalie laughed softly. "Fond of each other… That's one way of saying it I guess. Kyo was my first love after all." Yuki stiffened. It wasn't new news to him but it still struck a chord somewhere deep inside of him.

Natalie slowly pulled one of his pale hands into her lap as she spoke. It didn't seem like a conscious action, but it sent chills up his arm as she gently began to trace the pattern of lines gently with the very tips of those slender, feminine fingers. They were almost as pale as his. Yuki had to make a conscious effort to pay attention to her soft spoken words.

"Well, I got this stupid idea in my head that Akito should know what was happening. The old head of our family hadn't passed away yet and he liked to know what was happening within the family. He wasn't always as violent as Akito but back then I thought our families were run the same way." She laughed again but it wasn't the gentle sound it was before.

It was bitter with a lesson hard learned.

"I thought Akito should know what was happening with Kyo and I. We thought of ourselves as a couple after all… Anyways, I didn't think Akito would mind. My father told me that the Sohmas shunned their Cat while we embraced ours like our own flesh and blood. Well, my father adopted Raine and Yoshi after their parents gave them up… But that's not the point. I guess I was wrong because Akito was furious. He..." She choked on the next word and squeezed his fingers as if she was fighting to regain control of herself. "H-He raped me and your brother and the other two saved me."

Yuki's eyes were wide with shock. After all the physical abuse he'd dealt with from Akito, he had never been sexually abused by him. He couldn't even imagine the pain Natalie had faced all those years. "Kyo kept visiting me for a couple years but two years ago he just didn't come again. I took the rejection kind of hard." Her eyes finally met his and the tears that shone in her eyes were real and her eyes were that sea green that the ocean gets right before a storm. He knew why Kyo's visit had suddenly stopped. Tohru had come into their lives and taken them all by surprise. And then she was gone.

Something important caught Yuki's attention and his eyes widened once again. "Wait, does that mean-" "Yes." Natalie cut him off and her eyes were panicked. "Why haven't you told anyone?" He asked gently, holding her hand in both of his own now. She shrugged hopelessly. "Hatred by association." Yuki nodded thoughtfully. It was true. If everyone knew the truth, they would hate her just by that one simple fact. "You can't tell anyone." Natalie pleaded, clutching at his fingers. Her eyes were large with panic and she looked like she might hyperventilate.

Yuki gently cupped her cheek in his hand and smiled what he hoped she took as encouragement. She began to relax slowly, notch by notch until she laid her head to rest against the palm of his hand and her eyes closed slowly, peacefully.

"I would have gone with you." Yuki was whispering. He sounded closer than he had before. Natalie nodded. "I would have done anything I could to protect you." A whispering sigh escaped her lips and she rubbed her cheek against the palm of his hand for comfort. She covered his hand with her own and slowly opened her eyes. She smiled at him gently, her eyes softened. "I know you would have." She murmured.

Yuki shifted on his knees a fraction before cupping her face with both of his hands, looking directly into her eyes. Natalie recognized the look and it sent a silent thrill through her. It wasn't a look of someone searching for a signal that she accepted what he said; it was a look to see if she would accept him.

Natalie took the hand that held the right side of her face and gently kissed the middle of each finger before brushing her lips against the outstretched palm. Yuki's violet eyes were semi-wide but softened before he leaned up a little to brush his lips against hers.

The raven haired girl flowed from her seat on the bench onto his lap with her knees planted on each side on his legs. She cupped the right side of his face gently and pressed her lips to his again with a little bit more pressure this time. The 19 year-old accepted it willingly and returned the force, his heart was thudding unequally against his ribcage and he could feel his breath becoming shorter.

He needed to stop before he had an asthma attack but he wanted to be sure this wasn't a dream. Natalie's free hand slid flat up from his bellybutton to rest over his heart to feel the muscle pounding unevenly against her palm. She pushed him away gently. POOF!The dreaded sound filled the air and Yuki sat sadly on Natalie's knees in the form he hated most. The Rat. Apparently the excitement had been too much and made him transform. Haru had said he'd transformed the first time he'd kissed Rin and the first time they had… urm… been together." Apparently you could still transform with someone else who was cursed. Interesting bit of news.

Natalie giggled.

Yuki looked up at her in surprise and her face was tight but her eyes shimmered from the contained laughter. He sighed. "Go ahead. You can laugh." Natalie shook her head and lifted him in her cupped hands and pressed a kiss to his furred cheek. It was smooth and felt like it was covered with lavender silk. "You're so cute." She chuckled and she traced her finger over one of his curved ears. "What are you doing?" He asked softly. He didn't mind. The caress felt incredible.

