I found myself the next morning walking towards Yuki's garden. I wanted to grab some vegetables for breakfast and some strawberries to make a cake. I wanted to make them a good desert since I wouldn't be here tonight to make them supper.
I was anxious to start my job. I never worked before in my whole life. I could almost picture Remulin in my head and his reaction of me telling him that I was going to be a maid. He'd probably fall over dead after he made me deaf from all the yelling he would do. I laughed softly and continued to my destination.
After a while, when my basket was overflowing with fruits and vegetables I walked back towards the house. It still never failed to impress me at how beautiful the house was in its simplicity. I also hoped that Yuki was up and we could be alone for a while before Shigure was up, but I doubted it since Yuki always seemed to sleep in till the last possible moment. It would be interesting to see how he managed to get ready for school since he seemed to enjoy sleeping in late.
I bet he isn't going to be very nice in the mornings I said smiling inwardly. Yuki is obviously not a morning person. On the other hand, I love mornings. We are such opposites that it's amazing we get along so well.
I was pleasantly continuing my inner dialogue to myself that I was completely oblivious to the fact that a door was coming sailing at my head at an alarming rate. I flew through the air onto my back and the fruits and vegetables flew all over the porch. I tried to sit up and all I saw were stars. "I demand that you challenge me to a fight stupid rat. I won't lose after my new training master taught me!" I heard a voice yell from the door.
"Eluned-chan!" Yuki yelled as he ran over to me, "Are you alright? That idiot cat is always hurting other people. It's the only thing he is good at. Let me help you stand."
"It's alright Yuki-kun." I gasped as my head spun. His gentle arms lifted me up until I was breathing heavy against his shoulder. "I just need a minute to adjust my head, it's spinning like crazy."
I felt him rub my back in comfort and I could have stayed there for an eternity, but I wanted to see who the person was who had flung me and my basket across the porch. I turned around slowly and I stepped away from Yuki. I glared up at the person who had thrown the door open so carelessly. I couldn't help but have my mouth hang open in shock at the attractive boy that was staring at Yuki in open hatred. He had bright orange hair and red eyes that just noticed my presence. I saw them widen in shock that changed to bewildered confusion. "Who are you? Why are you so close to the rat?"
"My name is Eluned Honda." I said, "Why are you so mean to Yuki? You must be Kyo-kun. You know it's not very nice to slam doors open onto people's faces. I have a headache thank you very much."
He looked at me in shock and then stuttered out what sounded like an apology and the whole time he said it, it looked like he was turning purple from suffocation.
I laughed at his downtrodden expression and I walked up to him and shook his hand. "Thank you for that wonderful apology Kyo. I was looking forward to meeting you. I am staying at Shigure-san's house for awhile till I get some money. I hope we can be friends Kyo-kun. And what was this I heard about fighting?"
"I don't need any friends." He said gruffly, "If you didn't run into the door I could be fighting the rat right now. I am better then him and I will win!"
"Don't you dare yell at her you idiot cat!" Yuki snapped, "She was being nice to after you hurt her and you are an insensitive brute as always."
He looked ashamed a little as he looked down at me. I knew Kyo was a good person, but a horrible temper, especially around Yuki. I had an idea of why he hated him so much.
I knew the tales of the Chinese zodiac and how the cat wasn't allowed to join. I think he thought by defeating Yuki then he would be accepted. I felt really bad for him to be an outcast all of your life from your own family. He had precious little love in his life. He was a lot like another boy I knew long ago, but I knew Kyo would never hurt someone weaker then him. He was kind at heart.
His temper had reached its boiling point as he ran over to Yuki and started fighting with him. I was scared for Yuki, but it was too late for me to stop it. Yuki blocked his hit and I sighed in relief. They fought with one another the whole time Kyo yelling insults at Yuki. Yuki on the other hand was cool and collected and I knew with out having to see the end of the fight who was going to be the winner.
Kyo let his anger cloud his fighting skills and it made him loose focus. I felt horrible for him when Yuki kicked him hard enough he landed on his back in the dirt. He looked furious and so horribly embarrassed that I ran over to him. I knelt by him as he was sitting up. "Kyo-kun please don't be angry. Fighting doesn't solve anything, and neither does anger. If you want my personal opinion though I think you did a good job and I am sure you will win next time."
I smiled down at him and offered him my hand. He looked bewildered a minute in his anger, but he took my hand. "I don't know why you are being so nice to me, but don't think this means I want to be your friend. And you, you stupid rat I will win even if I have to destroy this house to do it."
"I look forward to it, idiot cat." Yuki said smirking, "Eluned-chan don't waste your time with being nice to him he isn't worthy of your friendship, if he even knows what a friend is for?"
