My reasons for slow/nearly non-existent updates are posted on my profile- I have such updates there. I shall warn you that this chapter isn't written as well as I'd like it to be, and the last bit of it was written with a pounding, angry migraine. So I think it's pretty good given the circumstances... Thank you for reading, please favourite, and REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW! ^_^
-Makitog

Change of Fate: Chapter 10
-The Cat-

Tohru walked through the hallway towards the student phone at the end, her pace brisk and rather lopsided. She lifted the receiver and dialed the number that Hatori had left; he'd written it on a slip of paper which she pocketed for safety. All she had been looking forward to was seeing the rat and mouse, and only half the goal was completed. She felt like a bad child to be calling him for the reason of only seeing a friend, but when she categorized everything in her mind in a list of importance, she soon out-reasoned what would be logic. She chewed at her lip while listening to the dial tones. A click came to Tohru's ear and before Hatori could complete a syllable she began blurting out her situation. "Kyo-kun is leaving for a trip and he won't be back for a long time and I have to see him, I need to know he's alright and I have to make him remember me before everyone else does and I have to see if he's happy—"

On the other end Tohru couldn't see Hatori holding the phone away from his head, attempting to make sense of her babblings that came with being Tohru. What on earth did she need from him from hearing that? "Honda-san, why are you calling?"

"Oh!" Tohru stopped talking for a moment as she let her shoulders hunch into a regular position, having tensed. She felt her cheeks pinking at his confusion. "I-I would like Hatori-san to drive me to see Kyo-kun," she said in a quiet voice, "If it wouldn't be a problem, of course. I don't want to be trouble for Hatori-san, that would be rude and inconsiderate and— oh, everything Hatori-san has done for me must be—!"

"Be at the front doors in ten minutes," Hatori interrupted calmly as he stood up from his seat. He heard a gasp from Tohru and her many thanks. "You haven't been an inconvenience to me, Honda-san. Look at everything that's happened and in such a short amount of time as well. I wouldn't be helping you if I was terribly busy," he admitted to her. "And I would not be keeping you at my home if I believed that all that you're doing is pointless," the dragon spirit added having imagined her next line. Tohru was an easy person to predict when it came to situations such as asking and negotiating things, yet he found her to be a surprising person at the same time. She never failed to stun anyone with her actions, never failed to impress the unimpressable.

Tohru smiled softly to herself as she coiled her finger around the loops in the phone cord. "Thank you, Hatori-san. I'll be ready." The girl waited for him to say goodbye and she returned his words before hanging up. She let out the heavy air in her lungs before turning on the spot and going to her locker to retrieve her things, the precious cake piece awaiting its first bite.

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Tohru hopped into the front seat of the sleek black car, holding her bag on her lap while the other hand pulled the seat belt across her. Tohru didn't have to look back to know Momiji wasn't with the older male, for his peppy voice would have announced its presence already. She found herself lightly saddened at the silence that usually came with Hatori, although she couldn't help but enjoy it as well. "Thank you again Hatori-san." Within moments the car pulled forward and merged into light streams of traffic. It was still morning, though most people had gone to work or school. It was helpful to be smooth on the roads with less stopping and lane changing. Tohru couldn't help but marvel at how Hatori drove. Her own mother had driven rather recklessly from afar, but when Tohru had been in the car she drove as safely as possible without being 'too boring' she remembered. She could still hear her mother's small complaints. Driving slow isn't fun, even if it is the safest thing to do. But promise me, Tohru-chan, that you will be a safe driver when the time comes, her mother had said. Hatori drove in a happy medium. He drove swiftly and safely. "You didn't bring Momiji-kun?" she finally asked in hopes to make simple conversation.

Hatori gave her a side glance and nodded, trying to keep his eyes on the road. "I told him that it would be best to stay back at my place to keep things on the low key while I'm out. He's told to inform anyone who asks that I am out to see an irritating, supposedly-ill Ayame." He signaled right and turned the corner to a less populated street, driving down it quicker than the last. Cars and delivery trucks passed them every few six seconds.

