Authors' Notes:
Merry Christmas to you all, and Yoi Otoshi o!!! (which is a Happy New Year)
What good things come for this season!! Like the last part of the Lord of the Rings trilogy!! Okay, if my neesan (yes, my older sister) were reading this, she would surely review about her beloved Leggy....She's got this big crush on the elf prince...
And the much needed vacations..I'm sorry for everyone out there who's still studying. Other school systems don't give long vacations for this time, ne? only a couple of days. In the other hand, I'll start classes at the University until February 2004. Hurray!!!!!! But I still have to work. Ah, if only the office would give longer vacations....
Oh, thanks so much for all of you prettiest people in the world who review and are so kind to help me out. Okay, I got the neesan/niisan difference now. Plus, my sensei also explained me. Thanks to you all.
Wow!! 100 reviews!!! This is the best Christmas present you could give me. Lets answer some questions:
-Gee, you guys are so smart! (or maybe it was just too obvious) but almost everyone already guessed what Akito said!!!! Isn't this just another reason to subtly 'erase him' from the fic?
-R Junkie, hi!!! It's really embarrassing and at the same time flattering for me to have the honor of your reviews. Embarrassing because bad me haven't reviewed yours. I'm sorry, really. Flattering because you're such a nice writer!!! All your stories are just so damn cool! I was nearly crying of laughter with the Mystery theater. About your questions and comments. Well, I know, there is Kyory in this fic. I warned about it at the beginning. But I totally agree with you. Poor Yummy Yuki!!! Our dearest Yuki!!!! I love him in his tragic hero role, though. About his feelings regarding Tohru, he doesn't love her anymore, I guess. He admires her, and deeply respects her, and will also be his first crush, but he knows when to let go of someone who doesn't belong to him. How noble! Oh Yuki, why don't you just choose me!!! -err, sorry about that- And Yuki calls Kagura -san because since his memory is supposedly gone, he can't barely remember her as a child. He prefers to call her that in order to show everyone he keeps his distance. The same with Haru, is a way to letting people know he's not familiar with them. Okay, that's my pure invention, you don't have to agree. And I'm not ignoring you!! I don't live in Australia, never been there either. Are you from Australia? Must be a great place! I'd like to tell you where I'm from, but most people I tell them don't even know that my country exists. Bad geography classes, I suppose. But I'm from Central America, we speak Spanish here.
-Karta, thanks for welcoming me to your dance classes! Oh, thanks for the vote of confidence there with the English thing. I'm happy!!
-Hi, Haruka! I love it when you review, since you give me long ones. Thanks for taking guesses (is that a correct expression?), and for your support. Yes, Tohru is a bit OOC, but you explained it so well!! Now that she chose, she has definitely changed, even a bit. No, you didn't lose me, don't worry! Ha! So you like the whole violence and blood! You should read Gundam Wing fics then.
-Yuki-lover: yes, Hanajima can be pretty cool!! I tend to speak like that when I'm serious too. I whole heartily agree: Yuki is so sexy!!
-Tanuki-jochan: Hi, Lupis, how are you doing? Cold there in the USA? How was your Christmas? Miss you here. You found me a dictionary!!!!???? I love you!!!!! Next chapter dedicated to you!!!!!!
And thanks to everyone else who reviewed, giving air to my lungs.
Ah, yes, the fic. Here we go..
Matte! Only a small sample to entice your curiosity. Just exactly who is going to be fighting in this chapter? Want to take a guess? Have you already come up with some possibilities? Wanna know beforehand?
Well, obviously, my dearest Yuki and my dearest Kyou!!!
How come???!!!!!
Read and find out:
"Make a Wish"
By Shinigami's Voice
Part Ten: Fighting A Forced Battle
It was early in the morning as the writer sat in front of his computer, keying sequentially. There were some papers laying messily around him, data or some potential source of inspiration for his latest work: Essay on Japanese Literature based on the Tale of Genji book and so on.
Shigure sighed as he halted on the typing. He gave a quick glance over to the unfinished material and then turned the machine off.
He had more important matters to attend!
What could be best?
Call his editor, torture the poor, sweet Mit-chan?
Call Aya!! Ask about Yuki-kun, especially. But then again, Ayame, despite all his efforts and good intentions, wasn't much well informed about how things were really doing in the Main House.
So...last but not least, call Ha-san! The Dragon was indeed his best source of information.
'Besides, Ha-san still owes me an explanation. It's been quite a while and I haven't been able to convince him to be truthful with me. Who would have thought Ha-san would be this stubborn? I keep telling him I know for sure that Yuki can remember us, but he still says he erased his memory...Lets give it another try.......'
The phone was held up and a number was dialed.
"Moshi?"
"Ah, Ha-san!! What a fortuitous coincidence, you're exactly the one I needed to talk to" -the Inu greeted.
In the Main House, Hatori suppressed a sigh. It was way too early to be dealing with this.
"No wonder. This is my clinic's number, after all" -the dragon replied in his serious voice.
"Sou, sou. How's everything in there?" -the writer asked in his cheerful tone.
"Same as usual. You always ask the same thing" -Hatori answered with no apparent emotion.
"Well, of course, Ha-san, what else would you have me to ask?" -Shigure played with the words in order to see if he could extract something from his stoic friend.
Hatori knew well this game. He knew that eventually, he would end up losing, whether due to the Dog's tenacity, or the slight regret he felt for deceiving even Ayame and Shigure.
They could be quite a burden, annoying most of the time, irritating some others, even embarrassing when they started their flirting, but ...there was an all life friendship in between.
And Hatori knew this one matter was not to be taken lightly. Ayame was, after all, Yuki's brother. There had been a time when the Hebi wouldn't care less of what happened to his lavender-eyed sibling, but it was different now. Surely, Ayame deserved to know the truth, even if it didn't make much difference in how things stood between them. The problem was, the designer being so talkative, and careless in all honesty, that surely it would slip his lips from one moment to another.
Shigure also played an important part, being Yuki's guardian during those last years. The novelist, for all his sloppy, perverted and jester act, had probably become the closest relative to both Yuki and Kyou. The doctor doubted any of them had the most minimal interest in emulating the Dog, but he also hoped that both neko and nezumi were wise enough to see under the Inu's cheeky exterior and understand how intelligent Shigure could be.
"Ha-san~!" -the other voice sang through the phone line- "You didn't fall asleep on me, did you?"
Ah, yes, speaking of the devil.....
"I'm busy now. Call later" -the Ryu tried and put an end to this conversation.
"Ne, Ha-san, I highly doubt there are any patients now" -Shigure said, but then his voice became serious- "Is Yuki in there? What happened?"
"No, he's not. He's in his room" -the doctor assured.
"Tell me he's doing fine and I'll leave you alone" -the Dog proposed.
"He is-...."
Silence for some seconds.
"Akito went to see him again two nights ago. You know how those visits end" -Hatori opted for true words- "I went to see him the morning after and treated him. Nothing broken, just a swollen wrist. Painful, but not dangerous. More cuts, and some breathing irregularities, but he's on medications. What else do you want to know?" -the man finished his medical report.
"Does he miss us?" -the Inu asked in a perfect calm voice.
"He doesn't remember you" -for the hundredth time, Hatori said.
"That's not true, Ha-san. The way Haru-kun explained everything to us was just so perfectly logical. Way too much. It seemed planned, as if he was reciting it from a script. And we all know that Haru-kun would do anything if Yuki-kun requested it...."
"Shigure, once again, it's almost impossible for someone under hypnotism to be able to recuperate their memories..."
"Ah, but Ha-san, you just said it. 'Almost impossible', ne? It is possible then. If I recall correctly, you once failed in erasing Momiji's memory"
"Because he refused" -the doctor replied- "Even during the hypnotism session he kept repeating that he would not forget. That he didn't want to forget. His mother's memories were too precious to him. There's so much I can do when the person focuses all their will in fighting me"
"See? See?" -the novelist exclaimed happily- "There's a chance I'm right!"
"If you say so"
"Of course I say so! Moreover, I'm willing to prove my point! I'm in my way there"
"Shigure" -the cursed Dragon scowled- "Akito's been restless lately. It's difficult to keep him confined to his room, he wanders around the halls instead of his usual meditation on the porch. He has tried to convince me to let him see Yuki again. I've managed to avoid it. I don't want them alone in the same room anymore. It may seem Akito is planning something. If you come along...."
"Hatori, it pains me to say this, but Akito has never raised a hand against me..."
Shigure's voice did sound pained. Saying that was like reminding the doctor just how much Kana and himself had suffered in the Master's hands.
It took Hatori a full minute to answer.
"That's right"
"Ha-san" -the Inu's voice was soft and compassionate- "You need to rest, and you need some distraction too. I'm sorry I can't provide you those, but the least I can do is be there, ne? I'm not much help, and I always end up annoying you but, isn't that better than nothing?"
Since the writer was on the other side of the phone line and no one was looking, Hatori granted himself the luxury to smile.
"I suppose so" -he replied, his serious voice not giving away anything.
"Well then, see you in a matter of minutes!!"
"And how are you planning to be here in a matter of minutes?" -the Doctor asked with the slightest tint of irony, being Hatori the one who drove Shigure around.
"Hai, hai" -the novelist giggled- "Could you send someone to pick me up then?"
Hatori shook his head in a reproving manner, but said: "You really are a bother. I'll send someone"
Shigure walked out of his studio and went upstairs to retrieve a coat. They were about to enter summer but the wind was still chilling.
'What is Akito after this time? Ha-san's words don't make much sense. I know for sure that Akito's condition has worsened lately, he's even paler and skinnier than before. Why the sudden wandering and activity? Well, Yuki is there after all, that alone is reason for him to be leaving his chambers more frequently.....'
The Sohma writer was so deep in thought the moment he went down the stairs, that he failed to notice the other two occupants of the house already sitting at the table.
"Shigure-san, breakfast is served" -Tohru called the man's attention when the Inu walked by.
"Ah, Tohru-kun! Ohayo..hmmm, what a succulent masterpiece!" -he sat down on his usual spot, chopsticks already in hand.
"Going somewhere, Shigure?" -Kyou asked, noticing his older cousin's attire.
"Ohayo, Kyou-kun" -the man eyed the red-haired a bit awed. Not everyday the neko called him by his first name instead of the usual 'stupid dog'- "Uh. Ha-san asked me out in a date!" -the dark-haired man offered as an explanation, taking the opportunity to involve the absent Hatori in his jokes.
The neko snorted and the girl smiled, both knowing this was Shigure's way to start the morning.
No one added anything, though, and the breakfast continued in silent until Kyou decided to speak.
"To the Main House then"
"Just a quick visit" -the novelist slurped the last bit of miso.
"Ah, Shigure-san, Kyou-kun and I...don't have school today....maybe we...." -Tohru said nervously.
Both Sohmas turned their eyes on her.
The girl reddened immediately- "Gomen! I didn't mean to be so rude! It's not my place to be making such decisions! I just thought, I mean, if we could only....it's been so long...."
"Oi, don't be embarrassed" -Kyou said, offering a small quirk of his lips to the girl- "We're going along, Inu. We don't have anything else to do anyway"
"Eto...Kyou-kun, maybe that isn't such a good idea" -Shigure replied, putting the chopsticks down.
The incoming sound of a car cut off the conversation. A dark automobile parked outside, driver waiting.
"We'll pick this up when we come back" -the red-haired teen said to the girl, and she nodded.
Both youngsters left the table, Kyou to get his jacket and Tohru to close all doors.
Shigure sighed resignedly.
"Why no one ever listen to me?"
****
The doctor checked some papers while making his way to the Master's chambers. A cigarette was welcomed, but the Ryu knew that it wasn't convenient to be smoking when close to the Family's head.