"What!" He yelled, "I'll show you pretty boy. Fine, I'll be your stupid friend! I would be a better one then that anti-social rat over there."
"I am so happy Kyo-kun!" I said laughing in excitement, "We'll all be best friends I know it! And we go to school in a few days we can all sit together, wouldn't that be wonderful. You do go to school right Kyo-kun?"
Yuki started laughing uproariously at the utter astonishment that Kyo was looking at me with. I probably went a little overboard with the sitting together at school, but I wanted these two to get over there hatred for one another before they seriously hurt one another. "The cat is too much of an idiot to go to school." Yuki said laughing, "He doesn't know his head from a hole in the ground."
"I'm not stupid!" he roared as preceded to jump on Yuki again. I watched as it was too late as they crashed through the door to the house.
I sighed in exasperation and thought it was going to be a very long stay with those two constantly going at each other's necks. I heard Shigure yelp in exaggerated artistic form at the destruction of his beautiful home. I walked up to the two as they were getting up a little unsteadily. "Are you two alright?" I asked worried.
"I'm fine Eluned-chan," Yuki said smiling at me, "no thanks to the idiot."
"I glad your not hurt." I said gently looking at Yuki and then proceeded to look at Kyo with a fury that made him flinch, "Who do you think you are that you can go around throwing people into perfectly good doors? You both could have been hurt and where would that get you?"
"It's none of your business what I do with the rat!" He yelled at me, "You aren't my mother and I don't need some girl telling me what to do!"
"Fine!" I said dangerously close to tears, "I don't care what you do. I just thought that you could learn to settle your differences other ways then by fighting. Fighting never solves anything. It just makes things worse."
I then ran past him and disappeared inside. I went up to my room and laid on my bed trying to not let the rude boy get to me. I really was getting sick of people who thought physical violence could solve their problems. Kyo took his anger out on Yuki because they were natural born enemies and he couldn't help, but despise Yuki for what he didn't have, acceptance. I just thought it was horrible having to hurt each other to get their points across.
I sighed in weariness when I heard a knock on my door. I really didn't want to talk to anyone right now, but I told them to come in. I knew who it was as soon as they sat down on my bed and wrapped me in their arms. My sweet Yuki. I just laid in his embrace as he rubbed my back in reassurance. "My light," Yuki said in reassurance, "Forget about him. He isn't worth the time of day for you to worry about. He is an animal in the truest sense of the word. He won't ever change. Kyo has been obsessed since we were children that he could defeat me, but he'll never win and he can't accept that."
I looked up at Yuki in dejected sadness. "Yuki-kun did you ever think that he can't help, but be what he is. He is envious of your position in the jyuunishi and all he wants is to be accepted. Kyo-kun seems to believe if he defeats you then he'll be accepted. I don't know how wrong or right it is, but it is a very sad life."
Yuki looked at me quizzically and then kissed me on the lips gently. "That is one of the reasons I love you Anorien-chan. I never looked at it that way. You have an amazing ability to look to the bottom of one's soul and see them for what they truly are. If what you say is true, I am very sorry for him, but the jyuunishi have been like this since the very beginning; and it can't be changed."
"I know." I whispered, "I just think it is horrible for someone to be rejected by his family just because he's a forced outcast. It's so cruel and inhuman. I am sick of people being rejected because they are different. Nothing ever changes no matter where you are."
"There is nothing we can do to change Kyo's fate, my love." Yuki said sadly.
"I want to do something for him Yuki-kun." I said, "Kyo-kun doesn't have to be so alone and I am going to become his friend. I know he just angry and frustrated and I am positive deep down that he is as sweet as you are beloved."
He started laughing slightly, "I think if Kyo could here you now he would run away in horror and never return. Which all things considered I don't think would be such a bad idea."
I smacked him in the arm. "Yuki Sohma!" I said in disbelief, "I can't believe I said you are sweet. No wonder Kyo-kun wants to fight with you if this how you really are."
"You said it yourself." He said grinning, "So far you have called me adorable and cute. I can't wait to see what you will call me next."
I stared at him in disbelief for a second then I thought spitefully that he was sitting very close to the edge of the bed and it would so easy to casually push him on the floor.
Bam! He looked up at me in shock. I started laughing uproariously at how ridiculous he looked sprawled on the floor. "I have a new word to call you Yuki-kun," I said as serious as I could be with tears of mirth running down my face, "hilarious."
He sat up and looked at me evilly. "I show you something hilarious Anorien-chan."
Before I had a chance to reply he had jumped on the bed and pinned me down on the bed. He breathed into my ear and I shivered involuntarily, "I hope you are very ticklish, love."