Tohru looked out her window, watching the buildings they passed. She felt like she'd suddenly caused more confusion for Hatori; it worried her: what if he got caught driving her around and taking care of her? She didn't even want to think of what Akito's course of action would be. "I suppose that sounds believable enough," Tohru said slowly as if unsure of her words. "At least you won't be gone too long, right Hatori-san?" The dojo wasn't too far from Shigure's house, a good twenty minute walk Tohru knew. Driving made things faster, she was glad Hatori had offered her rides and his number in the first place. She eyed the trees that began popping up around the thinning city life.

Hatori's speed increased as the road signs allowed him to. "The drive there is short, however if you're going to see Kyo-kun you will need a ride back. I'm sure you'll spend some time there. I can go back to my office for a while then return to pick you up."

Tohru gave a frown while he spoke. That sounded like too much going back-and-forth, really it did. She felt touched to be accommodated like she was being, but guilty all the rest. Gas cost a lot, and could the busy doctor afford to leave again? "I think I'm alright to walk back to school," Tohru told him as she looked to her lap shamefully. Ah, school! I need to worry about school still! Oh, mom, I'm so sorry!

Hatori could feel her aura darkening, see her shoulders slumping. "I'll call the school and tell them you weren't feeling well, which I'm sure is an appropriate excuse from class. I'll pick you up," he said firmly.

The doctor slowed down and made a left onto a nicely-kept gravel road, spread out pine trees lining both sides that Tohru examined with a smile. The land the dojo stood on was beautiful and well looked after. They soon came up to a small parking space. Only a few cars were parked, each spaced out from each other by a few yards give or take.

"I wish you luck talking to him," Hatori told her sincerely while parking.

Tohru nodded and opened her door. "You don't need to pick me up, I can walk back to school— er, home I guess," her quiet voice said while shutting it quickly. She limped around the car to head to the front doors.

Hatori rolled down his window with a frown. "I'm calling when I'm picking you up," he called, surprised at his tone of authority that was usually only heard by Momiji. Leaving the girl to walk through the way Kyo and Yuki usually came would only lead to more problems he was sure. The terrain wasn't exactly paved. He couldn't help but become surprised at himself in that sudden moment.

Tohru bit her lip and limped around the side along a small path, listening to the sound of Hatori's car starting and then dying off in the background. Her eyes scanned around for anyone. It was populated with nothing but birds and the breeze along the grass, she found, due to the time. The students were in school, like she was supposed to be…

Tohru gasped as she turned a corner, bright fiery orange catching her attention. She felt like a part of her froze while the other melted. The boy she saw alone was standing around a sand punching bag held by a rope to a branch, hitting at it with force. She watched his lithe yet powerful body twist and turn, watched his scrunched up face as he angrily threw punches. She was in awe, but at the same time she admitted she was scared. The way he held himself right now wasn't the normal Kyo she remembered. When he would practice he would focus on getting better, perfecting techniques. This was different; he seemed to be filled with so much hate, so much hostility.

At the sound of sandals against gravel Tohru jumped and opened her mouth to let out a yelp, but found it covered with a hand as she was pulled back behind the corner. She kicked at the body with a muffled scream, although her intentions were pitiful from her ankle. She found herself being taken inside the building now, and once the doors shut the hand left her mouth. She turned with wide eyes to look at—

"Shishou?" Tohru breathed in a shaky voice, watching the man smile softly down at her.

His features were just like she remembered them: calm, wise and now apologetic. He wore his traditional dark grey kimono and smile. He gave a small bow to her. "I'm terribly sorry for being so abrupt with you. That may have been selfish, but I wasn't comfortable with you approaching him just yet."

Tohru leaned on her good foot while looking at him, quickly bowing as well. "Ah, it's alright! I was just surprised, I wasn't expecting to see you so soon and just like that, ahahah…" she trailed off, letting her arm with her bag drop and swing side to side. "He must be training hard right now then, I suppose. I can see him when he's done."

Shishou gave a knowing smile and tilted his head to the side. "Tohru-kun, tha—"

"Wait, you know everything? You remember me?" she blurted with once-again-wide eyes. "Or, did you hear something about me? What happened to your memories? Eh, do you know about that yet? Oh you must, you're close to Kyo-kun and the Sohmas! Why didn't Akito-sama erase your memories? He erased the memories of my friends, too, and people who knew things—"

"Tohru-kun." Shishou placed a hand on her shoulder. "I was blessed to be out of town up until yesterday, when I noticed that some drastic changes had happened when I mentioned you to Kyo-kun. He was completely blank to the name." The man stopped for a moment before letting his lips settle to a loose line. "It seems Akito-sama isn't hunting me down too quickly."