Not that it would be such a big difference, since Akito's health was in a deplorable state. It really was a paradox, that the man's condition was worse but at the same time he seemed to have renewed forces. Or maybe the last reserves were being consumed.
Hatori halted.
He turned his head to the right, where the corner of his eye had caught a glimpse of a crimson robe decorated in dark leaves.
Akito was standing in front of Yuki's room.
Before the Dragon could say something, the Master turned to him.
"He is not in his room. Tell me, Hatori, why isn't Yuki in his room?"
It was obvious that the Master had already been inside.
"While some rest and limited exertion are recommended in Yuki's current state, it's not healthy to have him completely enclosed. Since his return to the Main house he has been confined whether to his room or your chambers, and I deemed necessary to give him some respite. I had Hatsuharu and Kagura to take him to the east yard and practice during the morning" -Hatori explained.
He didn't add the fact that with that, he also ensured that the nezumi wouldn't be alone, at least during some hours.
"Practice?" -Akito pondered the word.
"Hai. Some katas. The three of them have been Kazuma's students, after all"
It had been the first thing to come to Hatori's mind that morning when he met the Cow and the Boar in their way to the nezumi's room. Besides, he could tell Yuki was tired of being locked up inside those four walls, and tired of the flowing robes he was forced to wear. The three teens had changed into some more comfortable hakamas and gis destined for kendo practice and looked for an open place in the east gardens.
"I see" -the Master replied wistfully. His lips curved and his dark eyes shimmered- "I'd like to see Yuki's katas. He has always possessed such capturing gracefulness...."
*****
"What are the wood boards for, Haru?" -Yuki asked, seeing his younger cousin carrying five of those.
Kagura stood beside him, both watching as the cursed Oushi lined three of the boards. They were clad in white hakama-gi attire, and the Sohma girl had her hair encased in a high ponytail.
"I want to show Yuki how strong I've become" -Hatsuharu replied, as he stepped back and placed himself in front of the boards. The teen went silent, studying the objects in front of his gray eyes, and then acquired a kendo attack position, his right hand connecting firmly against the wood barriers.
Two of them were cracked from top to bottom.
"You've certainly been practicing" -the mouse observed, and the comment gained him a full smile from the cow.
Yuki rolled his eyes. Haru was always happy to obtain his approvation and attention.
"Haru-chan, I want to try that too!" -Kagura exclaimed, and she started to line up the two remaining boards with the one being left.
"Shouldn't you try first with only one?" -the white and black haired Sohma proposed.
But the Boar girl didn't listen, and mimicked Haru's position.
"Shishou said to concentrate" -she spoke while studying her target- "To put all the strength in this blow" -she went on in her sweet voice- "And to hit with all the heart...so here I COME!!!!!" -her voice reached a definitely aggressive tone as her fist hit with all her might, and the three boards were completely split in two, the wrecks falling to the ground.
She looked down, smiling at her success, and started jumping in glee.
"Yatta! Yatta! I did it!!"
Behind her, both young Sohmas blinked in astonishment.
"Hm. Somehow, I feel sorry for whoever used to be her sparring partner" -Haru commented in his flat tone.
"Yun-chan, your turn!" -Kagura turned and addressed her younger cousin.
"Iie" -the Cow interrupted- "Yuki's hand is hurt. He shouldn't be using it yet"
"It's not really that bad, Haru" -the nezumi argued, looking down to his bandaged wrist.
"Hatori told Yuki to be careful with it" -the Oushi replied stubbornly- "And it's my duty to look after you. But, if Yuki wasn't injured, I'd like to have a little encounter with him"
Yuki's glance grew confused.
"Fight me?"
Hatsuharu was the last person he would have expected to consider a source of threat.
A lazy but slightly sly smile tugged at the rocker teenager's lips, as the Oushi's dark eyes ran up and down the nezumi's body, who was standing beside one of the scattered plum trees of the garden.
"Hai. Not a real serious one. Just for a little physical contact, you know"
Yuki snorted in mild amusement.
"Don't you start with that, Haru" -he chided, understanding the hidden innuendo.
It got Yuki thinking, though, that his younger cousin had refrained from his usual flirting during the last days. Probably Haru understood the mouse had been immersed in a turmoil of thoughts and emotions, that along with the abuse and his respiratory problems, had weakened him considerably.
But now, it seemed the white and black haired Sohma was attempting to bring Yuki some sense of normalcy back.
If only that was possible.
"Start what?" -Haru played innocent. His calm expression helped him with that- "I mean, I know I must train harder if I want to defy Yuki to a combat. Yuki's very skillful in martial arts"
"It's really been a while since I've had a sparring combat" -the nezumi mused.
That wasn't entirely true, since he fought in a regular basis with the neko back at Shigure's. But then again, they had never really had a serious encounter. Of course, he couldn't say that out loud. If he recalled correctly, his Shishou, Kazuma, had been the last opponent he had faced, and that had been just before his moving into the Inu's house.
"I fought Shishou last month" -Kagura declared, then pouted- "Shishou won, but the dojo's left wall was all crumbled by the end. I don't know who could have possibly done that"
Haru and Yuki exchanged glances. Their older cousin could be pretty dangerous.
'But' -Yuki thought- 'I feel a new closeness with my family, that I haven't felt before. I used to be...so enclosed in myself. I barely took notice of them. Being here, as horrible as it is, has given me a new perspective. Not only when it comes to Haru or Kagura, also Hatori. Even if he can't really ....save me...he tries so hard. God, even niisan and all his eccentricities. It's a pity I can't see much of Momiji around. It's probably for the best, though, he should be as far from this house as possible. It's also a good thing Kisa and Hiro don't spend much time here. All this, makes me realize how-selfish I was, I am, refusing to look past my own nose, how I refused to acknowledge people. I just....pushed them away, without stopping to think how things looked like from the other's point of view. It makes me realize Shigure wasn't that bad, after all..okay, he was also pretty eccentric, but behind all that...even Kyou...I couldn't see other thing but my jealousy...'
"Yun-chan, are you listening to me?" -Kagura called, her eyes those big chestnut ones that gave her an innocent air that was completely gone whenever she phased into her mighty boar-ish self.
It seemed that, while he had been lost in thought, Kagura had started doing some katas.
"Uh? Hai" -the dark-haired teen nodded.
"This, is the Sen Te, Thousand Hands" -the female Sohma swiftly raised her left arm, the right one doing a blocking motion with her upturned palm. She altered the position again- "And this one is the Sensoo Meditation, War Meditation" -she lowered, standing only on the tip of her feet, hands together in front of her face- "Then, is th-"
"Kiku doosa, Chrysanthemum movement " -Yuki continued for her, as Kagura adopted the next kata position- "All of them from the Nakao shuhoo (style), ne?"
"Hai" -she nodded, smiling happily- "Yun-chan is very intelligent! He already knows all that!!
"Hey" -Haru complained, half seriously, half jokingly, seeing the boar girl appraising Yuki, invading his territory, as the Cow's mind put it.
Yuki smiled, a small gesture, but it was there.
It felt refreshing, to be able to have these few minutes of fake liberty.
And as they continued talking, the presence of the recently arrived people went unnoticed. They were standing there at the porch, silently observing the three Sohmas outside.
"What happened to Yuki-kun's hand?" -Tohru wondered in a small voice, taking note of the bandages.
Kyou kept silent. There in the yard were Kagura, Haru and Yuki. They were just talking, and the nezumi, while still pale and tired-looking, seemed a bit better than that night..
That night...when he saw that monster of Akito...treating the other teen like that...
When he understood the reason why the mouse had returned willingly.....
When he heard, from the cursed nezumi himself, what Yuki's mother thought of him....
[ Her second child.....destroyed her......]
[I heard them say...she wished I'd die.....]
Kagura's soft giggles captured Kyou's attention. He saw her smiling beside both Cow and Mouse.
She looked fine.
Kyou had been a bit....not really worried! Gee, he wasn't worried! Who dares to insinuate the contrary?!
Just a bit..unsure, of what to think, how to act around her. He hadn't seen her that much lately. He didn't know what he would do if Kagura happened to be sad, if he saw heartbreak and distress in her eyes.
Sometimes, few ones, he wished he hadn't been so cruel to her. But, if he had been nice, he would have only encouraged her.
Besides, -
"Kyou-kun! Tohru-kun!"
Kagura's happy cry interrupted everyone, as she made a quick dash towards the three incomers.
Shigure very calmly stepped aside, in order to avoid the rampaging girl.
Haru frowned, finally discovering the Inu, the Cat and the Honda girl standing there.
Yuki's eyes widened.
What were they doing there?
Kyou, acting on instinct and out of habit, prepared himself for flight, but before he could move, Kagura stopped abruptly, and limited herself to envelope Tohru in a big hug.
"Tohru-kun! I'm happy to see you!"
"Thanks, Kagura-chan!" -the girl's eyes shimmered with happiness. It had been one of her dreams to befriend with the boar of the Juunishi.
"Ah, what a lovely scene" -the Inu exclaimed.
"I'm also happy to see Shi-chan" -the female Sohma released Tohru, and turned to greet the older man with a small bow.
Kyou stood very still when he saw the girl turning towards him.
Kagura smiled prettily, and giving a step forward, she hugged Kyou briefly, just a couple of seconds, then stepped back.
"And I'm happy to see Kyou-kun" -she said simply, and then ran back to the yard, where the Oushi and Nezumi stood.
Tohru, despite her best efforts to seem happy and smile, just like he had promised Kyou, couldn't help the shadow of sadness cloud her eyes as she watched Yuki-kun, standing there so close, but also so far from them.
Unreachable.
Not Haru or Yuki gave a step forward.
"Shigure-sensei" -Haru gave a slight nod, then his glance went upon the red- head- "Kyou"
"Shigure-san" -the purple-eyed youngster bowed in respect, his expression going serious and indifferent.
He didn't even greet the Cat. He didn't speak to Honda-san either.
Shall the masquerade begin. Shall the actors come into play.
"Ah, Yuki-kun, it's also nice to see you" -the Inu smiled, and even if his voice was light and innocent, his dark eyes stared directly into the amethyst ones, trying to discover the most minimal fault in the teen's deception.
But Yuki held the gaze firmly, not giving any ground, not showing anything.
"Are you looking for Ayame-niisan?" -Kagura asked.
"Iie, iie" -Shigure shook his head- "As much as I'd love to have some minutes with Aya, we've come here for...different reasons....."
Inwardly, Yuki cringed at the suspiciousness of the Dog's voice.
Did they know?
His purplish eyes fixed on the red ones of his feline cousin, silently asking.
Did you tell them?
Did you?!
Kyou read the silent questions immediately. A part of him felt insulted.
'K'so! Didn't I promise you I wouldn't say anything? What's with you, damn mouse?!'
That part of him was in the verge to start yelling at Yuki. The other part of him couldn't take out of his mind the image of his cousin lying on the tatami of that room, frail and scared.
The last one won over, and Kyou simply gave a curt shook of his head, and then averted his eyes.
"What reasons?" -Haru asked.
The Inu smiled mischievously, then stated:
"I've come to see Ha-san!!"
"Oh, we saw Hatori-niisan early this morning" -Kagura informed- "Hatori- niisan went into his clinic after that"
"No matter" -Shigure said- "I'll make sure to take poor Ha-san out of that clinic now. He's been pretty busy, I've heard. I also heard he's been looking after Yuki-kun....."
The young man shrugged, dismissing the matter.
"Nothing serious"
"But, Yuki-kun, your hand..." -Tohru suddenly said, taking some steps forward, but not climbing down the couple of stairs that separated the tatami of the garden's ground.
All eyes focused on her, and she bit her lower lip, remembering she wasn't supposed to address Yuki as if they knew each other.
Some seconds later, all eyes went on Yuki.
The teen furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, gave Haru a sidelong glance, then returned his attention to the 'unknown' girl.
