Chapter 4: Putting Your Fate in Other's Hands
Nikooru: Uh, that sounds ominous. You're not going to have our memories erased, are you?
Tem-Tem: Of course she's not!! Then there wouldn't be a story! Um… At least I hope she's not…
Kyo: It's really not up to you two.
(A/N: And I'm not telling. So there!)
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Fruits Basket, sadly.
(Nikooru's POV)
I can't believe this! I can't! This is soo awesome! Three feet in front of me, Kyo and Tohru were walking, leading us to their house, where we would talk to Shigure and then await our judgment. I knew that I should take it more seriously, that our memories of all this were at stake, but I couldn't be anything but amazed as we walked through the land that before had only existed in my manga and anime collection. As we walked along, I took in every thing, like a sponge. I was so preoccupied with every little detail, that I didn't notice the berth that Tem-Tem was giving me until I turned to talk to him and found him fifteen feet behind me, walking behind all the others and looking quietly down at the ground. Oh no… Oh, why is he all the way back there? Is he really that upset about what happened earlier? I didn't see any reason for him to be upset, unless…. No! I wouldn't allow myself to think that he didn't like me. I just couldn't. Suddenly, there was a tap on my shoulder. I turned around to see Illva. Uh oh…
"Hey, Nikooru?"
"Yeah?" I asked warily.
"Where are we? How much farther do we have to walk?"
"Uhm, I don't really know…. Let me ask…" She nodded, and stepped back with the others. I sped up to Tohru and Kyo, and tapped Tohru. (Hey, she looked the friendliest. After Kyo's explosion earlier, I didn't want to get near him!) Thoru turned her head towards me with a confused look on her face.
"Yes?"
"Um… will we be there s-soon?" I stuttered.
"What's it to ya?" snapped Kyo. Turning to Tohru, he added, "I still think we should bind and gag them."
"Don't be silly," said Tohru. Turning to me, she said, "Soon I think, it shouldn't be much more than another 5 minuets."
"Don't go telling them where we live!" snapped Kyo. "Next thing we know they'll be beating down our door!" Tohru looked hurt briefly, then smiled.
"It's not far!" she said. I nodded.
"Thank you." I stepped back. Illva appeared next to me again.
"Well?"
"Not too much more to go," I said. I smiled. "Good thing, huh?" Illva frowned.
"Nikooru, is something wrong?"
"What do you mean?" Illva threw a glance in Tem-Tem's direction.
"You know." I shrugged. "What happened? You guys… I thought for sure you'd be a couple… after that little scene earlier." I blushed.
"I wish," I sighed.
"Well then why don't you go talk to him?" I shook my head furiously.
"I can't. I just can't."
"Well, I can. He is my brother… Do you want me to get some info for you?"
"Would you really, Illva-san?!" I hugged her. "But… what if he doesn't like me??"
"I'll be subtle. Unlike you, I have that ability."
"Thanks!"
"Don't mention it… really, please don't." I nodded. Illva grinned at me, then stepped back next to Tem-Tem.
(Tem-Tem's POV)
(A/N: this is AFTER Illva talks to Tem-Tem, because I am going to flash back to what happens later.)
It felt like we had been walking for hours. I was tired of it. Then, out of the blue, Nikooru screamed.
"Oh my God!" she said, over and over. I looked up, and in front of me was a long, low Japanese house. In front of the house stood a tall man with brown hair, who was smiling and talking to Tohru.
"I see we have company," he said, gesturing to us. "Who are these travelers?"
Kyo and Tohru exchanged looks.
"Well," said Kyo, "We think that…. They're terrorists."
"WHAT?!" Tohru screamed. "We do not!" The man laughed, and then stepped forward to rub Tohru's hair.
"Oh, Tohru, ignore Kyo-kun," he said, "I can see that they aren't dangerous."
He glanced at us, and smiled. "Hello, I am Shigure."
"Oh my gosh," Nikooru said. Shigure gave her an odd look. "I hoped you were," she explained, "but I couldn't be sure. You see," she said, catching the frown on Shigure's face, "We aren't from around here."
"Well. We knew that," said Shigure.
"Let me finish, please. We aren't even from this world. We're…"
"What the hell?! Are you all fricking aliens or something?!" Kyo shouted. (Carrot-top is getting really angry today.) Tohru looked as though she were about to say something, but Shigure cut her off with a look.
"We need to talk about this inside," Shigure said, glancing around. "It's not safe out here." He ushered us up the porch steps and through the door. Once we were inside, Kyo exploded.
"I KNEW WE WERE STUPID TO TRUST YOU!! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY 'WE'RE NOT FROM THIS WORLD'?!" Shigure placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Kyo-kun," he said calmly, "I think we should maybe give them a chance to explain for themselves." Kyo shot him a death glare.
"Are you fricking out of your mind?! Have you LOST IT?!" He punched the floor with all his might, and cracks spread beneath his fist.
"Please refrain from destroying my things," said Shigure, "Especially when you don't have the money to pay for them." There was silence as we all held our breath, waiting to see what would happen. Finally, Kyo appeared to clam down a bit.
"Fine," he snapped, "Let them explain their heads off."
"Please remain silent until they have finished, Kyo."
"FINE!! Just GET ON WITH IT!!" Shigure glanced at us.
"Well, then, perhaps you should start by introducing yourselves."
"I'm Nikooru," said Nikooru, nearly inaudibly. "Nikooru Itsumara."
"I'm Illva Marina," Illva said shortly.
"Temoji Marina," I said.
"Kiraji Atsuga."