Tohru examined him with round eyes, now holding her bag in front of her. "Oh," she said simply as she bit down on her lip. "Kyo-kun was blank?" She knew that Akito would enjoy hearing her complaints, but this one was hard not to let herself feel; it hurt to know that such a good friend, a close one at that, went blank to your name. "I heard that Kyo-kun was supposed to be leaving today for a trip. I wanted to see Kyo-kun before he left," she explained to him.

The man that held his hands out for her bag gave a slow single nod as she passed it to him. "You're trying to retrieve the clipped memories from the Sohmas." Tohru couldn't contain her spastic nods and bright, although saddened smile. He waited for her nods to cease before speaking again. "Would you care for a cup of tea?"

Tohru shook her head and looked down, respectfully declining. "No thank you. If I could just talk to Kyo-kun, since I don't want Hatori-san to wait around for my call all day and I don't want to take up any of your time, and I need to get back to school. Ano!" She reached forward to grab her bag back, dunking her hand in and fishing around in it. She pulled out the plastic container and showed him its contents. "Kyo-kun's cake is here. I was going to take it to him."

Shishou chuckled lightly at the well decorated cake before he gave a single nod. "The cake is beautiful; it looks like much work was put into it. And I'm sure the strawberries will tug at buried memories. Tohru-kun, if I may, I would like to—"

Tohru turned towards the door and gave a friendly wave. "So I need to go give it to him, maybe he'll remember me sooner if I spend more time with Kyo-kun! Maybe if I cook him all his favorite foods or talk with him he can—"

"I would advise you to be cautious when you're dealing with him, Tohru-kun," Shishou cut in with a light frown. The gesture seemed to add years to his face. The man disliked how he felt so impolite, but formalities didn't always work. "Unlike with the other Sohmas, you must think before acting."

Tohru felt her cheeks heat when she realized how much talking and interrupting they'd been doing. She looked up at him with lightly parted lips, shaking her head. "I'm sorry, I… don't understand. Kyo-kun is just like the others. Everyone should be treated the same, it's the kind and right thing to do, mother always told me."

Shishou gave a soft sigh as he tucked his hands in his kimono sleeves. "I couldn't agree more, though I know there are some people who need a little more love and attention than others. You and I both know how Kyo-kun can be. He plays the part of the tough guy yet he's really just as fragile as you and I, along with the rest of the world. I believe it's a role nearly all cats of the Zodiac have played, one they felt they needed to be to prove to the rest of the world they could handle the ways their gods treated them. I also believe Kyo-kun is one of those who need further love than most."

Tohru was facing the man once again, her two feet together underneath her small body. She knew what Shishou said was too true. "I know Kyo-kun has a big heart and a warm inside. I can sometimes see through the way he talks, how he gets mad when he can't say what he wants. I try to show him how much I care, but sometimes he doesn't let me." She smiled softly, shaking her head. "I know he knows that I love and care for him because of who he truly is, not because I pity him." She felt her eyes tingle at the corners and a small knot form in the pit of her stomach. "He told me he was happy I gave him a chance and believed in him."

Shishou watched as she fought back something, swallowed most of her thoughts and feelings. He moved to place a hand on her shoulder, gently letting a smile slip to his lips. "Anyone can see that you would put his feelings first as you do with anyone else. You've grown so much since moving in with the Sohmas. I would only like to stress the fact in which you need to be careful, tread slowly on this new path. Kyo-kun may be overwhelmed with the sudden rush of emotions he may feel when he speaks to you, and may not even acknowledge them. On the other hand he may feel them and eventually disregard and abandon them. When that happens they are usually buried deep; it would take a while for them to resurface, perhaps more time than we know what to do with." He squeezed her shoulder lightly. "Will you please take my piece of advice?"

Tohru closed her eyes for a moment and let out a heavy sigh. "I promise to be careful. Shishou?"

He stepped back from her and removed his hand. "Thank you, was there anything you needed?"

"No," the young girl said before giving a laugh. "I was just wondering something. You know so much about the Zodiac and the cat especially. I sometimes wonder why Akito-sama hasn't gotten mad at you for knowing things, or helping Kyo-kun out. I know that sounds horrible but it was something Akito-sama would do, and I don't know, I…" she trailed off to hang her head.