"Sumimasen" -he murmured- "I don't think I know you. Demo, thanks for your concern. It's really nothing"
"Yun-chan, she's Honda Tohru-kun" -Kagura stepped forward, introducing the only person there not member of the Sohma family to the nezumi- "A classmate in Kyou-kun's school"
And of course, the moment Kagura mentioned the Cat's name, both red and purple eyed teens had to exchange glances.
And they both had to pretend to be offended by each other's presence.
But a new voice interrupted.
"Isn't this a singular scene? The Cat.........What is the Cat doing in my house?"
Akito was there.
****
Everyone fell silent, glances directed towards the Sohma Master.
Akito studied the unusual scene, dark eyes hard and suspicious to find not only the infamous Cat but also that girl, that Honda girl there, standing there as if they had all the rights to be in his house, and what was worse, to be standing in front of his Yuki!!!!
"Well? Can you not talk?" -the man mocked.
"Ah, Akito-san" -Shigure was the first one to react, as he bowed to the Master- "I can see you're feeling better. We've been worried, since Hatori...."
"Hatori has always been an alarmist. Isn't that so, Hatori?" -Akito replied indifferently, addressing the person who was standing slightly behind him.
The dragon gave two steps forward, coming into view for everyone.
"My recommendations are always based in what's best for your health" -the doctor replied nonchalant.
Still, the Ryu's eyes glared with mild anger at Shigure.
He had warned the Inu about Akito's wandering, and in top of everything else, had the Dog to bring along Kyou and Tohru? Akito was going to give them hell for this.
Shigure lowered his eyes. He should have foreseen this. But there was nothing they could do now.
Yuki clenched his hands. This was horrible. Why had they come?
"Ah, Akito-san, it's so nice to see you" -Tohru bowed, respectfully but nervously, feeling the tension in the air. She remained in her bent position, awaiting the master's reply.
"Honda Tohru-kun" -Akito said her name with coldness in his voice, halting for some seconds until the girl's eyes finally looked up at him. Then, he frowned- "Who gave you permission to come into my house again?"
Everyone present could see the Head Clan was angry, and planning not to let this 'intrusion' go without someone getting punished.
The nezumi tried to speak up, but what could he say? Anything he tried to do now on behalf of the girl would only result on giving away the deceiving.
"Ah! Eto..Gomen, Akito-san. It was so rude from me" -she mumbled, fearful of the evident hatred the man held towards her.
"Indeed" -Akito continued- "Are you not satisfied with my permission of living in Shigure's house? Do you want more? Don't you have enough, you, a mere simple girl who is nothing compared to us the Sohmas!? I never want to see you here, do you hear me?! And you better obey me, if you don't I'll-"
Eyes of fire glaring furiously, Kyou stepped in front of Tohru, clearly protecting her. He stood there, guarding the girl behind him and facing the master.
Akito's eyes grew wide in surprise, but soon the awe turned in mockery, as the man smiled.
"Ah, yes, we can't forget the Cat is here too" -the Master gave a step forward, but Kyou didn't move- "You certainly have a lot of nerve, coming in here, you filthy Cat. You, such a horrible cursed creature, should better keep your distance"
Kyou wasn't sure what was going to happen, but he wasn't moving and letting that bastard touch Tohru. If it were any other person, he would have already lunged and attacked, but now that he was face to face with Akito, he could feel it. He could feel that aura that emanated from him, a dark threatening one, even if the man's body seemed weak and skinny. There was a hidden force within him, Kyou could almost see it, and he understood that it was all part of the curse. The Master of the Juunishi carried the weigh of all their curses, but also possessed such unnatural strength.
"Oh, please, Akito-san, please, don't get mad. Kyou-kun was about to leave. Please, Akito-san.." -Kagura pleaded.
Akito gave her a disgusted glance.
"Did someone tell you to speak? No one did!" -the man thundered.
Kagura flinched and retreated.
"It was all my fault, Akito-san" -Shigure took a step ahead- "I planned on a simple visit to the Main House, and brought them without your permission. It's hardly anyone's else fault. They will leave immediately and-"
Akito shook his head, dark locks of hair swaying, and with a wave of his hand silenced the Inu.
"No. No. They are already here, aren't they? They can't leave so soon" -the Master's eyes returned to face Kyou- "Since you want to be here so badly, arrangements could be made. Even for a monster like you, Cat. I, being so generous, could receive you here, in my house. I could order a room be prepared for you" -the man smirked with cruel satisfaction- "There's even a window in that room, a window with bars"
Tohru gasped, horrified. Tears started streaming down her face.
Kyuo growled low. The fate of all cats, be locked up until their death.
His Shishou's grandfather had been cursed with the Cat's spirit. And he had died inside those four walls.
In the garden, Yuki swallowed thickly.
He had accomplished nothing, then.
All he had done to protect Honda-san and the neko hadn't meant anything.
The baka neko!!! Why had he come? Didn't he understand how precarious his situation stood?
If he could only say something. But until then he hadn't understood his lies also had terrible consequences. Having his memory erased also meant that he couldn't possible remember the pact Akito and Yuki had made. There was no way now to stop Akito, to remind him that they had made a deal.
At least he couldn't.
"Akito, I thought we had all agreed Kyou was to stay outside the compound" -Hatori's spoke calmly, like if saying those words wasn't the same thing as defying the Master's orders.
"We did? When?" -Akito replied in a smug voice.
"When you also agreed that Honda Tohru-kun had permission to live at Shigure's" -the doctor replied evenly.
The Master's eyes shone with suppressed anger. Hatori wasn't going to take this from him.
"I don't remember. And you don't remember either, Hatori. You better don't say another word" -he threatened, already knowing the Ryu was well aware how true his threats were.
Kyou looked from Master to Doctor, understanding the dangerous position Hatori was placing himself in for the neko' sake.
He had never shown any appreciation for the doctor, but he wasn't about to let someone else be harmed because of him.
"I know who I am. I know the curse I carry" -Kyou spoke, tone visibly angered, as he addressed the Sohma Master- "And I won't let you take it out on anyone else. It's me you have a problem with"
Akito gave him a mild surprised, mild awed look, then laughed softly. A mocking sound.
"What a stupid cat" -he said- "It's not courage but foolishness what inspires you. You are surely stupid to be defying me so openly. Because even if you're not one of us properly, I'm still your Master, and I decide what to do with you. Your stupidity is remarkable...isn't the neko a fool, Yuki? Doesn't he deserve a punishment?"
The nezumi found himself target of all glances, all expecting him to play his part. His purple eyes regarded Kyou.
Suddenly, he had Kyou's fate in his hands.
Yuki's eyes were supremely cold.
"The Cat shouldn't be here, that's for certain. He's an outcast and should know better than to enter this house" -the teen stated in his level, arrogant voice. As he spoke, he could see Tohru's eyes, bright with tears and worry, as she stood behind his feline cousin- "All cats have always subdued to their destiny. I don't see why this one has to be different..." -Yuki observed how Kyou's red eyes grew wide in surprise when he heard his words. The nezumi also knew that everyone else was shocked to hear him. Especially Hatori and Haru, the ones aware of the whole façade thing. The gray-haired youngster continued- "....if he can't prove he's fit to belong to this family, then he doesn't deserve his freedom. If in a fight he can't prove he's worthy, then it's only fair the Master decides....."
"A fight? Ah, yes. Like the tradition, isn't it?" -Akito sat down on the porch, his red robe pooling around him- "If the cat can't win against the mouse, then he will be locked. If he does, then he can go free. Interesting"
Tohru wringed her hands together.
A fight?
Between Kyou-kun and Yuki-kun?
Demo...
Fighting was wrong. You never achieved anything. Fighting only caused more sadness and hatred.
She didn't want them to fight.
Yuki-kun was injured.
But....but Kyou-kun's freedom depended on it. If his Kyou-kun didn't win....
More tears fell from her eyes.
Shigure opened his mouth, but then closed it. He just didn't know what to say. For a moment it seemed Kyou's fate was decided, and now this. Still, the cat even with his training had never been able to win over the other teen. What was going to happen? If Akito ended up locking the red-haired teen, the Inu would never forgive himself.
Haru and Kagura were also silent, watching the situation unfold. The boar girl was torn between trying to save Kyou-kun, and trying to help Yun-chan. If Yun-chan only remembered that all this had started because the nezumi himself had wanted to protect the neko and Tohru-kun. Haru, on his part, didn't know what was Yuki doing. A fight, now? What was Yuki trying to....
The Oushi's eyes lit up in realization. Was Yuki planning to-
Only Hatori spoke.
"Akito, that's not a good idea. Yuki can't be using his wrist yet. And you know about his left shoulder. The bandages are still on"
Kyou also knew about the wounds on the other teen's shoulder. He had seen them. And also the swollen wrist. And heard about the whipping. The fiery teen just couldn't picture him going against Yuki right now.
"But Yuki is strong. He can handle it" -Akito dismissed the matter- "Besides, I want to see what the Cat is capable of. It would be wise, to assert what this monster's abilities are. I want to see them fight"
"I don't want to" -Kyou growled.
"Oh, but no one is asking you if you want, Cat. You are going to, because this is the only chance you got to walk out these doors again" -Akito stated, then played another card- "Think about that dumb girl standing behind you, too. This may be her only chance...."
Kyou's hands clenched in fists. He was trapped now.
"You two, come inside. Leave the two of them" -the Master ordered Haru and Kagura.
Reluctantly, both teens complied, and Kyou, swearing under his breath and eyes burning with anger, jumped down to the gardens' ground. Now he stood in front of Yuki.
"It's understandable you don't want to fight. The last time I saw you, neko, you ended up face down on the floor" -Yuki commented with slight contempt in his voice.
Kyou didn't answer. His whole expression denoted confusion. What was the mouse doing?
"Shigure-san, we have to stop this" -Tohru half cried half whispered to the Inu, but the writer only shook his head.
"We can't do anything now" -he murmured back, holding her hand and squeezing softly in an effort to comfort.
Akito gave a small wave of his pale, bony hand, signaling for the encounter to begin.
Both teens stood face to face, few feet separating him. Close enough to murmur and be heard.
"Dammit, what are you doing?" -Kyou whispered, as they did that half bow in greeting.
This was new for both of them. They had never really had a serious combat. More like brawls, all of them provoked by Kyou, but they never did more than throwing some punches and kicks.
What was more, Kyou was the one who attacked, and Yuki would limit himself to knock him out some minutes later.
"Fighting you" -Yuki answered seriously- "This is what you wanted, this is what you get"
And the dark-haired teen went into attack pose, hands in front of him and legs slightly bent, in a position everyone recognized from Kazuma's lessons.
Yuki was serious.
"K'so! Stop the acting crap" -Kyou replied, as he mimicked the pose- "I know you remember! What's this?!"
"The last chance for you and Honda-san to get out of here. Now, Kyou, you're gonna fight me, and you're going to do it with all you got. This one's for real" -Yuki warned, and went onto his cousin.
The nezumi didn't know what else to do to help them.
The moment Akito asked for Yuki's opinion to punish Kyou, his mind had gone blank.
What to do?
How to help them leave?
What could he do in order to stop the Master from imprisoning the cat?
And then he knew. The only thing to do, was prove in front of Akito that Kyou could defeat him. By all means necessary, they had to fight, and Kyou had to win.
They were forced to battle. There was no other choice.
"K'so" -the neko swore as he dodged the incoming blows and kicks. One of them connected against his left side, and he jumped backwards, putting distance between them.
Kyou brought his hands up again, preparing himself for another assault. He saw Yuki's calculating eyes, studying his moves and poses, then the other boy lunged at him again.
Kyou continued cursing under his breath. Damn but the mouse was fast!! Another punch direct on his face, another one on his stomach. Kyou fell to the ground, having his air knocked out of him, and before he could blink twice, Yuki was attacking again.
