A/N: Oh my god… I so died while writing this… You'll know why when you read it.
And for those who care; I will study writing for the next 3 years! I got in on the school and course of my choice! *Happy dance*
-:AYAME'S POV:-
I looked up expectantly at Yuki. I was so happy that he'd agreed so eagerly to it, I'd been ready to be shot down flat but he was ready with a question right away! I itched to move, but Yuki had told me to sit still, so I had to do that. It didn't stop my eyes from twinkling excitedly and my feet to bounce just a little bit on the floor though.
"It's something I've been wondering for a while…" He began and I nodded, waiting for the rest.
"Why am I living with Shigure? I mean, we're not that closely related, and I kind of wondered about our family…" He stopped and looked down on me. I could feel his violet eyes scanning my expression but I couldn't do anything. I froze.
Why? Why did he have to ask that? I don't know how to answer… I don't know how to tell him about it!
I was panicking, I knew that. My thoughts came to a complete halt once the information sunk in and I couldn't think, couldn't find any words. And that was bad considering my brain and tongue usually worked overload and were often working on at least two different subjects at the same time.
I opened my mouth, trying to answer, but there wasn't anything I wanted to say. And suddenly my thoughts kicked back into motion. There wasn't anything I wanted to say? No, I just didn't want to tell Yuki about mother and father. I didn't want to put that burden back on him. I…
"Haha" Yuki laughed. I blinked, stupefied once more.
"What's with that expression? I was just joking; you didn't take it seriously did you?" He smiled and cocked his head to the side, his whole expression telling me it had all just been a joke. But I'd done that myself. I'd told the very same lie.
I don't want Yuki to lie.
"I'm sorry; it was a cruel joke, wasn't it?"A hand gently tousled my hair and I bowed my head under the weight, despite my conflicting feeling about what Yuki had told me, I was overjoyed about the gesture.
I didn't look up as the hand extracted itself from my hair, nor when I felt the warmth leave my side.
"Good night, Ayame nii-san."
I remained seated where I was, confused. Time went on, but the room remained the same, although I could hear the crickets outside now. The house was growing silent, voices disappearing as the occupants went to sleep.
Hanging my head lower, a lock of hair slid down my shoulder, ghosting across my neck causing me to shiver.
"Aya? Now what are you doing there?" A voice asked cheerfully but I didn't react to it. I barely registered what the words meant.
What should I do?
"Aya? Hey, did something happen?" Someone sat down next to me, brushing my hair out of my eyes and turning my head to I looked at the face of the one who did it. It was Shigure, his expression turning serious when I met his dark eyes.
"Do you want to talk to Hatori?" He asked quietly, searching my expression and I almost nodded, but then shook my head, thought confused and contradicting. He kept my face cradled in his hand and gently brushed my hair behind my ears.
"Then, will I do?" His query was soft and had a small hint of playfulness in it. It was soothing and familiar, something I needed now. I nodded and leaned forward until my head rested on his shoulder. Familiar scent, warmth and presence…
"So, what happened?" He fiddled with my hair and kept his tone light as he asked the dreaded question.
"Yuki… asked about our family. His and mine..." I didn't know how to explain the intense dread I'd felt when he asked. But it didn't seem like I would have to. Continuing to stroke my hair he answered, slowly and casually, as though it was completely normal.
"I see. That must have been a shock."
"I couldn't tell him 'Gure, I couldn't tell him about mother…" I sniffed a little and he shushed me.
"Shush, I understand. Let's go wipe your nose before you leave snot all over my shirt and then we go to sleep, alright? You can sleep with me tonight, so you won't have to be alone with your thoughts. We can talk to Yuki tomorrow, together. Is that fine?"
"Yesh" I said, my stuffy nose warping the word. He pushed me back a little before playfully exclaiming that my pretty face was going to get ruined. Smiling I followed him to the bathroom and dutifully blew my nose before I followed him to his room, dressing in a white sleeping yutaka and curling down, soon joined by the absolutely wonderful warmth of my friend.
I shifted a little.
"Eeek! Ayame, your feet are cold." He complained and I smiled before snuggling even closer and tangling those cold limbs with his. No complaints would bereave me of being comfortable!
It took me only a moment to drift off to sleep, though it would have been easier if Shigure could learn to lay still. He was too shifty for my taste…
It must have been morning when I was rudely dragged from sleep. My pillow shifted and my arms were being tugged so I couldn't really sleep any longer. Opening my eyes to slits I saw that more than my arms being pulled, Shigure was trying to sit up but I clung to him like a koala.