"If I wasn't a man to keep silence when it's needed, I would truly be hurting those around me and myself." Shishou's lips mirrored hers as she gave a smile and stepped back to bow.

"Thank you. Is it alright now that I go talk to him?" Tohru asked with an innocent blink. With a curt nod from the man in the dark kimono she whipped around and hugged the container of cake to her chest and went as quickly as she could out the way she came. Into the sunlight she went and a few paces off the path before she stopped.

The young girl watched as Kyo grunted with each punch, his eyebrows knit in frustration. She felt her stomach inflate with butterflies as she took small steps toward him once again before she drew a breath. "Kyo-kun?" The word felt like a drop of cool rain against hot skin; refreshing and calming.

The young man stopped his motions of attack as he turned to look directly at her. His stance changed to a more relaxed one as he studied her. His eyes widened slightly as he looked at her. The sand bag was swinging slowly now. It wasn't until it stopped that Kyo spoke words of his own. He frowned and looked around as if embarrassed before glaring at her. "Who the hell are you?!"

Tohru blinked, taken aback. "Um, I'm Tohru Honda," she said in a shaky voice. Why was she so nervous? "I'm in your class. Ah, I-I made you a cake," she said as she limped over to him holding the container out in front. Kyo stepped back and held his palms up to her, looking at it in confusion.

"Why'd you do that? That's stupid, you don't even know me! Why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be in school?" he asked harshly as he put a finger on the container top to push it back to her.

"Well, eh, yes but… you're supposed to be there too…" She stopped as Kyo gave her a dirty look. "Yuki-kun and Shigure-san got their pieces, so I think you should have yours too. It's only fair and I think you'd really like it, I put a lot of effort into making it and—"

"Damn rat ate your cake? Why?"

"I made everyone a piece," she told him quietly before giving a shrug.

Kyo scrunched his face up in part disgust and part confusion. He looked over her, trying to make sense of it all. This girl jogged something in his head and made it hurt. She was like a brick: she was thrown at him, and now he was dazed and thinking foggy thoughts. She looked dumb, but he had the feeling she was secretly smarter than she let on… There was something else that made his brick-induced foggy head think. Her kindness reminded him of someone else he'd known, but he couldn't place who. "Wait a second, you're Tohru Honda! You were at the house the other day weren't you?" He stepped back from her with wariness. "Why were you there? Who decided you could see anyone in the first place? Do you actually like that rat or something?" he said acidly.

Tohru blushed slightly as she shook her head. "I went there to get strawberries from Yuki-kun's garden to make the cake. My favorite food is strawberries," she added with a side thought. She watched Kyo blink at her before she quickly shoved the cake into his hands. He took it with widening eyes. "And my favorite Zodiac ani—"

She was cut off as Shishou appeared behind them calling their names. The schoolgirl looked at him with a blink; he was staring directly at her now as he held a wooden tray with hot contents. His eyes shone with what Tohru saw as excitement, but she soon realized she'd only caught a glimpse. "I thought the two of you might enjoy a cup of tea," Shishou explained his presence with a smile. He stopped feet away from the two before motioning toward the main hill on the land.

Kyo gave a quizzical look to his master before following him, moving past Tohru and making sure to stay away. His hands with the cake felt like they carried a weight. "Did you let her in here?" he asked, receiving a simple nod. "Why? We're getting ready for a trip, and besides, she doesn't know anything or anyone, she shouldn't be here!"

Shishou continued his walk to the hill. Both youth were following now, Tohru hobbling along quite pitifully. "I'm going to ask you right now, Kyo-kun, that you don't question me," the man answered easily. Kyo gave a huff and cursed before he sat himself down on the hill. Shishou set the tray down beside the male and seated himself crossed legged across the younger one.

Tohru gave a low audible 'ooh' as she reached the top and saw the two. With a motion from Shishou Tohru sat herself down as well, folding her legs under her and placing her hands on her knees. Her eyes looked over the contents of the fragile looking tray: hot steaming tea and biscuits (most likely sore bought unless Kyo made them, Tohru told herself mentally).

Kyo reached over to grab a biscuit and took a huge bite, cake to the side. "Why'd sh— Hey!" he exclaimed through a dry mouthful as Shishou slapped the biscuit out of his hand and back onto the tray. He frowned in confusion.