The neko rolled over himself, and using both feet and hand, jumped back, one, two, three times, coming to a stop beside one of the plum trees, panting and breathing hard.
The mouse had meant what he said. There was no pretending in his movements, he was fighting for real, and Kyou could see it. It was very different from other times. The neko was certain that back then, when they engaged in a brawl, Yuki always went easy on him.
This was completely different.
Kyou had to move faster, his punches had to be stronger, he had to aim to hurt. But the point was....that he couldn't do it.
Kyou kept himself in a defense position, and awaited. He didn't make a move towards the other Sohma, he simply waited, and defended himself.
If things continued like this, Kyou would definitely lose the combat.
****
Yuki's eyes became slits. Why wasn't the baka neko attacking???!! He kept blocking and dodging, but Kyou wasn't even trying to fight back.
Lavender glance met the red one, and almost immediately Kyou lowered his eyes to the ground. Avoiding visual contact.
Yuki knew then, that his cousin didn't have the heart in the battle. That the Cat didn't want to hurt him.
Probably, after seeing him that night of Akito's visit, the night when Kyou saw his wounds and his fear, since his cousin couldn't bring himself to attack, not wanting to cause more damage.
'It's noble from you, Kyou, it really is' -Yuki thought, as he prepared himself one more time. But the glare only intensified- 'However, this is not the time for you to show sympathy. You can't be worrying about me now. It's time for you to lose the kids gloves'
Kyou saw the other teen approach him, he blocked with both arms the high kick, then avoided the incoming fist, but in doing so, he failed to see Yuki's other hand, which slammed solidly against the tree's trunk instead of his face.
He went stiff, knowing that blow had been missed purposely. Now only mere inches separated them.
In that position, Yuki murmured for the feline Sohma to hear.
"What are you waiting for, Kyou? This is not a game. Stop trying to be careful, stop holding yourself back. I am certainly not pulling any punches, and I don't want you to be doing so" -the nezumi's angry eyes gazed directly into Kyou's- "And I don't want you to look at me like that. You're looking at me with pity in your eyes. I don't want your sympathy. Don't treat me like a poor little thing that needs compassion. I know you know I'm hurt, but believe me, that even with these wounds, I can still beat you. And I will if you continue like this. I have always been stronger, and if you don't snap out of it now, you're going to regret it. Think of the consequences, think of Honda-san...."
The dark-haried teen couldn't continue, because Kyou growled and threw a swift kick, forcing Yuki to jump backwards to avoid it.
In a matter of seconds, Kyou lunged after him, his open jacket billowing wildly with each one of his fast movements. He attacked nonstop, aiming for the face, the chest, the stomach, looking for a way to bring his cousin down.
The neko halted for a minute to catch his breath, Yuki some feet away, also breathing rapidly.
Kyou's mind was a mixture of confused thoughts.
Yuki wanted him to fight with all he got.
But he didn't want to.
But if he didn't win, Tohru would be locked in that horrible House.
And he would also follow the fate of all the cursed cats.
Demo....
Yuki was injured...
The mouse was fighting with all his strength, though, it didn't seem the wounds had weakened him that much..
Maybe...maybe .....if he put all his heart in it...maybe he could win....finally win against the nezumi.
Kyou had to win. It wasn't a choice anymore.
From the sidelines, Akito watched in interest.
"Well, finally, the Cat did something. I was starting to believe he had learnt nothing from Kazuma..."
Haru watched with care every movement of his cousins. He had been surprised of Yuki's violent approaches at the beginning. And he also noticed how Kyou was holding back. In the last second things seemed to change. Haru pressed his lips firmly together.
He had the hunch that Yuki was planning all this.
Shigure and Hatori stayed silent and grim, gravely contemplating.
And both Tohru and Kagura had worried expression on their faces.
"Not even once, neko. You haven't been able to connect even once" -Yuki mocked out loud.
"Shut the hell up" -Kyou grunted, and was a bit awed how naturally that sounded.
He hadn't noticed before, but he was angry. He wasn't sure why, but he was angry, and the anger only fueled his energy to fight. Angry for many things, at that bastard of Akito, at the fact that he was cursed, at the rejection all the other cats before him had suffered. And even if he wasn't angry with Yuki at all, the nezumi had become on the target of that feeling.
Kyou dodged another blow, this time grabbing hold of the slender arm and lifting the other teen completely off the floor, intending to mimic a movement his Shishou always used on him to immobilize him.
But in middle air Yuki freed from the other's grasp and jumped high, landing smoothly on his feet some distance ahead. The teen wavered, though, and bent one knee on the ground.
His sight was blurred, Yuki realized, and his throat was burning. His shoulder stung with the crystal wounds, and his wrist was throbbing painfully. Kyou had grabbed him from his hurt arm.
' I had to go on. Just a bit more' -he mused, coming back to his feet, and adopting the attack position again.
Yuki knew the moment the neko realized he was feeling weak, the instant Kyou noticed his pain and distress, the teen would slack off, he would retreat and go back to only defend himself.
And Yuki couldn't have Kyou giving up yet. He had to make Kyou fought harder. He had to show Akito the Cat was worthy. He needed Kyou to go on.
"Akito, Yuki is in no condition to continue this" -Hatori warned the Master, but only the ones standing on the porch could hear.
The Head Clan didn't pay him attention.
He was enjoying every minute of this. Yuki was so beautiful in battle. The concentration in his eyes, the way his hair moved, the altered respiration.
He would never admit it, but Akito's eyes were also on the Cat. The boy was rough, and not as graceful his movements, but there was a rebellious aura around him, his eyes as red as fire, his glance proud but also volatile, and all that made him very attractive.
'Who would win?' -Akito wondered, realizing both boys were very strong.
Still, his preferences were on the mouse, just for him to be able to have the Cat to torture and the opportunity to destroy that awful girl.
The only thing he didn't like, Akito noted, was that each time the Cat aimed closer and closer, and Akito didn't like the idea of any one else but him to touch his precious mouse.
"I'll win, you'll see!" -Kyou said through clenched teeth, continuing his frantic attack.
"Not like this" -Yuki chided, avoiding each blow- "Don't let your anger to consume you. Don't let it manipulate you. You have to manipulate it"
"I know that, dammit!" -Kyou barked, and jumped high, situating himself at the other Sohma's left side, and managing to hit with a high kick the teen's side.
Yuki whirled, feeling the impact of kick, but the quickness of his reflexes allowed him to receive it only with half the strength Kyou had delivered it.
The nezumi retreated some steps, finding his balance again.
Kyou wasn't restraining himself anymore. Good.
It was now.
They had to end this.
"It was about time, Kyou" -he muttered in a low voice- "I was starting to think you were a loss of time, that you were a coward. Honda-san wouldn't need someone who isn't man enough to protect her"
Kyou choked on an insult, not able to voice anything past his lips, and went onto the other teen with everything.
One, two, three, four consecutive blows, but Yuki blocked them all.
Kyou then whirled, lifting his leg high, his foot coming around and crashing against Yuki's arms. The dark-haired teen had put both arms in front of him, crossing them in order to block the kick, but the pain of his wrist was by now unbearable, and his defense failed him.
The kick hit him on the side of his face, and even if it had been at least momentarily stopped, it was still strong enough to sent Yuki to the ground.
The nezumi fell on his knees, his sight going white for a second. His instincts told him to stand up and block again, because Kyou wasn't done. He could feel the air moving around him, signaling for an incoming attack.
Kyou's right arm drew back, seeing the opening to connect a direct punch. It was a rare opportunity and he wasn't going to let it pass.
Yuki rose, trembling with the effort but he did. He saw Kyou in front of him, preparing the next blow. Yuki only had to move his head back in order to avoid it, grab the extended arm and then throw his cousin with a kick or a punch.
It was time to finish this.
Kyou threw the punch, eyes fixed on the nezumi's serious face. The moment his arm shot forward, his instinct told him he had made a mistake. Yuki could easily deflect the blow and took advantage of his guard down. Damn, his Shishou had always told him not to let his guard down, but the Cat always forgot.
The Neko saw everything as if it was in slow motion. In one second Yuki would either dodge or lift his arms to block the punch. In any second now......Kyou was expecting it, but what he saw was Yuki, not lifting his arms, not moving back. He saw Yuki, closing his eyes, and the blow connected directly.
The dark-haired teen practically flew over, thrown back by the force of the punch, hitting against that same plum tree.
Kyou couldn't believe his eyes.
No one in the porch could believe their eyes.
Yuki lied there, coughing, not able to stand up.
The Cat had just defeated the Mouse.
Someone cried in anguish and ran towards the fallen boy.
"Yun-chan!!" -Kagura kneeled beside her younger cousin, gathering him in her arms- "Yun-chan, genki desu ka?! Yun-chan!"
Yuki coughed, hands over his mouth, fingers tainted with red droplets.
Everything was spinning around him.
'The fight is over' -he mused for himself, before losing himself in a dark exhausted place in his mind.
"Kyou-kun, please, no more!" -the boar girl pleaded, looking at the surprised Cat.
Kyou was petrified in the spot.
The hell?!
What had happened?!
He had won....
Tohru also made a motion like if she was going to run towards Yuki, but Shigure held her back, shaking his head with a resigned expression.
Akito, features serious, stood up.
"Enough of this. Don't you dare touch him again" -he hissed, threatening the Cat. He kept silent for a minute, deciding on what to do- "Well done, Cat, you won this time. But only because my Yuki was injured. This mean nothing to me, you hear me? I'll let you go this time. Be grateful for it"
The Master then addressed Hatori.
"Take care of him"
And with that, the man walked for the north halls, disappearing around a corner.
Hatori made his way towards the teen. He hadn't passed out, he was just completely drained of energy. Yuki had surely hurt his wrist again, and there were some traces of blood on his shoulder's bandages. Maybe a reopened wound.
The older Sohma lifted the nezumi in his arms, and with Kagura tailing behind, left the garden and porch and went into an adjacent living room, closing the door behind him.
Kyou was still dumbstruck.
The scene playing again and again in his mind.
He had lost on purpose. He had seen it.
Yuki had-
"You're an animal!!"
Haru's furious voice finally snapped Kyou out of his thoughts. The neko saw the angry eyes of his younger cousin, as the Oushi continued his verbal assault.
"You bastard!! Didn't you see the opening?! He gave you the opening to do that, and you did it! You had to go for the kill, hadn't you?! You had to hit last. How could you?" -Haru trembled in fury- "After all he has given up for you! For us!"
Kyou could only blink, standing there, waiting for Black Haru to come down to the garden and throw himself at him.
But the Oushi simply whirled and left the porch.
Shigure sighed sadly, and Tohru finally gave in to the flow of tears and cried against the older Sohma's arm.
Kyou sat down on the ground, leaning his face against his hands.
This was not the victory he wanted.
To Be Continued....
A/N: Gosh!!!! What a long chapter!!!! Consider it my Christmas present for all you people.
Okay, before some one flames me, I know this was very melodramatic. But, man, it was so interesting and exciting to write!!!
I tried to describe the fight the best I could. There were lot of things I wished I could picture better, but I lacked some words and explanations. If this were in my natal language, I'd made it better.
The names of the kata positions I made them up, okay? The names are on Japanese and have their translations. I saw a kata contest on my Jap classes and couldn't help the inspiration.
Also, the name of the book Shigure was writing an essay on is real. The Tale of Genji is the oldest book in Japanese literature.
And the hakama is the pnat-like part of Japanese attires, the gi is the huge shirt-like piece. The obi the belt that holds the hakama up.
And again, I'm not pairing Kagura and Yuki. But they can be so sweet!!!
Ah, my dearest Yuki! He lost!!! But no matter, it was all for the sake of helping Kyou and Tohru.
I know there isn't much blood, but well, this was the best I could do.
Ideas? Comments? Please no flames!!!!
Reviews, minna-san!!!