"Morning sunshine" He said when I smiled groggily at him. He smiled back and then expertly removed my arms, expertly meaning tickling my side so I rolled into a ball with a squeal.
"Hurry up and get dressed. We're going to get some breakfast done, you and I." I uncurled from my ball and looked up at him, nodding once before he disappeared out of the room. I pulled myself up and though I regretted having to leave the warmth of the bed, I rose and sneaked through the corridor to the room that had been intended for me.
I snuck inside and then started to rummage through my bag, humming as I rejected cloth after cloth until finally I settled for a shirt, dark pants and a blue overcoat. Slipping easily into the clothes I rubbed my arms to warm the cloth and skin underneath. It was so troublesome being the snake, never staying warm for more than a few moments.
After I was dressed I went down the stairs, treading lightly and gracefully, my thoughts working double shifts already.
We'll be heading home tomorrow morning… What should I tell Yuki? Should I bring up the question he joked away? Or maybe I shouldn't. Perhaps it's better if I talk to him about something lighter?
That reminds me, is Mine alright handling the store? Did those fabrics arrive already? I need them for the western dress.
Should I tell Yuki about the dress? No, he won't be interested. Maybe if I-
"Tea, coffee or chocolate?" I blinked and gave Shigure a slightly dazed look before I bounced over and seated myself.
"I want hot chocolate with cream!" I said excitedly, my previous thoughts completely eradicated, and he raised a brow but complied.
"As you wish."
A moment later I had the hot brew before me and I blew on it before gingerly taking a sip, instantly burning my tongue. Slipping the burned appendage out of my mouth with a grimace I waved at it with my hand, the other placing the cup on the table, but still holding on to it for warmth.
"Why do you always burn your tongue whenever you have chocolate?" The question was said in a curiously teasing manner and I answered in a likewise carefree way.
"I can't wait all day, especially not when I have it right in front of my nose! You know how much I like chocolate!"
"I know, but just where did you get that fetish? I've been by your side for ages and I can't tell when you got such an obsession with it. "
"Of course, it was when Yuki had some! He offered me to take a sip! I was so happy and instantly took a sip! Oh, I burned my tongue that time as well." I added the last as an afterthought, thinking back on the event.
"Did he smile by any chance?" Shigure laughed at me.
"How could you guess?" I made wide eyes at him but he just smirked the way he did when he knew something I didn't and he wasn't going to tell.
"Gure~!" I complained but he just chuckled.
"Drink your chocolate. It should have cooled a little by now." He definitely didn't play fair. But I picked up the chocolate and took a sip, wincing as the chocolate, unlike what Shigure had told me, was still scalding.
-:SHIGURE'S POV:-
I chuckled when he burned his tongue on the chocolate. He just looked so ridiculous with his nose scrunched up, tongue sticking out and a hand frantically and completely uselessly waving at the burn.
And his explanation only had me fighting harder not to outright laugh. To think that Yuki would actually trick Ayame into drinking scalding chocolate! What a sadistic little devil he was; who'd have guessed?
And that brother of his, completely oblivious. I'd better not burst his bubble. Though he complained loudly and tried to have me tell him I just smirked and on an impulse told him to drink the chocolate. And he did, letting out an upset squeak as he burned his already tender tongue once more.
As I said, oblivious.
It was some time later that I heard a thud coming from upstairs. I wondered who it could be, but eventually my question was answered as Yuki stumbled down the stairs. He looked completely out of it, in fact so much so I almost expected him to walk straight into a wall any second.
But he made it to the table and slumped down on a chair, placing his arms on the table and dropping his head down to rest on top of them, looking as though he fell asleep again. Ayame sat staring at him like a deer in headlight and from my place by the counter, a fresh cup of coffee in hand, I watched the two of them.
The minutes ticked by and I let my gaze slid over to the clock on the wall while I swallowed some of the bitter brew. Hmm, they are sleeping unusually late, my mind noted. "They" basically meaning Tohru and Hatori.
Speaking of the devil, Hatori ghosted down the stairs and entered the room, dressed in shirt and dress pants; tie properly in place and hair perfectly combed. He looked ready for business.
"Coffee?" I asked and gestured with my mug. He nodded and seated himself while I turned my back to the table and got a cup ready. Turning back I got the privilege of seeing Yuki return from the dead. He raised his head and though the area around his eyes was puffy, the eyes themselves were alert as he straightened his posture and gave a single yawn.
"Good morning" He said and Hatori and I answered in differing degrees of enthusiasm.