Natalie let out a soft laugh. "Jiro never let any of us play with him when he accidentally ran into a girl. I've never gotten to hold one of the Rats." Yuki exhaled softly as she rubbed her face lightly against his back. So soft…

"You know what I just realized?" Natalie murmured as he perched lightly on her knee. "What?" Yuki asked, turning towards her. "We mirror each other." Only then did he glance at her clothes and he had to laugh. She wore a similar pair of hakamas pants except hers were black and the tank top she was wearing was a faded blue it was almost white.

Yuki was about to say something when- POOF!A little billow of smoke curled around the nude Sohma boy as Natalie quickly hid her face. She momentarily considered peeking when a soft kiss on her cheek told her that he was already dressed. Yuki sat beside her on the stone bench smiling down at her. She returned the smile as she turned and crossed her arms over his lap and laid her head on her arms.

The Sohma boy let out a shuddering breath before he slowly began to toy with the silky ebony tresses that flowed like black water over his legs. The heat from her body was deepest near the scalp of her hair but as his fingers ran the length of the silky locks, they became cool to the tough.

They sat like that for what seemed like an eternity before Yuki reluctantly spoke. "Natalie, we need to get back to the others before they think we've run away on them." Natalie sighed softly before she lifted her head and looked him in the eyes for a few moments. He finally understood what she wanted and pressed a light kiss to her lips.

Natalie stood and held her hand out to Yuki with a gentle smile gracing her pale pink lips. He took her hand and laced her fingers with his before he pressed a light kiss to the cold digits. "Is this what you want?" Natalie asked quietly, her eyes were intent on his. He thought for a moment before he understood what she was asking. "As long as you'll have me." He returned just as quietly before placing a soft kiss on her cheek.

She smiled brightly at him. "I hope you realize what you're promising Sohma. You won't be able to get rid of me that easily if you get tired of me." Yuki laughed softly and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. He knew Natalie well enough to know that she was saying she didn't want him to desert her like Kyo had. "I think it's you that's going to have a hard time getting rid of me.

Natalie smiled brightly at him and lifted their entwined hands to her face and brushed his knuckles against her cheek. "I don't think I'll want to get rid of you Prince Yuki." She teased. He laughed softly and shook his head. "Let's go before you completely distract me Princess." She laughed softly as she tugged his hand gently. "Let's go then before I distract you from your breathing again." Her tone was slightly reproving but he shook it off. He didn't mind. He'd been enjoying himself quite thoroughly. He smiled down at their entwined hands and thanked whatever God was listening to him for finally letting him have her.

Kyo glanced up from the game of ping pong that he and Yoshi were playing as Natalie walked up, holding Yuki's hand. Wait. Anger bubbled in the Cat's blood as he grit his teeth. Natalie seemed to notice as she stepped in front of the violet haired boy behind her. "Kyo-" She warned but it was too late. The red head charged the pair and both dodged the blow easily. Yuki automatically went into a defensive stance as Kyo charged him again. He was about to strike when suddenly the Cat was on his back and Natalie was crouched down with one leg swept out to the side and her fingertips on the ground to balance herself. "Go inside Yuki." She murmured as she straightened her slender form.

He nodded lightly before turning away. It wasn't his decision to tell the Cat. It would seem like gloating and although the thought of pushing Kyo's buttons entertained him occasionally, this would be the wrong button to push.

Yoshi watched his best friend silently as Natalie squat over the stunned red head with her hands on her knees. He felt no pity for him. After abandoning her for two years, he couldn't have expected that her heart would still be his. If he had, he really was stupid.

The lounging area by the springs was suddenly quiet as everyone left the two to talk things out. "What's wrong Kyo?" Natalie asked gently as she leaned over him. Kyo's body trembled with his pent up rage as he lay as stilly as he could beneath her. "What are you doing with that Rat?!?" He snapped. Natalie just kept her eyes on him calmly, her entire manner was gentle. "What do you care?" Those four words held all the accusation, hurt, and loneliness he'd subjected her to for the past two years.

All anger in him stilled and he couldn't hold her gaze anymore. He turned his head to the side and a sigh escaped him. "Why did you have to choose him?" A soft smile curled her pale lips as she still looked at him tenderly. "People said the same thing about you."

Natalie's body disappeared above him but her hand appeared to help him up. He accepted her hand but stood on his own strength. She met his eyes and nodded lightly. Choices made. No going back on them. Even if you could. Natalie gave him a small smile and a nod before she turned away from him and went into the motel. Kyo stood there by himself for a second with his fists clenched before he let them relax and his breath left his body in a rush. There was nothing he could do. And as long as she was happy, well, then maybe that damn Rat could give her back a little of the happiness that he'd taken from her. Maybe. And if he hurt her, he'd be the first in line to rip him limb from limb.

Author's Note: Well, I hope you all enjoyed this new chapter. I know, its a bit fluffy. But it makes up for the angstyness in later chapters. Review what you read always. Thanks.