Merry Christmas to you all, and Yoi Otoshi o!!! (which is a Happy New Year)
What good things come for this season!! Like the last part of the Lord of the Rings trilogy!! Okay, if my neesan (yes, my older sister) were reading this, she would surely review about her beloved Leggy....She's got this big crush on the elf prince...
And the much needed vacations..I'm sorry for everyone out there who's still studying. Other school systems don't give long vacations for this time, ne? only a couple of days. In the other hand, I'll start classes at the University until February 2004. Hurray!!!!!! But I still have to work. Ah, if only the office would give longer vacations....
Oh, thanks so much for all of you prettiest people in the world who review and are so kind to help me out. Okay, I got the neesan/niisan difference now. Plus, my sensei also explained me. Thanks to you all.
Wow!! 100 reviews!!! This is the best Christmas present you could give me. Lets answer some questions:
-Gee, you guys are so smart! (or maybe it was just too obvious) but almost everyone already guessed what Akito said!!!! Isn't this just another reason to subtly 'erase him' from the fic?
-R Junkie, hi!!! It's really embarrassing and at the same time flattering for me to have the honor of your reviews. Embarrassing because bad me haven't reviewed yours. I'm sorry, really. Flattering because you're such a nice writer!!! All your stories are just so damn cool! I was nearly crying of laughter with the Mystery theater. About your questions and comments. Well, I know, there is Kyory in this fic. I warned about it at the beginning. But I totally agree with you. Poor Yummy Yuki!!! Our dearest Yuki!!!! I love him in his tragic hero role, though. About his feelings regarding Tohru, he doesn't love her anymore, I guess. He admires her, and deeply respects her, and will also be his first crush, but he knows when to let go of someone who doesn't belong to him. How noble! Oh Yuki, why don't you just choose me!!! -err, sorry about that- And Yuki calls Kagura -san because since his memory is supposedly gone, he can't barely remember her as a child. He prefers to call her that in order to show everyone he keeps his distance. The same with Haru, is a way to letting people know he's not familiar with them. Okay, that's my pure invention, you don't have to agree. And I'm not ignoring you!! I don't live in Australia, never been there either. Are you from Australia? Must be a great place! I'd like to tell you where I'm from, but most people I tell them don't even know that my country exists. Bad geography classes, I suppose. But I'm from Central America, we speak Spanish here.
-Karta, thanks for welcoming me to your dance classes! Oh, thanks for the vote of confidence there with the English thing. I'm happy!!
-Hi, Haruka! I love it when you review, since you give me long ones. Thanks for taking guesses (is that a correct expression?), and for your support. Yes, Tohru is a bit OOC, but you explained it so well!! Now that she chose, she has definitely changed, even a bit. No, you didn't lose me, don't worry! Ha! So you like the whole violence and blood! You should read Gundam Wing fics then.
-Yuki-lover: yes, Hanajima can be pretty cool!! I tend to speak like that when I'm serious too. I whole heartily agree: Yuki is so sexy!!
-Tanuki-jochan: Hi, Lupis, how are you doing? Cold there in the USA? How was your Christmas? Miss you here. You found me a dictionary!!!!???? I love you!!!!! Next chapter dedicated to you!!!!!!
And thanks to everyone else who reviewed, giving air to my lungs.
Ah, yes, the fic. Here we go..
Matte! Only a small sample to entice your curiosity. Just exactly who is going to be fighting in this chapter? Want to take a guess? Have you already come up with some possibilities? Wanna know beforehand?
Well, obviously, my dearest Yuki and my dearest Kyou!!!
How come???!!!!!
Read and find out:
"Make a Wish"
By Shinigami's Voice
Part Ten: Fighting A Forced Battle
It was early in the morning as the writer sat in front of his computer, keying sequentially. There were some papers laying messily around him, data or some potential source of inspiration for his latest work: Essay on Japanese Literature based on the Tale of Genji book and so on.
Shigure sighed as he halted on the typing. He gave a quick glance over to the unfinished material and then turned the machine off.
He had more important matters to attend!
What could be best?
Call his editor, torture the poor, sweet Mit-chan?
Call Aya!! Ask about Yuki-kun, especially. But then again, Ayame, despite all his efforts and good intentions, wasn't much well informed about how things were really doing in the Main House.
So...last but not least, call Ha-san! The Dragon was indeed his best source of information.
'Besides, Ha-san still owes me an explanation. It's been quite a while and I haven't been able to convince him to be truthful with me. Who would have thought Ha-san would be this stubborn? I keep telling him I know for sure that Yuki can remember us, but he still says he erased his memory...Lets give it another try.......'
The phone was held up and a number was dialed.
"Moshi?"
"Ah, Ha-san!! What a fortuitous coincidence, you're exactly the one I needed to talk to" -the Inu greeted.
In the Main House, Hatori suppressed a sigh. It was way too early to be dealing with this.
"No wonder. This is my clinic's number, after all" -the dragon replied in his serious voice.
"Sou, sou. How's everything in there?" -the writer asked in his cheerful tone.
"Same as usual. You always ask the same thing" -Hatori answered with no apparent emotion.
"Well, of course, Ha-san, what else would you have me to ask?" -Shigure played with the words in order to see if he could extract something from his stoic friend.
Hatori knew well this game. He knew that eventually, he would end up losing, whether due to the Dog's tenacity, or the slight regret he felt for deceiving even Ayame and Shigure.
They could be quite a burden, annoying most of the time, irritating some others, even embarrassing when they started their flirting, but ...there was an all life friendship in between.
And Hatori knew this one matter was not to be taken lightly. Ayame was, after all, Yuki's brother. There had been a time when the Hebi wouldn't care less of what happened to his lavender-eyed sibling, but it was different now. Surely, Ayame deserved to know the truth, even if it didn't make much difference in how things stood between them. The problem was, the designer being so talkative, and careless in all honesty, that surely it would slip his lips from one moment to another.
Shigure also played an important part, being Yuki's guardian during those last years. The novelist, for all his sloppy, perverted and jester act, had probably become the closest relative to both Yuki and Kyou. The doctor doubted any of them had the most minimal interest in emulating the Dog, but he also hoped that both neko and nezumi were wise enough to see under the Inu's cheeky exterior and understand how intelligent Shigure could be.
"Ha-san~!" -the other voice sang through the phone line- "You didn't fall asleep on me, did you?"
Ah, yes, speaking of the devil.....
"I'm busy now. Call later" -the Ryu tried and put an end to this conversation.
"Ne, Ha-san, I highly doubt there are any patients now" -Shigure said, but then his voice became serious- "Is Yuki in there? What happened?"
"No, he's not. He's in his room" -the doctor assured.
"Tell me he's doing fine and I'll leave you alone" -the Dog proposed.
"He is-...."
Silence for some seconds.
"Akito went to see him again two nights ago. You know how those visits end" -Hatori opted for true words- "I went to see him the morning after and treated him. Nothing broken, just a swollen wrist. Painful, but not dangerous. More cuts, and some breathing irregularities, but he's on medications. What else do you want to know?" -the man finished his medical report.
"Does he miss us?" -the Inu asked in a perfect calm voice.
"He doesn't remember you" -for the hundredth time, Hatori said.
"That's not true, Ha-san. The way Haru-kun explained everything to us was just so perfectly logical. Way too much. It seemed planned, as if he was reciting it from a script. And we all know that Haru-kun would do anything if Yuki-kun requested it...."
"Shigure, once again, it's almost impossible for someone under hypnotism to be able to recuperate their memories..."
"Ah, but Ha-san, you just said it. 'Almost impossible', ne? It is possible then. If I recall correctly, you once failed in erasing Momiji's memory"
"Because he refused" -the doctor replied- "Even during the hypnotism session he kept repeating that he would not forget. That he didn't want to forget. His mother's memories were too precious to him. There's so much I can do when the person focuses all their will in fighting me"
"See? See?" -the novelist exclaimed happily- "There's a chance I'm right!"
"If you say so"
"Of course I say so! Moreover, I'm willing to prove my point! I'm in my way there"
"Shigure" -the cursed Dragon scowled- "Akito's been restless lately. It's difficult to keep him confined to his room, he wanders around the halls instead of his usual meditation on the porch. He has tried to convince me to let him see Yuki again. I've managed to avoid it. I don't want them alone in the same room anymore. It may seem Akito is planning something. If you come along...."
"Hatori, it pains me to say this, but Akito has never raised a hand against me..."
Shigure's voice did sound pained. Saying that was like reminding the doctor just how much Kana and himself had suffered in the Master's hands.
It took Hatori a full minute to answer.
"That's right"
"Ha-san" -the Inu's voice was soft and compassionate- "You need to rest, and you need some distraction too. I'm sorry I can't provide you those, but the least I can do is be there, ne? I'm not much help, and I always end up annoying you but, isn't that better than nothing?"
Since the writer was on the other side of the phone line and no one was looking, Hatori granted himself the luxury to smile.
"I suppose so" -he replied, his serious voice not giving away anything.
"Well then, see you in a matter of minutes!!"
"And how are you planning to be here in a matter of minutes?" -the Doctor asked with the slightest tint of irony, being Hatori the one who drove Shigure around.
"Hai, hai" -the novelist giggled- "Could you send someone to pick me up then?"
Hatori shook his head in a reproving manner, but said: "You really are a bother. I'll send someone"
Shigure walked out of his studio and went upstairs to retrieve a coat. They were about to enter summer but the wind was still chilling.
'What is Akito after this time? Ha-san's words don't make much sense. I know for sure that Akito's condition has worsened lately, he's even paler and skinnier than before. Why the sudden wandering and activity? Well, Yuki is there after all, that alone is reason for him to be leaving his chambers more frequently.....'
The Sohma writer was so deep in thought the moment he went down the stairs, that he failed to notice the other two occupants of the house already sitting at the table.
"Shigure-san, breakfast is served" -Tohru called the man's attention when the Inu walked by.
"Ah, Tohru-kun! Ohayo..hmmm, what a succulent masterpiece!" -he sat down on his usual spot, chopsticks already in hand.
"Going somewhere, Shigure?" -Kyou asked, noticing his older cousin's attire.
"Ohayo, Kyou-kun" -the man eyed the red-haired a bit awed. Not everyday the neko called him by his first name instead of the usual 'stupid dog'- "Uh. Ha-san asked me out in a date!" -the dark-haired man offered as an explanation, taking the opportunity to involve the absent Hatori in his jokes.
The neko snorted and the girl smiled, both knowing this was Shigure's way to start the morning.
No one added anything, though, and the breakfast continued in silent until Kyou decided to speak.
"To the Main House then"
"Just a quick visit" -the novelist slurped the last bit of miso.
"Ah, Shigure-san, Kyou-kun and I...don't have school today....maybe we...." -Tohru said nervously.
Both Sohmas turned their eyes on her.
The girl reddened immediately- "Gomen! I didn't mean to be so rude! It's not my place to be making such decisions! I just thought, I mean, if we could only....it's been so long...."
"Oi, don't be embarrassed" -Kyou said, offering a small quirk of his lips to the girl- "We're going along, Inu. We don't have anything else to do anyway"
"Eto...Kyou-kun, maybe that isn't such a good idea" -Shigure replied, putting the chopsticks down.
The incoming sound of a car cut off the conversation. A dark automobile parked outside, driver waiting.
"We'll pick this up when we come back" -the red-haired teen said to the girl, and she nodded.
Both youngsters left the table, Kyou to get his jacket and Tohru to close all doors.
Shigure sighed resignedly.
"Why no one ever listen to me?"
****
The doctor checked some papers while making his way to the Master's chambers. A cigarette was welcomed, but the Ryu knew that it wasn't convenient to be smoking when close to the Family's head.
Not that it would be such a big difference, since Akito's health was in a deplorable state. It really was a paradox, that the man's condition was worse but at the same time he seemed to have renewed forces. Or maybe the last reserves were being consumed.