I squealed in laughter as he tickled me under my arms. I couldn't breath from laughing so hard when I begged him to stop. "Do you think I am hilarious anymore Anorien-chan?"
I shook my head furiously thinking I couldn't survive another tickle session. "Good…" he smiled as he kissed my neck, "I think there are so many more things we could be doing then tickling, don't you?"
I moaned as he continued to kiss down my neck. I was overwhelmed with the feeling he was making me feel. I didn't want to end as I pulled his face up to give him a proper kiss. I couldn't take anymore of his teasing caresses. Are lips were locked for what seemed like an eternity and we broke apart gasping for breath. "If this is what always happens," I gasped, "when I push you off the bed I plan on doing it a lot."
He laughed softly as he nuzzled my neck. "I don't think my butt could take much more. We'll have to find some other way to continue this my light."
I sighed when I remember how late it was getting. As much as I was enjoying being in Yuki's arms dinner was waiting my ministrations or I wouldn't here the end of it from Shigure. "Yuki, my love, as much as I love being in your adorable arms I have to go make supper. It's getting late and I have four to cook for now."
He sat up quickly, but there was great hesitation in his eyes. "I want a cooked supper, but I would much rather kiss you, my light, for all of eternity."
I sighed sadly as my eyes watered with tears, "Yuki-kun you really need to stop talking so beautifully. All I seem to do when you talk like that is to cry. A girl can only take so much flattery."
"You deserve every word I speak and more so, my light." He said smiling. "You saved me from my despair and I would do anything for you."
"I love you Yuki-kun." I whispered as I hugged him.
We hesitantly parted ways after that. I gave him a lingering glance as he went to his room and I headed downstairs to make dinner. My beautiful, beloved Yuki. I didn't know what I was going to do when I could be with him anymore. He was quickly becoming my life and I couldn't think of a time when we hadn't been together.
I hummed the whole time I made dinner. I made leek soup and chicken. It smelled heavenly. It had always been my favorite meal since I could remember. I had just finished setting the table when I saw that Shigure and Yuki had walked in. I frowned when I saw the Kyo hadn't shown up. I had hoped to start my plan "befriend Kyo-kun" at dinner, but apparently my luck wasn't with me tonight.
"It smells divine, my little bride." Shigure said practically foaming at the mouth. "I beg you to marry me goddess of the kitchen. I can't stand the minutes that we are apart…"
Wack! Shigure sat down next to the table in mock anguish rubbing his head. "Yuki-kun how could you hurt me. I love you too. There is no need to be jealous. What Eluned-chan and I have only men and women share. It in no way takes away the love I feel for you."
Yuki looked exasperated as he sat down as well. "Shigure-san I swear you will never change. You are and always will be a pervert."
"Yuki-kun," I said happily, "I don't mind at all when Shigure talks like that. It's actually very flattering."
Yuki scowled at Shigure as he ranted on again, "You don't know how happy you have made me, my bride. You beauty outshines the sun, and your food is fit for the gods."
I started giggling slightly at his grossly exaggerated words. It was actually quite atrocious, but I couldn't help but blush as he shot me a look that was full of desire. I couldn't bare of what Yuki must be thinking if his thunderous expression was anything to go by. He was glaring at Shigure like he wanted to kill him. I said something that had been plaguing me since the beginning of dinner. "Where is Kyo-kun? He must be dreadfully hungry after his long trip. I'll make him a plate and he can eat it later."
Yuki smiled evilly, "I wouldn't bother Eluned-chan. The idiot cat hates leeks. He'll be fine if you just give him a bowl of cat food."
I gasped worriedly, "Oh no! Is that why he didn't come to dinner; because I made leek soup. I'm so sorry. I'll make something different right away. I just made it because I hadn't had it in such a long time and it's one of my favorites. I hope he isn't horribly mad at me. I just wanted to be his friend and I probably ruined it forever."
My eyes were watering with tears that were overflowing. Yuki made a movement to get up, but a voice stopped him dead in his tracks. "Leeks aren't as bad as all that." A gruff voice said from the doorway.
I turned around quickly barely able to see that it was the boy I thought I had irreparably severed any chances of befriending. "You're not mad Kyo-kun? I am so sorry!"
He smiled slightly even in his agitation. "How can I be mad when we are actually eating something other then bento boxes. Just promise you won't make leek soup every day and I'll be fine."
"I promise to never make anything with leeks ever again." I said solemnly.
"I protest!" Shigure said in horror. "I must have my bride's delicious leek soup again or I will die from heartbreak."