"Your guest has brought you something," Shishou stated drolly, "I would hope by now that you understand formalities and kindness. It would be an insult not to indulge at this time." He gave a smile to Tohru who looked on in awe.

"Ah, Kyo-kun doesn't need to eat it right now, I mean, he has no utensils and if Kyo-kun wants the biscuit he should eat it especially when he's taken a bite!" she rambled characteristically.

The orange haired boy clenched his fists, sending an annoyed glare at his master. His master had specifically said not to question him, and part of Kyo's brain told him it would be dangerous to do so. He had the utmost respect for the man, but this girl was bringing out a different side to him, one he didn't want anyone to see. He stared in astonishment as he looked to the girl named Tohru. She'd reached into her bag and taken out a fork, gingerly setting it on top of the container. "What the hell!?"

"The house I'm staying is western style, and so we have forks… I'm sorry I didn't bring any chopsticks. I should have thought this through more. I'm sorry." She bowed to the two. She could feel the sudden heat of embarrassment and surprise from Kyo, and she swore she'd heard a faint chuckle from the elder.

"I guess I'll eat it. But you didn't have to go to so much trouble for me, stupid." Tohru beamed as Kyo picked up the fork and opened the container to stab a bite off. He popped it in his mouth and chewed almost violently, staring at the swirls of steam from the hot tea. He slowed his chewing as he tasted the flavors and the faint aroma hit him. Just as he'd felt when Tohru had first talked to him: he couldn't help but feel like the fog had invaded his mind again. There was something different about this girl. It confused him, she made him feel… feel…

"Do you like it?" Tohru asked him while she continued her brilliant and hopeful smile. She waited for Kyo to speak. When she got no answer and only a cat staring into the tea, her smile faded quickly. Her heart in her chest quickened. Was he remembering something? She knew that she and Kyo had been close despite appearances, and she thought it must be possible that something was being jogged, remembered. "Kyo-kun?"

Kyo looked at her suddenly and frowned as if in thought. "You're Tohru Honda!" he exclaimed. He watched as the girl's eyes widened and her smile reappeared. "You're the one everyone else keeps reminding me about! Even Shishou brought you up! What's with you then? Is there something about you I need to know?" he demanded suddenly. All Tohru's wonderful hopes now diminished. "If not you should just go home. There's no use for you being here, y'know!"

Shishou gave a lightly disapproving frown. "Kyo-kun there's no need to act like this."

Kyo stood up and balled his fists. He didn't like this one bit. This girl was disrupting everything. "I don't even know her and she's pissing me off! We're supposed to be getting ready for our trip, not talking with drop-ins!"

Tohru recoiled into herself and looked up at him with an apologetic glance. She'd made him angry…? What had she done? Was she not supposed to be here? "I-I'm sorry," she said quietly. Her mind was whirring away in a small cycle. Kyo was supposed to have lost his memories but kept his feelings towards her… wasn't he?

"We were, yes," Shishou answered Kyo as he stood up himself to stare sternly at the young man. "However after today, I believe I'm changing my mind. We will not leave on our trip and instead stay right where we are." He ignored the abrupt bought of protest from Kyo and held up a hand for silence. "Kyo-kun, you are to get to know this girl. I believe it will be beneficial toward you as a person and may help you focus on your training."

Kyo's anger only amplified as he heard his master's words. "That's not fair! You promised we would be leaving right after school, and we would be going!" he yelled angrily as he took a step forward. He gave a colorful curse when he remembered that he would get no definite answer. He turned to stare at Tohru, eyes narrowed into furious slits. This had been his only change at getting away from everything. "This is your fault! I hate you!"

Tohru paled as she watched the raging male in front of her. "Kyo-kun, I-I didn't… I didn't mean… I…"

Kyo turned away from her and stared at the container of cake on the ground, examining it as if it were a new species of bug— strange, unwanted, and disgusting. He gave it a rough kick, sending it into the air. The cake took a few seconds before landing in a splattered mess amongst the grass, while the container was flung behind the group itself. Kyo turned away from it all and stepped into a run, leaving them behind.

Tohru could feel her throat tightening as tears threatened to appear. Why was he so angry, so hating toward her? It didn't make sense. Had something gone wrong when Hatori erased the memories of the Sohmas? Had he erased everything?