Hatori halted.
He turned his head to the right, where the corner of his eye had caught a glimpse of a crimson robe decorated in dark leaves.
Akito was standing in front of Yuki's room.
Before the Dragon could say something, the Master turned to him.
"He is not in his room. Tell me, Hatori, why isn't Yuki in his room?"
It was obvious that the Master had already been inside.
"While some rest and limited exertion are recommended in Yuki's current state, it's not healthy to have him completely enclosed. Since his return to the Main house he has been confined whether to his room or your chambers, and I deemed necessary to give him some respite. I had Hatsuharu and Kagura to take him to the east yard and practice during the morning" -Hatori explained.
He didn't add the fact that with that, he also ensured that the nezumi wouldn't be alone, at least during some hours.
"Practice?" -Akito pondered the word.
"Hai. Some katas. The three of them have been Kazuma's students, after all"
It had been the first thing to come to Hatori's mind that morning when he met the Cow and the Boar in their way to the nezumi's room. Besides, he could tell Yuki was tired of being locked up inside those four walls, and tired of the flowing robes he was forced to wear. The three teens had changed into some more comfortable hakamas and gis destined for kendo practice and looked for an open place in the east gardens.
"I see" -the Master replied wistfully. His lips curved and his dark eyes shimmered- "I'd like to see Yuki's katas. He has always possessed such capturing gracefulness...."
*****
"What are the wood boards for, Haru?" -Yuki asked, seeing his younger cousin carrying five of those.
Kagura stood beside him, both watching as the cursed Oushi lined three of the boards. They were clad in white hakama-gi attire, and the Sohma girl had her hair encased in a high ponytail.
"I want to show Yuki how strong I've become" -Hatsuharu replied, as he stepped back and placed himself in front of the boards. The teen went silent, studying the objects in front of his gray eyes, and then acquired a kendo attack position, his right hand connecting firmly against the wood barriers.
Two of them were cracked from top to bottom.
"You've certainly been practicing" -the mouse observed, and the comment gained him a full smile from the cow.
Yuki rolled his eyes. Haru was always happy to obtain his approvation and attention.
"Haru-chan, I want to try that too!" -Kagura exclaimed, and she started to line up the two remaining boards with the one being left.
"Shouldn't you try first with only one?" -the white and black haired Sohma proposed.
But the Boar girl didn't listen, and mimicked Haru's position.
"Shishou said to concentrate" -she spoke while studying her target- "To put all the strength in this blow" -she went on in her sweet voice- "And to hit with all the heart...so here I COME!!!!!" -her voice reached a definitely aggressive tone as her fist hit with all her might, and the three boards were completely split in two, the wrecks falling to the ground.
She looked down, smiling at her success, and started jumping in glee.
"Yatta! Yatta! I did it!!"
Behind her, both young Sohmas blinked in astonishment.
"Hm. Somehow, I feel sorry for whoever used to be her sparring partner" -Haru commented in his flat tone.
"Yun-chan, your turn!" -Kagura turned and addressed her younger cousin.
"Iie" -the Cow interrupted- "Yuki's hand is hurt. He shouldn't be using it yet"
"It's not really that bad, Haru" -the nezumi argued, looking down to his bandaged wrist.
"Hatori told Yuki to be careful with it" -the Oushi replied stubbornly- "And it's my duty to look after you. But, if Yuki wasn't injured, I'd like to have a little encounter with him"
Yuki's glance grew confused.
"Fight me?"
Hatsuharu was the last person he would have expected to consider a source of threat.
A lazy but slightly sly smile tugged at the rocker teenager's lips, as the Oushi's dark eyes ran up and down the nezumi's body, who was standing beside one of the scattered plum trees of the garden.
"Hai. Not a real serious one. Just for a little physical contact, you know"
Yuki snorted in mild amusement.
"Don't you start with that, Haru" -he chided, understanding the hidden innuendo.
It got Yuki thinking, though, that his younger cousin had refrained from his usual flirting during the last days. Probably Haru understood the mouse had been immersed in a turmoil of thoughts and emotions, that along with the abuse and his respiratory problems, had weakened him considerably.
But now, it seemed the white and black haired Sohma was attempting to bring Yuki some sense of normalcy back.
If only that was possible.
"Start what?" -Haru played innocent. His calm expression helped him with that- "I mean, I know I must train harder if I want to defy Yuki to a combat. Yuki's very skillful in martial arts"
"It's really been a while since I've had a sparring combat" -the nezumi mused.
That wasn't entirely true, since he fought in a regular basis with the neko back at Shigure's. But then again, they had never really had a serious encounter. Of course, he couldn't say that out loud. If he recalled correctly, his Shishou, Kazuma, had been the last opponent he had faced, and that had been just before his moving into the Inu's house.
"I fought Shishou last month" -Kagura declared, then pouted- "Shishou won, but the dojo's left wall was all crumbled by the end. I don't know who could have possibly done that"
Haru and Yuki exchanged glances. Their older cousin could be pretty dangerous.
'But' -Yuki thought- 'I feel a new closeness with my family, that I haven't felt before. I used to be...so enclosed in myself. I barely took notice of them. Being here, as horrible as it is, has given me a new perspective. Not only when it comes to Haru or Kagura, also Hatori. Even if he can't really ....save me...he tries so hard. God, even niisan and all his eccentricities. It's a pity I can't see much of Momiji around. It's probably for the best, though, he should be as far from this house as possible. It's also a good thing Kisa and Hiro don't spend much time here. All this, makes me realize how-selfish I was, I am, refusing to look past my own nose, how I refused to acknowledge people. I just....pushed them away, without stopping to think how things looked like from the other's point of view. It makes me realize Shigure wasn't that bad, after all..okay, he was also pretty eccentric, but behind all that...even Kyou...I couldn't see other thing but my jealousy...'
"Yun-chan, are you listening to me?" -Kagura called, her eyes those big chestnut ones that gave her an innocent air that was completely gone whenever she phased into her mighty boar-ish self.
It seemed that, while he had been lost in thought, Kagura had started doing some katas.
"Uh? Hai" -the dark-haired teen nodded.
"This, is the Sen Te, Thousand Hands" -the female Sohma swiftly raised her left arm, the right one doing a blocking motion with her upturned palm. She altered the position again- "And this one is the Sensoo Meditation, War Meditation" -she lowered, standing only on the tip of her feet, hands together in front of her face- "Then, is th-"
"Kiku doosa, Chrysanthemum movement " -Yuki continued for her, as Kagura adopted the next kata position- "All of them from the Nakao shuhoo (style), ne?"
"Hai" -she nodded, smiling happily- "Yun-chan is very intelligent! He already knows all that!!
"Hey" -Haru complained, half seriously, half jokingly, seeing the boar girl appraising Yuki, invading his territory, as the Cow's mind put it.
Yuki smiled, a small gesture, but it was there.
It felt refreshing, to be able to have these few minutes of fake liberty.
And as they continued talking, the presence of the recently arrived people went unnoticed. They were standing there at the porch, silently observing the three Sohmas outside.
"What happened to Yuki-kun's hand?" -Tohru wondered in a small voice, taking note of the bandages.
Kyou kept silent. There in the yard were Kagura, Haru and Yuki. They were just talking, and the nezumi, while still pale and tired-looking, seemed a bit better than that night..
That night...when he saw that monster of Akito...treating the other teen like that...
When he understood the reason why the mouse had returned willingly.....
When he heard, from the cursed nezumi himself, what Yuki's mother thought of him....
[ Her second child.....destroyed her......]
[I heard them say...she wished I'd die.....]
Kagura's soft giggles captured Kyou's attention. He saw her smiling beside both Cow and Mouse.
She looked fine.
Kyou had been a bit....not really worried! Gee, he wasn't worried! Who dares to insinuate the contrary?!
Just a bit..unsure, of what to think, how to act around her. He hadn't seen her that much lately. He didn't know what he would do if Kagura happened to be sad, if he saw heartbreak and distress in her eyes.
Sometimes, few ones, he wished he hadn't been so cruel to her. But, if he had been nice, he would have only encouraged her.
Besides, -
"Kyou-kun! Tohru-kun!"
Kagura's happy cry interrupted everyone, as she made a quick dash towards the three incomers.
Shigure very calmly stepped aside, in order to avoid the rampaging girl.
Haru frowned, finally discovering the Inu, the Cat and the Honda girl standing there.
Yuki's eyes widened.
What were they doing there?
Kyou, acting on instinct and out of habit, prepared himself for flight, but before he could move, Kagura stopped abruptly, and limited herself to envelope Tohru in a big hug.
"Tohru-kun! I'm happy to see you!"
"Thanks, Kagura-chan!" -the girl's eyes shimmered with happiness. It had been one of her dreams to befriend with the boar of the Juunishi.
"Ah, what a lovely scene" -the Inu exclaimed.
"I'm also happy to see Shi-chan" -the female Sohma released Tohru, and turned to greet the older man with a small bow.
Kyou stood very still when he saw the girl turning towards him.
Kagura smiled prettily, and giving a step forward, she hugged Kyou briefly, just a couple of seconds, then stepped back.
"And I'm happy to see Kyou-kun" -she said simply, and then ran back to the yard, where the Oushi and Nezumi stood.
Tohru, despite her best efforts to seem happy and smile, just like he had promised Kyou, couldn't help the shadow of sadness cloud her eyes as she watched Yuki-kun, standing there so close, but also so far from them.
Unreachable.
Not Haru or Yuki gave a step forward.
"Shigure-sensei" -Haru gave a slight nod, then his glance went upon the red- head- "Kyou"
"Shigure-san" -the purple-eyed youngster bowed in respect, his expression going serious and indifferent.
He didn't even greet the Cat. He didn't speak to Honda-san either.
Shall the masquerade begin. Shall the actors come into play.
"Ah, Yuki-kun, it's also nice to see you" -the Inu smiled, and even if his voice was light and innocent, his dark eyes stared directly into the amethyst ones, trying to discover the most minimal fault in the teen's deception.
But Yuki held the gaze firmly, not giving any ground, not showing anything.
"Are you looking for Ayame-niisan?" -Kagura asked.
"Iie, iie" -Shigure shook his head- "As much as I'd love to have some minutes with Aya, we've come here for...different reasons....."
Inwardly, Yuki cringed at the suspiciousness of the Dog's voice.
Did they know?
His purplish eyes fixed on the red ones of his feline cousin, silently asking.
Did you tell them?
Did you?!
Kyou read the silent questions immediately. A part of him felt insulted.
'K'so! Didn't I promise you I wouldn't say anything? What's with you, damn mouse?!'
That part of him was in the verge to start yelling at Yuki. The other part of him couldn't take out of his mind the image of his cousin lying on the tatami of that room, frail and scared.
The last one won over, and Kyou simply gave a curt shook of his head, and then averted his eyes.
"What reasons?" -Haru asked.
The Inu smiled mischievously, then stated:
"I've come to see Ha-san!!"
"Oh, we saw Hatori-niisan early this morning" -Kagura informed- "Hatori- niisan went into his clinic after that"
"No matter" -Shigure said- "I'll make sure to take poor Ha-san out of that clinic now. He's been pretty busy, I've heard. I also heard he's been looking after Yuki-kun....."
The young man shrugged, dismissing the matter.
"Nothing serious"
"But, Yuki-kun, your hand..." -Tohru suddenly said, taking some steps forward, but not climbing down the couple of stairs that separated the tatami of the garden's ground.
All eyes focused on her, and she bit her lower lip, remembering she wasn't supposed to address Yuki as if they knew each other.
Some seconds later, all eyes went on Yuki.
The teen furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, gave Haru a sidelong glance, then returned his attention to the 'unknown' girl.