"Shigure's right, Eluned-chan." Yuki seconded, "Not to have your leek soup would be a great catastrophe."
I laughed in amusement. "You two act like it would be the end of the world if you never ate it again. I'll just make something else for Kyo-kun to eat next time."
"It's defiantly more then the stupid cat deserves."
"Shut-up you damn rat!" Kyo yelled, "I was trying to be nice and not start a fight at the dinner table, but I'll make you regret what you just said."
"Oh-no!" I yelped as I ran over to Kyo keeping him separated from Yuki. "Kyo-kun it's so nice of you to try and not fight with Yuki-kun. It makes me so happy! Please come and eat dinner. I have leftovers from dinner last night. I want to get to know you Kyo-kun. You seem like a nice person and let's all resort from fighting at the dinner table."
I smiled as big as I could manage as I grabbed his arm and pulled him over to the table. I heard him say to my back, "You are a very strange girl, but it's definitely amusing watching you try to keep us from fighting. I would say that was impossible till I met you."
I grinned up at his bemused expression at we settled around the table. "I must say you are a strange boy Kyo-kun, but it's definitely amusing watching you fling insults at Yuki-kun."
He smiled slightly and I thought that I was making great headway in making Kyo my friend. He really was gentle at heart almost as much as Yuki was. It really would be interesting to see if I could keep those two from constantly fighting and destroying Shigure's house. I personally didn't think I could stand to listen to Shigure whine about his house anymore if what I saw was one door.
We finished supper in relative good humor and all the furniture was left intact. I was exhausted when I was finally finished cleaning up and I told them that I was going to head up to bed early. It was then that I heard the phone ring. Shigure answered the phone and said hello to Momiji. "Yes, she is here right now. Why?" Shigure's said.
It crashed on me in a wave when I thought that tonight was supposed to be the night when I started my job. I wished then and there that the world would swallow me up whole. I couldn't believe how irresponsible I was. I had forgotten something so vitally important because I was so consumed in my life with the Sohmas's. It was happening again and I was letting it happen with open arms. My escape route had just vanished through my own neglect.
I started crying silent tears. Kyo had seen me and he walked over to me concern in his voice. "Eluned-chan what on earth are you crying about?"
"My job. I forgot I started today." I sobbed my misery.
"It can't be as bad as all that." He soothed as he rubbed my back in comfort. "I am sure they will understand and let you come in tomorrow."
I relaxed a little at his words, but was immediately tense again when Shigure said Momiji wanted to speak with me. "Hello Momiji-kun. I am so sorry." I cried into the phone.
"Eluned-chan don't cry!" Momiji said hysterically, "Its fine. You don't have anything to worry about. I was just worried about you when you didn't show up. I wanted to see how you liked your new job and you weren't there. It okay if you start tomorrow or whenever."
"Thank you Momiji-kun," I said broken, but relieved. "I am so horribly irresponsible and this job is so important to me. You are so good to me Momiji-kun. I don't deserve friends like you. Your too wonderful."
He laughed cheerfully into the phone. "I don't deserve you as a friend Eluned-chan. You are so nice to me and never get annoyed with me like everyone else does. Would you like to play tomorrow Eluned-chan like old times? Pretty please!"
I smiled laughing as well. "I would love to Momiji-kun. We could all go to the park and Yuki-kun and Kyo-kun might go to. It would be so much fun! We could have a picnic! And I promise I will be at work tomorrow night and you can ask me if I like it then."
We wished each other goodnight and I was still smiling. Momiji really did have a wonderful gift of making me happy no matter what. He was a wonderful boy and I was looking forward to tomorrow. The only problem would be me trying to get over the fact that I was so careless. It was inexcusable when I thought about what I was and what I was expected to accomplish in my long life. To forget something as simple as a time could barely be stood. I wished Momiji was here. He was guaranteed to have me smiling and forgetting my worries in no time. I decided that I wouldn't think about it for the rest of tonight and get some sleep.
I wished Shigure goodnight who was fuming because he hadn't been invited to the picnic. I felt horrible that I had forgotten him in my sudden outburst to Momiji about the picnic I was going to have. Kyo spoke before I had a chance, "You don't need to go Shigure. Only young people are allowed and as far as I can tell you are not young."
Shigure was crying big fake tears at Kyo's outburst. "So cruel Kyo-kun. So cruel to deny me the pleasure of my bride's beautiful food and company. I declare I will die of heartbreak and it will be your fault. I suppose this means you'll be going to the picnic."
He looked unsettled at Shigure's words. "Yes it does, I guess. Whatever! I'll see you tomorrow Eluned-chan and please don't bring any leeks."