"Good morning Yuki."
"A glorious morning indeed, my dear brother! And I am here to share it with you!" No need to guess who said that.
Returning my attention to my coffee for a moment, swirling the dark brew at the bottom of my cup, I suddenly was hit with a brilliant idea, and I couldn't help but smile mischievously.
"Want some hot chocolate, Yuki?" I asked in a voice sweet as honey and saw him blink in surprise before raising a brow questioningly at my tone.
"Ayame already had some, but I'm afraid he burned his tongue." I continued, voice as sweet as before. And I'm quite certain I didn't imagine the flicker of recognition crossing his expression before he overly politely declined, refusing to look at Ayame. Busted, was all I could think and I snickered.
Instead of taking up the offer of chocolate, Yuki rose and got a bowl, cereals and milk out before he seated himself again and started fix himself some breakfast.
"Can you stop staring at me? It's a bit unnerving and I'm trying to eat here." Yuki pointed out and a pair of guilty citrine eyes turned away, the other two pairs keeping to their own business. Of course, my business dealt with the young teen, so I couldn't exactly say I let him out of my sight.
I had a promise with his brother to keep after all.
"Thank you" Yuki muttered after a while and then started to eat. I kept him under supervision the whole time, waiting for the moment to begin. Since we were all gathered it was a good opportunity and we'd have to take care of this one time or another. Better sooner than later.
When he put down his spoon and leaned back a little I cast Hatori a quick glance before I spoke up.
"Yuki, I have a few questions I would like to ask. Care to indulge?"
"Depends on. Will you care for my answers?" There was a small challenge in his words and I recognized the words from our little chat the other day.
"I'll listen to them. You are welcome to ask questions as well." I offered, knowing he would accept the terms.
"Fine. You first, what do you want to ask?"
"I want to know whether you know someone by the name of Akito."
"No, I don't. Haven't you- No, that's not my question. Who is this Akito?" He changed the question and I wondered briefly what his first question was, but dismissed the thought in favor of answering his question.
"Akito is the head of our clan, and somewhat of a god to us. Have you heard the story of the 12 zodiacs before?"
"No, I haven't. Why would you wonder that?" Continuing to throw back questions huh? Well, it made this a whole lot easier, so I didn't mind.
"I asked because the 12 zodiacs are closely related to our family history. Now then, would you like to hear about the zodiacs and its relation to our family?"
"It's not like I have anything better to do." He said, but he couldn't quite hide the curiosity from me.
"Hatori, you know it the best. Why don't you enlighten him?" I said with a smile and leaned back against the counter. Hatori gave me an exasperated look but started to tell the story either way.
"Long ago God invited his favorite animals to a banquet. It was to be a grand feast and he warned them not to be late. The animals he invited were the rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and the boar. But God invited one more individual, the cat." He made a pause to catch his breath before he continued.
"The cat, not having heard the news of the banquet yet, was played a prank by the rat. The rat told the cat that the banquet was the day after the set date. So while the other animals walked the path to God's feast, the cat stayed home, thinking it would be the next day. The rat rode on the ox's back to the feast and by jumping down before the gates it was the first animal to arrive, earning the first place in the cycle. All the animals on the feast became the zodiacs of today, but the cat was cursed and left out for being late." Hatori ended it monotonously and I clapped my hands.
"That pretty much sums it up. Any comments so far?"
"Leaving the cat out sounds pretty unfair" Was his comment. And was that a surprise or what? I didn't think Yuki would defend the cat.
"But I guess it's his own fault for being tricked." I judged too soon again, it seems. But the comment was better than the previous one. This sounded more like the Yuki I knew, and that was way better than a Yuki who was the opposite of what I expected. I preferred predictable people over unpredictable, after all.
Either way, I once more took charge of the conversation, seeing as Hatori believed himself done.
"I don't know about that, but now you must wonder what all of this has to do with our family to do, right?"
"Enlighten me" Was all Yuki said, putting his chin in his hands, elbows against the table for support as he looked at me expectantly. Very well. Now comes the crazy part. I do wonder how he'll take it.
"Hatori counted up the zodiacs before. Well, we in the Sohma family are a tiny bit special. Every generation or so, one child gets possessed by the spirit of each of the zodiacs. I, for example, am the host for the dog zodiac, Hatori over there is the dragon and your brother is the snake."
"Uhm…" Oh Yuki, I wish you could see your expression right now! He was looking wonderfully dubious and was giving me one of those looks questioning my sanity.