"Sumimasen" -he murmured- "I don't think I know you. Demo, thanks for your concern. It's really nothing"
"Yun-chan, she's Honda Tohru-kun" -Kagura stepped forward, introducing the only person there not member of the Sohma family to the nezumi- "A classmate in Kyou-kun's school"
And of course, the moment Kagura mentioned the Cat's name, both red and purple eyed teens had to exchange glances.
And they both had to pretend to be offended by each other's presence.
But a new voice interrupted.
"Isn't this a singular scene? The Cat.........What is the Cat doing in my house?"
Akito was there.
****
Everyone fell silent, glances directed towards the Sohma Master.
Akito studied the unusual scene, dark eyes hard and suspicious to find not only the infamous Cat but also that girl, that Honda girl there, standing there as if they had all the rights to be in his house, and what was worse, to be standing in front of his Yuki!!!!
"Well? Can you not talk?" -the man mocked.
"Ah, Akito-san" -Shigure was the first one to react, as he bowed to the Master- "I can see you're feeling better. We've been worried, since Hatori...."
"Hatori has always been an alarmist. Isn't that so, Hatori?" -Akito replied indifferently, addressing the person who was standing slightly behind him.
The dragon gave two steps forward, coming into view for everyone.
"My recommendations are always based in what's best for your health" -the doctor replied nonchalant.
Still, the Ryu's eyes glared with mild anger at Shigure.
He had warned the Inu about Akito's wandering, and in top of everything else, had the Dog to bring along Kyou and Tohru? Akito was going to give them hell for this.
Shigure lowered his eyes. He should have foreseen this. But there was nothing they could do now.
Yuki clenched his hands. This was horrible. Why had they come?
"Ah, Akito-san, it's so nice to see you" -Tohru bowed, respectfully but nervously, feeling the tension in the air. She remained in her bent position, awaiting the master's reply.
"Honda Tohru-kun" -Akito said her name with coldness in his voice, halting for some seconds until the girl's eyes finally looked up at him. Then, he frowned- "Who gave you permission to come into my house again?"
Everyone present could see the Head Clan was angry, and planning not to let this 'intrusion' go without someone getting punished.
The nezumi tried to speak up, but what could he say? Anything he tried to do now on behalf of the girl would only result on giving away the deceiving.
"Ah! Eto..Gomen, Akito-san. It was so rude from me" -she mumbled, fearful of the evident hatred the man held towards her.
"Indeed" -Akito continued- "Are you not satisfied with my permission of living in Shigure's house? Do you want more? Don't you have enough, you, a mere simple girl who is nothing compared to us the Sohmas!? I never want to see you here, do you hear me?! And you better obey me, if you don't I'll-"
Eyes of fire glaring furiously, Kyou stepped in front of Tohru, clearly protecting her. He stood there, guarding the girl behind him and facing the master.
Akito's eyes grew wide in surprise, but soon the awe turned in mockery, as the man smiled.
"Ah, yes, we can't forget the Cat is here too" -the Master gave a step forward, but Kyou didn't move- "You certainly have a lot of nerve, coming in here, you filthy Cat. You, such a horrible cursed creature, should better keep your distance"
Kyou wasn't sure what was going to happen, but he wasn't moving and letting that bastard touch Tohru. If it were any other person, he would have already lunged and attacked, but now that he was face to face with Akito, he could feel it. He could feel that aura that emanated from him, a dark threatening one, even if the man's body seemed weak and skinny. There was a hidden force within him, Kyou could almost see it, and he understood that it was all part of the curse. The Master of the Juunishi carried the weigh of all their curses, but also possessed such unnatural strength.
"Oh, please, Akito-san, please, don't get mad. Kyou-kun was about to leave. Please, Akito-san.." -Kagura pleaded.
Akito gave her a disgusted glance.
"Did someone tell you to speak? No one did!" -the man thundered.
Kagura flinched and retreated.
"It was all my fault, Akito-san" -Shigure took a step ahead- "I planned on a simple visit to the Main House, and brought them without your permission. It's hardly anyone's else fault. They will leave immediately and-"
Akito shook his head, dark locks of hair swaying, and with a wave of his hand silenced the Inu.
"No. No. They are already here, aren't they? They can't leave so soon" -the Master's eyes returned to face Kyou- "Since you want to be here so badly, arrangements could be made. Even for a monster like you, Cat. I, being so generous, could receive you here, in my house. I could order a room be prepared for you" -the man smirked with cruel satisfaction- "There's even a window in that room, a window with bars"
Tohru gasped, horrified. Tears started streaming down her face.
Kyuo growled low. The fate of all cats, be locked up until their death.
His Shishou's grandfather had been cursed with the Cat's spirit. And he had died inside those four walls.
In the garden, Yuki swallowed thickly.
He had accomplished nothing, then.
All he had done to protect Honda-san and the neko hadn't meant anything.
The baka neko!!! Why had he come? Didn't he understand how precarious his situation stood?
If he could only say something. But until then he hadn't understood his lies also had terrible consequences. Having his memory erased also meant that he couldn't possible remember the pact Akito and Yuki had made. There was no way now to stop Akito, to remind him that they had made a deal.
At least he couldn't.
"Akito, I thought we had all agreed Kyou was to stay outside the compound" -Hatori's spoke calmly, like if saying those words wasn't the same thing as defying the Master's orders.
"We did? When?" -Akito replied in a smug voice.
"When you also agreed that Honda Tohru-kun had permission to live at Shigure's" -the doctor replied evenly.
The Master's eyes shone with suppressed anger. Hatori wasn't going to take this from him.
"I don't remember. And you don't remember either, Hatori. You better don't say another word" -he threatened, already knowing the Ryu was well aware how true his threats were.
Kyou looked from Master to Doctor, understanding the dangerous position Hatori was placing himself in for the neko' sake.
He had never shown any appreciation for the doctor, but he wasn't about to let someone else be harmed because of him.
"I know who I am. I know the curse I carry" -Kyou spoke, tone visibly angered, as he addressed the Sohma Master- "And I won't let you take it out on anyone else. It's me you have a problem with"
Akito gave him a mild surprised, mild awed look, then laughed softly. A mocking sound.
"What a stupid cat" -he said- "It's not courage but foolishness what inspires you. You are surely stupid to be defying me so openly. Because even if you're not one of us properly, I'm still your Master, and I decide what to do with you. Your stupidity is remarkable...isn't the neko a fool, Yuki? Doesn't he deserve a punishment?"
The nezumi found himself target of all glances, all expecting him to play his part. His purple eyes regarded Kyou.
Suddenly, he had Kyou's fate in his hands.
Yuki's eyes were supremely cold.
"The Cat shouldn't be here, that's for certain. He's an outcast and should know better than to enter this house" -the teen stated in his level, arrogant voice. As he spoke, he could see Tohru's eyes, bright with tears and worry, as she stood behind his feline cousin- "All cats have always subdued to their destiny. I don't see why this one has to be different..." -Yuki observed how Kyou's red eyes grew wide in surprise when he heard his words. The nezumi also knew that everyone else was shocked to hear him. Especially Hatori and Haru, the ones aware of the whole façade thing. The gray-haired youngster continued- "....if he can't prove he's fit to belong to this family, then he doesn't deserve his freedom. If in a fight he can't prove he's worthy, then it's only fair the Master decides....."
"A fight? Ah, yes. Like the tradition, isn't it?" -Akito sat down on the porch, his red robe pooling around him- "If the cat can't win against the mouse, then he will be locked. If he does, then he can go free. Interesting"
Tohru wringed her hands together.
A fight?
Between Kyou-kun and Yuki-kun?
Demo...
Fighting was wrong. You never achieved anything. Fighting only caused more sadness and hatred.
She didn't want them to fight.
Yuki-kun was injured.
But....but Kyou-kun's freedom depended on it. If his Kyou-kun didn't win....
More tears fell from her eyes.
Shigure opened his mouth, but then closed it. He just didn't know what to say. For a moment it seemed Kyou's fate was decided, and now this. Still, the cat even with his training had never been able to win over the other teen. What was going to happen? If Akito ended up locking the red-haired teen, the Inu would never forgive himself.
Haru and Kagura were also silent, watching the situation unfold. The boar girl was torn between trying to save Kyou-kun, and trying to help Yun-chan. If Yun-chan only remembered that all this had started because the nezumi himself had wanted to protect the neko and Tohru-kun. Haru, on his part, didn't know what was Yuki doing. A fight, now? What was Yuki trying to....
The Oushi's eyes lit up in realization. Was Yuki planning to-
Only Hatori spoke.
"Akito, that's not a good idea. Yuki can't be using his wrist yet. And you know about his left shoulder. The bandages are still on"
Kyou also knew about the wounds on the other teen's shoulder. He had seen them. And also the swollen wrist. And heard about the whipping. The fiery teen just couldn't picture him going against Yuki right now.
"But Yuki is strong. He can handle it" -Akito dismissed the matter- "Besides, I want to see what the Cat is capable of. It would be wise, to assert what this monster's abilities are. I want to see them fight"
"I don't want to" -Kyou growled.
"Oh, but no one is asking you if you want, Cat. You are going to, because this is the only chance you got to walk out these doors again" -Akito stated, then played another card- "Think about that dumb girl standing behind you, too. This may be her only chance...."
Kyou's hands clenched in fists. He was trapped now.
"You two, come inside. Leave the two of them" -the Master ordered Haru and Kagura.
Reluctantly, both teens complied, and Kyou, swearing under his breath and eyes burning with anger, jumped down to the gardens' ground. Now he stood in front of Yuki.
"It's understandable you don't want to fight. The last time I saw you, neko, you ended up face down on the floor" -Yuki commented with slight contempt in his voice.
Kyou didn't answer. His whole expression denoted confusion. What was the mouse doing?
"Shigure-san, we have to stop this" -Tohru half cried half whispered to the Inu, but the writer only shook his head.
"We can't do anything now" -he murmured back, holding her hand and squeezing softly in an effort to comfort.
Akito gave a small wave of his pale, bony hand, signaling for the encounter to begin.
Both teens stood face to face, few feet separating him. Close enough to murmur and be heard.
"Dammit, what are you doing?" -Kyou whispered, as they did that half bow in greeting.
This was new for both of them. They had never really had a serious combat. More like brawls, all of them provoked by Kyou, but they never did more than throwing some punches and kicks.
What was more, Kyou was the one who attacked, and Yuki would limit himself to knock him out some minutes later.
"Fighting you" -Yuki answered seriously- "This is what you wanted, this is what you get"
And the dark-haired teen went into attack pose, hands in front of him and legs slightly bent, in a position everyone recognized from Kazuma's lessons.
Yuki was serious.
"K'so! Stop the acting crap" -Kyou replied, as he mimicked the pose- "I know you remember! What's this?!"
"The last chance for you and Honda-san to get out of here. Now, Kyou, you're gonna fight me, and you're going to do it with all you got. This one's for real" -Yuki warned, and went onto his cousin.
The nezumi didn't know what else to do to help them.
The moment Akito asked for Yuki's opinion to punish Kyou, his mind had gone blank.
What to do?
How to help them leave?
What could he do in order to stop the Master from imprisoning the cat?
And then he knew. The only thing to do, was prove in front of Akito that Kyou could defeat him. By all means necessary, they had to fight, and Kyou had to win.
They were forced to battle. There was no other choice.
"K'so" -the neko swore as he dodged the incoming blows and kicks. One of them connected against his left side, and he jumped backwards, putting distance between them.
Kyou brought his hands up again, preparing himself for another assault. He saw Yuki's calculating eyes, studying his moves and poses, then the other boy lunged at him again.
Kyou continued cursing under his breath. Damn but the mouse was fast!! Another punch direct on his face, another one on his stomach. Kyou fell to the ground, having his air knocked out of him, and before he could blink twice, Yuki was attacking again.