"Well, it is very nice to make your acquaintances," Shigure said, "As you already know, I am Shigure Sohma, this is Kyo Sohma, and this is Tohru Honda. Now, perhaps if Tohru will be kind enough to get us some tea, you can tell us how you came to be here." He glanced at Tohru, who jumped up quickly.
"Yes, yes! Of course, I am so sorry! How rude of me not to prepare tea straight away! Please wait a moment while I get some!" She ran out of the room.
Every one looked at each other awkwardly, unsure of what to say now that things had calmed down a bit. I glanced at Kyo, who sat still in the corner, arms across his chest as if this was a waste of his time.
"Tohru means well," Shigure said conversationally. There was more silence as we all watched each other untrustingly. Then, Tohru entered the room with a tray and set it in the middle of the room. "Thank you, Tohru." Tohru smiled. "Now then," Shigure said, "Who will start the story?" We all turned and looked at Nikooru.
"Fine," she said, "I guess I've been nominated." She took a sip of tea and began. "It all started one day when I begged my friends to come over to my house…."
My mind began to wander. I just hope she doesn't put in the part about us kissing….but I am sure she won't, she didn't even want Illva to tell… Thinking of Illva, I remembered the walk on the path earlier and blushed, sneaking a look at Nikooru. I wonder how much Illva's told her…(a/n: Nothing yet!) (FLASHBACK!!)
Illva- well, little bro, you are pretty far back here.
Me- Oh! Walks faster Sorry, sis, I was just thinking…
Illva- …about Nikooru??
Me- I don't know what you are talking about. The woods just aren't very interesting, and I was lost in my own little world.
Illva- so, what exactly is the story with you two?
Me- …at the moment?
Illva- Whenever… how long have you known her?
Me- Since we were in kindergarten. On the first day, this little brown haired ball of energy walked into class. I probably wouldn't have noticed her, except she was ten minutes late. laugh And so I asked her why, and she told me some story, and we got to know each other, and we've been friends ever since. I mean, I couldn't get rid of her.
Illva- Until now, apparently.
Me- I don't know why you're so concerned, it's not like I promised her anything.
Illva- sigh Bro, it's like this. She is into you, and it is soooo painfully obvious.
So if you could please just get things in order between you two…. I mean, you are right that I don't really care I just can't stand to hear her whine anymore. Don't you like her? It sure LOOKED like you did…
Me- Well, I don't know, I just don't! Why are you pressuring me about this??
Illva- No reason.
Me- Did Nikooru put you up to this?!
Illva- Is that really something you can see her doing?
Me- ….Guess not.
Illva- Besides, even if she asked me, I wouldn't do it. You know I don't follow orders. In fact, I guess it is because she didn't ask me to that I am helping her out for.
Me-…..??
Illva- So, what is the story? Do you like her or not?? SPILL!
Me- Well, yeah, I kind of do. blushes
Illva- claps hands I knew it… he he he…
Me- DON'T YOU DARE MENTION IT TO HER!
Illva- I won't, I won't. But you do need to tell her… whenever you are ready. You cannot hide from your feelings forever.
Me- I know, I know. I'll get to it.
Illva- Well, you better get to it soon. Nikooru's obsessing is getting on my nerves.
Me- All right, okay! I'll get to it.
Illva- nods good. leaves
(END FLASHBACK)
"Hey, Tem, are you with us?" Illva is looking at me, grinning like the Cheshire cat.
"Uh, yeah, I was just remembering something." Illva's grin got wider.
"Sure."
Nikooru glanced at me, took a breath, and continued her story. "So then we all just sort of found each other, and I heard Kyo-kun ranting, so I followed his voice, and then Thoru-chan came and they took us here. And… that's it."
"Hmm…" brooded Shigure. "So that's what you meant when you said you weren't from here. So, you're telling me that you know everything about us, and about the curse, because you come from a 'real world', and that we are just a… manga story?"
"….yeah."
"My head is spinning," Tohru said.
"Kyo?" prodded Shigure.
"IT'S A BUNCH OF FREAKING BULL CRAP!! IT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE IN A MILLION YEARS!! AND EVEN IF IT WERE, THAT WOULD BE STUPID TO TELL US ABOUT IT!!ARE YOU ALL IDIOTS?!"
"Kyo, calm down," Shigure said, holding his ears. "I do not appreciate that level of noise in my house. Now," he added turning to us, "what are we going to do with you all?"
"ISN'T IT OBVIOUS?! THEY CAN'T STAY HERE KNOWING WHAT THEY KNOW!! IT'S UNNATURAL! THEY EITER NEED TO LEAVE OR THEY NEED TO HAVE THEIR MEMORIES ERASED!"
"Kyo, I don't think we need to jump to that," said Shigure. "And please… the noise level?"
"Whatever," Kyo said, "I'm leaving." He got up, threw the door open, and slammed it shut after him. Shigure shook his head.
"He still has quite a temper." He glanced at us. "This matter, as you might well imagine, takes a lot of thinking about. For now, I would like you to stay here while I come up with a decision." We must have all looked scared to death, because he added, "don't worry. I will do all I can to ensure you leave with all the memories you came with."
"Whe….whe….where can we stay?" asked Nikooru, her face pale.
"There are two guest rooms down the hall. The boys may take the one on the left, the girls, the one on the right. Tohru will show you." Tohru jumped to her feet and bowed. (A/N: I don't know if this is really part of their house at all. I put these rooms in so they'd have a place to sleep. So forgive me if they don't exist.)
"Please follow me!"
She showed us each into our rooms.
"Good night," she said, then shut the door and left. Kir looked at me.
"Well," he said, "got any good stories?" I smiled.
"Good night, Kir."
"Buenos noches!"
END CHAPTER
Well, another chappie comes to an end! I hope you liked it! Please review! Or my beta may not let me post anymore!