"You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" I said with a wide grin and he shook his head.
"Absolutely not" He answered matter-of-factly and I sighed, shaking my head at him.
"I thought so."
"Hey! What are you acting all high and mighty for?" He gave me a sour look and I was about to answer him when quick footsteps where heard, soon followed by Tohru bursting into the room, hair on end.
"Ah, I can't believe I over slept! I'm sorry; I couldn't get coffee for you!" She started rambling right of the bat apologizing and Yuki rose trying to calm her, telling her to sit down before she tripped or something.
Huh…Tripping… Sounds fun.
Smiling mischievously I pushed away from the counter and walked up to Yuki from behind and "accidentally" bumped into him while passing, sending him into Tohru.
A telltale poof and a small rat was sitting dazedly amongst scattered clothing.
"Oh, I'm sorry Yuki-kun! I should have seated myself!" Tohru exclaimed holding the shirt Yuki had worn just moments before clutched to her chest.
Yuki blinked repeatedly, ears twitching as he lifted his gaze, and head, to look up at her. He blinked some more and then looked down, lifting his small paws, closing and opening them as he stared at them.
"What the fuck?" Were the first words coming out his mouth.
Oh dear lord… did Yuki just drop the f-bomb? I felt my eyes going wide in surprise and then I turned as I heard crash. The chair Ayame had been occupying was out of sight along with the silver haired man, who upon closer inspection had fallen over in surprise, now sitting on the floor and looking at his rat brother with wide eyes. His moment of silent shock didn't last long.
"No! Who taught you such unsightly words? This heinous act can't be tolerated!" He then exclaimed and threw himself at the rat, catching him before he had time to make more than a wide eyed squeak. Bringing him to his chest he continued his tirade.
"It's all right my dear brother! I will protect you from now on! Your innocent soul shall not be tainted by such vulgarism!" He boomed out and I felt sorry for Yuki who squeezed his eyes shut and his ears twitched before he started to slap at Ayame's hand with his small paws.
"Hey, put me down! And you! Stop staring and tell me what's going on!" He waved his small arms at me and I doubled over, laughing. Oh lord, kill me now! It was so hilarious, I couldn't help it! A rat was shaking it's fist at me!
"Can the explanation wait just a few minutes Yuki? It appears like Shigure just snapped and I don't believe Ayame is going to let go any time soon." I heard Hatori say but my laugh was almost drowning it out. When the fit was over and I straightened, brushing away a stray tear, I heard a door slam and several stomping steps.
"Do you have to be so freaking loud in the morning?" Kyo growled as he made his glorious entrance upon the scene. One glance at the silent room and he froze before he turned around and walked away, deciding this wasn't going to get better with him getting caught up in the mess.
"Ah, Kyo! Sorry, you see it's just that…"Tohru's voice slowly faded away as she rushed after him to explain, leaving me and Hatori watching Yuki's struggle against his brother.
Finally Hatori intervened, perhaps talking pity on the confused rat.
"Ayame, could you please but him down so he isn't as agitated? He'll never turn back to normal if he doesn't calm down." He said patiently and Yuki went limp in Ayame's hands, obviously having his wits tested to their limits by the doctor's words. Ayame complied after a moment and sat his brother down by his clothes and backed a little.
Everyone waited and finally the poof was heard and eyes turned away to allow the teen to get dressed. I snickered at his indignant exclamation about being naked and when I was pretty certain he was decent again I turned back.
"Care to explain what just happened?" Yuki said in a low voice, his face red from indignation and his appearance ruffled. He rose and leaned against the wall, wrapping his arms around his torso in a defensive manner.
"We told you before about the zodiacs and how we are the hosts for them. You are the host for the rat." Hatori explained.
"I'm a what?" He asked and I repeated what Hatori said.
"Host for the rat of the 12 zodiacs."
"You're kidding, right?" I would never have thought he'd be so hard to convince. He turned back from being a rat just a few moments ago! Which I, being the nice person I was, pointed out.
"Well, you did just transform into a rat, did you not?"
"I wish I could say 'Did not' " He muttered before turning silent, his eyes reflecting the chaotic thoughts that must run rampage in his head at the moment. I left him to his own thoughts for a moment before I went over to him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on, sit and we'll explain this properly to you." He nodded and let himself be led to a chair and seated. I helped Ayame to his chair as well before I seated myself, joining the other three.