The neko rolled over himself, and using both feet and hand, jumped back, one, two, three times, coming to a stop beside one of the plum trees, panting and breathing hard.
The mouse had meant what he said. There was no pretending in his movements, he was fighting for real, and Kyou could see it. It was very different from other times. The neko was certain that back then, when they engaged in a brawl, Yuki always went easy on him.
This was completely different.
Kyou had to move faster, his punches had to be stronger, he had to aim to hurt. But the point was....that he couldn't do it.
Kyou kept himself in a defense position, and awaited. He didn't make a move towards the other Sohma, he simply waited, and defended himself.
If things continued like this, Kyou would definitely lose the combat.
****
Yuki's eyes became slits. Why wasn't the baka neko attacking???!! He kept blocking and dodging, but Kyou wasn't even trying to fight back.
Lavender glance met the red one, and almost immediately Kyou lowered his eyes to the ground. Avoiding visual contact.
Yuki knew then, that his cousin didn't have the heart in the battle. That the Cat didn't want to hurt him.
Probably, after seeing him that night of Akito's visit, the night when Kyou saw his wounds and his fear, since his cousin couldn't bring himself to attack, not wanting to cause more damage.
'It's noble from you, Kyou, it really is' -Yuki thought, as he prepared himself one more time. But the glare only intensified- 'However, this is not the time for you to show sympathy. You can't be worrying about me now. It's time for you to lose the kids gloves'
Kyou saw the other teen approach him, he blocked with both arms the high kick, then avoided the incoming fist, but in doing so, he failed to see Yuki's other hand, which slammed solidly against the tree's trunk instead of his face.
He went stiff, knowing that blow had been missed purposely. Now only mere inches separated them.
In that position, Yuki murmured for the feline Sohma to hear.
"What are you waiting for, Kyou? This is not a game. Stop trying to be careful, stop holding yourself back. I am certainly not pulling any punches, and I don't want you to be doing so" -the nezumi's angry eyes gazed directly into Kyou's- "And I don't want you to look at me like that. You're looking at me with pity in your eyes. I don't want your sympathy. Don't treat me like a poor little thing that needs compassion. I know you know I'm hurt, but believe me, that even with these wounds, I can still beat you. And I will if you continue like this. I have always been stronger, and if you don't snap out of it now, you're going to regret it. Think of the consequences, think of Honda-san...."
The dark-haried teen couldn't continue, because Kyou growled and threw a swift kick, forcing Yuki to jump backwards to avoid it.
In a matter of seconds, Kyou lunged after him, his open jacket billowing wildly with each one of his fast movements. He attacked nonstop, aiming for the face, the chest, the stomach, looking for a way to bring his cousin down.
The neko halted for a minute to catch his breath, Yuki some feet away, also breathing rapidly.
Kyou's mind was a mixture of confused thoughts.
Yuki wanted him to fight with all he got.
But he didn't want to.
But if he didn't win, Tohru would be locked in that horrible House.
And he would also follow the fate of all the cursed cats.
Demo....
Yuki was injured...
The mouse was fighting with all his strength, though, it didn't seem the wounds had weakened him that much..
Maybe...maybe .....if he put all his heart in it...maybe he could win....finally win against the nezumi.
Kyou had to win. It wasn't a choice anymore.
From the sidelines, Akito watched in interest.
"Well, finally, the Cat did something. I was starting to believe he had learnt nothing from Kazuma..."
Haru watched with care every movement of his cousins. He had been surprised of Yuki's violent approaches at the beginning. And he also noticed how Kyou was holding back. In the last second things seemed to change. Haru pressed his lips firmly together.
He had the hunch that Yuki was planning all this.
Shigure and Hatori stayed silent and grim, gravely contemplating.
And both Tohru and Kagura had worried expression on their faces.
"Not even once, neko. You haven't been able to connect even once" -Yuki mocked out loud.
"Shut the hell up" -Kyou grunted, and was a bit awed how naturally that sounded.
He hadn't noticed before, but he was angry. He wasn't sure why, but he was angry, and the anger only fueled his energy to fight. Angry for many things, at that bastard of Akito, at the fact that he was cursed, at the rejection all the other cats before him had suffered. And even if he wasn't angry with Yuki at all, the nezumi had become on the target of that feeling.
Kyou dodged another blow, this time grabbing hold of the slender arm and lifting the other teen completely off the floor, intending to mimic a movement his Shishou always used on him to immobilize him.
But in middle air Yuki freed from the other's grasp and jumped high, landing smoothly on his feet some distance ahead. The teen wavered, though, and bent one knee on the ground.
His sight was blurred, Yuki realized, and his throat was burning. His shoulder stung with the crystal wounds, and his wrist was throbbing painfully. Kyou had grabbed him from his hurt arm.
' I had to go on. Just a bit more' -he mused, coming back to his feet, and adopting the attack position again.
Yuki knew the moment the neko realized he was feeling weak, the instant Kyou noticed his pain and distress, the teen would slack off, he would retreat and go back to only defend himself.
And Yuki couldn't have Kyou giving up yet. He had to make Kyou fought harder. He had to show Akito the Cat was worthy. He needed Kyou to go on.
"Akito, Yuki is in no condition to continue this" -Hatori warned the Master, but only the ones standing on the porch could hear.
The Head Clan didn't pay him attention.
He was enjoying every minute of this. Yuki was so beautiful in battle. The concentration in his eyes, the way his hair moved, the altered respiration.
He would never admit it, but Akito's eyes were also on the Cat. The boy was rough, and not as graceful his movements, but there was a rebellious aura around him, his eyes as red as fire, his glance proud but also volatile, and all that made him very attractive.
'Who would win?' -Akito wondered, realizing both boys were very strong.
Still, his preferences were on the mouse, just for him to be able to have the Cat to torture and the opportunity to destroy that awful girl.
The only thing he didn't like, Akito noted, was that each time the Cat aimed closer and closer, and Akito didn't like the idea of any one else but him to touch his precious mouse.
"I'll win, you'll see!" -Kyou said through clenched teeth, continuing his frantic attack.
"Not like this" -Yuki chided, avoiding each blow- "Don't let your anger to consume you. Don't let it manipulate you. You have to manipulate it"
"I know that, dammit!" -Kyou barked, and jumped high, situating himself at the other Sohma's left side, and managing to hit with a high kick the teen's side.
Yuki whirled, feeling the impact of kick, but the quickness of his reflexes allowed him to receive it only with half the strength Kyou had delivered it.
The nezumi retreated some steps, finding his balance again.
Kyou wasn't restraining himself anymore. Good.
It was now.
They had to end this.
"It was about time, Kyou" -he muttered in a low voice- "I was starting to think you were a loss of time, that you were a coward. Honda-san wouldn't need someone who isn't man enough to protect her"
Kyou choked on an insult, not able to voice anything past his lips, and went onto the other teen with everything.
One, two, three, four consecutive blows, but Yuki blocked them all.
Kyou then whirled, lifting his leg high, his foot coming around and crashing against Yuki's arms. The dark-haired teen had put both arms in front of him, crossing them in order to block the kick, but the pain of his wrist was by now unbearable, and his defense failed him.
The kick hit him on the side of his face, and even if it had been at least momentarily stopped, it was still strong enough to sent Yuki to the ground.
The nezumi fell on his knees, his sight going white for a second. His instincts told him to stand up and block again, because Kyou wasn't done. He could feel the air moving around him, signaling for an incoming attack.
Kyou's right arm drew back, seeing the opening to connect a direct punch. It was a rare opportunity and he wasn't going to let it pass.
Yuki rose, trembling with the effort but he did. He saw Kyou in front of him, preparing the next blow. Yuki only had to move his head back in order to avoid it, grab the extended arm and then throw his cousin with a kick or a punch.
It was time to finish this.
Kyou threw the punch, eyes fixed on the nezumi's serious face. The moment his arm shot forward, his instinct told him he had made a mistake. Yuki could easily deflect the blow and took advantage of his guard down. Damn, his Shishou had always told him not to let his guard down, but the Cat always forgot.
The Neko saw everything as if it was in slow motion. In one second Yuki would either dodge or lift his arms to block the punch. In any second now......Kyou was expecting it, but what he saw was Yuki, not lifting his arms, not moving back. He saw Yuki, closing his eyes, and the blow connected directly.
The dark-haired teen practically flew over, thrown back by the force of the punch, hitting against that same plum tree.
Kyou couldn't believe his eyes.
No one in the porch could believe their eyes.
Yuki lied there, coughing, not able to stand up.
The Cat had just defeated the Mouse.
Someone cried in anguish and ran towards the fallen boy.
"Yun-chan!!" -Kagura kneeled beside her younger cousin, gathering him in her arms- "Yun-chan, genki desu ka?! Yun-chan!"
Yuki coughed, hands over his mouth, fingers tainted with red droplets.
Everything was spinning around him.
'The fight is over' -he mused for himself, before losing himself in a dark exhausted place in his mind.
"Kyou-kun, please, no more!" -the boar girl pleaded, looking at the surprised Cat.
Kyou was petrified in the spot.
The hell?!
What had happened?!
He had won....
Tohru also made a motion like if she was going to run towards Yuki, but Shigure held her back, shaking his head with a resigned expression.
Akito, features serious, stood up.
"Enough of this. Don't you dare touch him again" -he hissed, threatening the Cat. He kept silent for a minute, deciding on what to do- "Well done, Cat, you won this time. But only because my Yuki was injured. This mean nothing to me, you hear me? I'll let you go this time. Be grateful for it"
The Master then addressed Hatori.
"Take care of him"
And with that, the man walked for the north halls, disappearing around a corner.
Hatori made his way towards the teen. He hadn't passed out, he was just completely drained of energy. Yuki had surely hurt his wrist again, and there were some traces of blood on his shoulder's bandages. Maybe a reopened wound.
The older Sohma lifted the nezumi in his arms, and with Kagura tailing behind, left the garden and porch and went into an adjacent living room, closing the door behind him.
Kyou was still dumbstruck.
The scene playing again and again in his mind.
He had lost on purpose. He had seen it.
Yuki had-
"You're an animal!!"
Haru's furious voice finally snapped Kyou out of his thoughts. The neko saw the angry eyes of his younger cousin, as the Oushi continued his verbal assault.
"You bastard!! Didn't you see the opening?! He gave you the opening to do that, and you did it! You had to go for the kill, hadn't you?! You had to hit last. How could you?" -Haru trembled in fury- "After all he has given up for you! For us!"
Kyou could only blink, standing there, waiting for Black Haru to come down to the garden and throw himself at him.
But the Oushi simply whirled and left the porch.
Shigure sighed sadly, and Tohru finally gave in to the flow of tears and cried against the older Sohma's arm.
Kyou sat down on the ground, leaning his face against his hands.
This was not the victory he wanted.
To Be Continued....
A/N: Gosh!!!! What a long chapter!!!! Consider it my Christmas present for all you people.
Okay, before some one flames me, I know this was very melodramatic. But, man, it was so interesting and exciting to write!!!
I tried to describe the fight the best I could. There were lot of things I wished I could picture better, but I lacked some words and explanations. If this were in my natal language, I'd made it better.
The names of the kata positions I made them up, okay? The names are on Japanese and have their translations. I saw a kata contest on my Jap classes and couldn't help the inspiration.
Also, the name of the book Shigure was writing an essay on is real. The Tale of Genji is the oldest book in Japanese literature.
And the hakama is the pnat-like part of Japanese attires, the gi is the huge shirt-like piece. The obi the belt that holds the hakama up.
And again, I'm not pairing Kagura and Yuki. But they can be so sweet!!!
Ah, my dearest Yuki! He lost!!! But no matter, it was all for the sake of helping Kyou and Tohru.
I know there isn't much blood, but well, this was the best I could do.
Ideas? Comments? Please no flames!!!!
Reviews, minna-san!!!