I grabbed his arm as he walked past me. "Kyo-kun, Thank you for tonight and I hope we'll have a fun time tomorrow."
"You don't need to thank me. I didn't do anything that I need to be thanked for. And for the life of me I don't know why I agreed to go on this stupid picnic." He said it in self disgust.
After finish telling Kyo and Shigure goodnight I headed up to bed. I was in a slightly better mood when I thought about how much fun the picnic was going to be tomorrow. I would get to see Momiji who I hadn't seen since I arrived at Shigure's house. There was also the fact that this would be the perfect time to get to know Kyo better. He had been very nice to me when I was horrified about missing my job. He really was sweet to be so concerned when he barely knew me. It would be fun trying to befriend him. I fell asleep thinking about the picnic.
The next day had us in an ironic twist of fate at the same park that had been such an important part of my life. It was only a few days ago had me crying under a tree in this park. The same park that had brought me to this strange beautiful earth. I had met so many wonderful people in my years here. I also had left many wonderful people behind in my other world, but it was in the past. I would never forget them and I knew deep down I would see all those that I had left behind. I had a few precious memories of my father and Remulin that I held onto with all I had. I had dozens of memories of me and my Okāsan as I grew up. So many beautiful wonderful sad moments that was all just memories now.
My heart had been broken beyond all repair or so I though as of a couple of days ago, but instead here I was laughing at Kyo and Yuki argue with each other about who should get to carry the picnic basket. I felt slightly guilty when I thought about my poor Okāsan just newly laid to rest. I felt I should be mourning instead of acting so carefree, but I knew she wouldn't want that so I steadfastly put on a smile and was soon laughing as we finally reached the park. I solved the incident with the basket by simply walking over the two boys and grabbing it out of there fighting hands. They stopped fighting almost instantaneously and looked at me in confused bewilderment. I just smiled sweetly, "I am perfectly capable of carrying a picnic basket you know. It hardly weighs anything."
Yuki smiled slightly in amusement and Kyo acted like he wanted to run very fast in the opposite direction. "The cat just wants to carry the picnic basket because he thinks he can sneak in some rice balls when you're not looking, but he eats like a pig and there wouldn't be any left."
I watched in bemused fascination at the quick change in features of Kyo. His face formed a look that could kill as he glared at Yuki. Yuki's eyes flashed with challenge and I all in a few seconds stood between the two of them. My hands were on both there chests trying to stop a street brawl. "Eluned-chan" said Yuki too calmly, "step aside. The stupid cat fight wants to lose again."
"That's it's rat-boy! Here and now! Let's finish it." Kyo yelled furious.
"You are so stupid." Yuki said his voice like silk, "but if you insist I never refuse a challenge."
"That's it!" I screech, "If you two don't quit this instant I am going to eat all of the rice balls myself and you to can duke it out for crumbs. Better yet I'll go home and share the rice balls with Shigure. I am sure he knows how to enjoy good food. I'm going now!"
"No!" they both yelled simultaneously there fight forgot at the loss of there major food source.
"Eluned-chan," Yuki said agitated, "I forbid you to be alone with that pervert Shigure, especially just you and food. It's too much of a lethal combination. Shall we continue to the park now?"
I looked at Kyo who muttered something under his breath about kill Shigure, rats and riceballs. "I came on this stupid picnic for riceballs. I'll be damned before I let that flea-bag Shigure eat them."
"You are so sweet Kyo-kun." I said happily, "I glad you like my food so much even though it's not that great. Let's go to the park okay."
I grabbed his arm and pulled him along smiling the whole while. His face relaxed a little bit dazed and he smiled so quickly that if I hadn't been staring at him so intently I would of missed it. I called Yuki to follow us and we finally reached the park.
The two boys flashed each other a look of hatred that wasn't just a rivalry that that been ordained before they were born. The lavender haired boy glared at the orange-haired boy as he glanced down at the slender red-headed girl and smiled slightly. The girl was too busy pulling the boy along to notice the byplay between the boys. It was then that the orange haired boy glanced at the lavender headed boy and smirked knowingly at the look of sadness and barely concealed rage in the others eyes. He then moved closer to the girl and forgot about the boy following forlornly behind.
The lavender hair boy watched as his worst enemy and most beloved person walk away together. He was forgotten and alone like so many times before. The person he never dared hope to see again had completely forgotten him. He still can taste her sweet lips from the following night. He couldn't believe she loved him, but so quickly she forgot him. It hurt so much he wanted to cry, but he continued after them wishing that it was him and not that stupid cat so comfortably holding her hand. He would go to this picnic because to be near her even if she loved someone else was better then not being near her at all.