"Basically it's like we've told you already. The Sohma family has been "cursed" for generations. You have met all the hosts already. Apart from us, Hatsuharu is the ox, Momiji the hare, Kagura the boar, Kisa the tiger, Hiro the sheep, Ritsu the monkey, Rin the horse and then there's Kureno, the rooster."
"Do you really expect me to remember that after hearing it once?" Yuki said, rubbing his temple, looking annoyed but thoughtful.
"You'll learn it eventually, I'm sure. Either way, there's also the cat. He's not part of the official zodiac but the spirit still has its own host, and that host is Kyo."
"Is that why he hates me? That's so cartoon, the cat chasing the rat I mean." He shook his head and I mentally debated whether I should let him believe that was the reason or explain their relationship a little.
The ups in telling him would be that he could act more normally around Kyo, maybe calming him down a little.
The downs were that he may blow up in my face if I tell him since he can't remember anything about it and he may chose to confront Kyo and a lot of other not so convenient things.
More bad than good, so he'll have to remember on his own. Who knows, maybe they'll come to an understanding?
…
Yeah right.
"Well, something like that. Either way, as you noticed before, you transformed when you crashed into Tohru. There are two things that make us transform. One is when he get hugged by the opposite sex. This does not include those who are a host for a spirit. The second way is if we get exposed to a lot of stress or when our bodies are weak for some reason."
"Totally logical" Yuki commented sardonically and I snickered. Who would have thought Yuki had a sense of humor?
"Logic or not, it's problematic and comes with a few rules. People outside of the Sohma household are not to know about the curse. Which means you have to make sure you don't crash into any females."
"And what if I do?"
"You hide and contact Hatori. He will make sure the incident will be forgotten, but I recommend you not to test it." He nodded once and I clapped my hands, replacing my grave expression with a cheerful one.
"Now that that's over with, is there anything you wonder about?"
"A lot, but I think I've got enough answers for now. I think I'll take a walk to gather my thoughts." He rose from his chair, taking it for granted that he could just leave. Not up to arguing about it, I took a glance out the window and hurried to put out a request at least.
"Dress properly, it's still risk for more rain. And return before lunch." I told him and he nodded, walking out of the room. I now turned my attention to my longhaired cousin. Ayame had been silent the whole conversation, if you didn't count the little mishap, but he seemed to be content about the outcome.
"We'll talk to him about your family later, alright? I know I promised, but I think Yuki needs some time." I explained myself just in case, but he shook his head.
"It's fine. I do not wish to rush him." He reassured me and even gave me a genuine smile. Relieved I dismissed our little gathering.
"Good. Now, how about we evacuate the kitchen and let the cat have some breakfast in peace? I'm sure Tohru can coax him here if we just mind our own business."
-:YUKI'S POV:-
I had already gone upstairs to pull a gray hoodie over my head and put on a thin jacket to keep the imminent rain away should it fall when I slipped on my shoes and headed outside. The clouds were light grey and covered the entire sky. The ground was glistening with wet drops from the storm last night and the ground gave softly underneath my feet.
I picked up a slow pace, leisurely strolling down from the house on a well used path. While I let my mind chew on the information I'd been fed, I let my eyes take in the surrounding landscape. The path led across a plain of grass, up a hill were it divided into two, one leading to a lake of middle size and the other continuing towards the woods.
Admiring the grey reflections on the water surface from a distance, I then followed the wooden path. I pulled up my hood when I felt the drops hitting my head, dripping from the branches above. It was relatively quiet, a few birds making their way from one branch to another, causing a rustle followed by a cascade of small droplets.
I continued walking for quite a long while. When the rain started to fall like predicted, I took shelter underneath a tree with heavy branches, keeping almost all water off of me.
I crouched down and observed the water hitting the ground of the path I'd walked for a moment before I more closely inspected my thoughts which had been buzzing at the back of my awareness ever since the talk at the house.
"The rat of the 12 zodiacs, huh." It all felt so unrealistic. Transforming into a rat because I bumped into a girl? Such things just didn't happen. Yet, it had.
"This is messed up." And who knows how much more is coming?
A/N: Here we go. I had a lot of trouble with the conversation with Shigure, Hatori, Ayame and Yuki. Didn't I complain about that the last chapter? Gods, I hate having them speak all together! I'll have to try and avoid that in the future or I'm going to go bonkers.
I tried tuning the funny part down, and I tried swapping lines, but it just didn't cut it. Ayame felt soooo unbalanced, I have no idea how to keep track of that guy! He should be the eel, not the snake! He's just too damn slippery! *grumble grumble*
Either way, you'll ust have to deal with it! I can't make it any better! T_T
