Hello again! ^.^ Here's the next chappy!
I do not own anyone but Neko.
Neko woke up suddenly to the sound of soft tapping on her door. "Come in, Yuki," She said groggily.
The door opened and Yuki's familiar gray-silver head looked in at her. "How did you know it was me?" He asked, walking in and shutting the door.
"Shigure wouldn't have knocked, Kyo would have banged the door down, and you would knock quietly. I can tell by your personalities, I guess," She replied, sitting up. "So, what's up?"
"I came to check on you. You seemed pretty upset yesterday so I got worried." He smiled at her with his usual soft smile. Neko patted the bed next to her. Yuki sat down next to her. "So what happened up there?"
"Kyo was asleep so I made him some leek soup since he was sick. I had no idea he didn't like leeks. I've only known you guys for less than a week! I'm still trying to get used to a new school and now a new home," Neko said, trying not to cry.
"It's alright, Neko. I understand that. I'm sure Kyo was just agitated because he didn't know how to thank you. He's not used to kindness. Just give him some time to get used to that." He smiled at her, making Neko smile back.
"Thanks, Yuki. You're really sweet, you know that?" She asked, making him blush. She looked over to the clock and saw it was almost lunch. "What did you guys have for breakfast?" Neko asked him, tilting her head to the side.
Yuki chuckled softly. "We usually sleep past breakfast on weekends."
"Oh, okay. Good. I'd hate myself if you guys had to have take-out for breakfast," She said, sighing in relief. "So, what do you want for lunch?"
"Hmm… I don't really know. Whatever you're good at making."
She smiled and nodded, standing up. "Alright, so out of my room. Let me get ready before I go and get lunch made. Could you ask the others what they want, too?" He nodded and left, leaving Neko to get ready.
*sheep**ox**rat**tiger**rabbit**dragon**snake**horse**monkey**rooster**dog**boar**cat**god*
After lunch – which Kyo had not attended – everyone set to do their own thing. Yuki went out for a walk through the woods, Shigure went to his office, Kyo was still hiding somewhere, and Neko went out to buy some food because they were beginning to run low. On the way out the door she bumped into someone tall with black hair covering his left eye. He gave off an ominous feeling, making Neko shiver a little. His face was expressionless and his eyes were cold.
"Uh, Shigure?" Neko shouted over her shoulder and up the stairs. "Uhm… could you come down here?"
She heard a door shut and feet coming downstairs. "Hatori! What are you doing here?" Shigure asked, grinning widely.
"It's time for Yuki's check-up. Where is he?" The man called Hatori asked, looking past Shigure. His gaze rested on Neko, making her stiffen. "Who's this? I don't believe she is a Sohma," He said coldly.
"Oh! This is Neko. She's staying with us."
"Does Akito know?"
"Eh… heh… about that…" Shigure said nervously.
"He doesn't know, does he?"
"Not really…"
"You understand that I will have to tell him, don't you?" Hatori asked, his voice getting colder.
"Well, yes, but I was hoping I would get to go, but you see, my editor will be coming soon…"
"Don't use her as an excuse. I know you finished everything so you can play pranks on her." He sounds like Shigure's mom…
"Are you also a part of the zodiac?" Neko asked suddenly, surprising even herself. I guess I got a little too curious…
"So she also knows of the curse? Yes, I am part of the zodiac. How much do you know?" Hatori asked, turning to look back at Neko.
"Uhm… Yuki, Kyo, and Shigure can't be hugged by girls… Yuki's the rat… Kyo's the cat… and Shigure's the dog… Is that what you meant?" She asked, looking up at him.
He smiled a little, surprising Neko even more. "Yes, that's what I meant. And you haven't told anyone about this?"
She shook her head quickly. "Of course not! It's their secret, and I just found out on accident. I've never even thought about telling anyone!" Neko said honestly.
"Good, but if Akito says the word…" His smile faded and he looked over at Shigure, who nodded solemnly. "Ok then, since Yuki isn't here, tell him to come by the main house for a check-up."
"I will," Neko said, smiling. He walked out without looking back, got into his black car, and left. "Well, that was… intimidating. Is he always like that?" She asked, turning to Shigure.
"Yes, ever since… actually, Hatori has always been the solemn one," Shigure replied, chuckling.
"Huh. Well, I'm going to go buy some groceries. We're running low. Bye!" Neko waved a little before heading out the door. I hope Kyo's alright. He's probably starving. He didn't have breakfast or lunch… And he's still sick, too… She found herself worrying about him the whole way to the store. She opened the shop door and walked in, looking around the familiar place. She usually was the one to buy food for her parents, so she knew what to get, what was a good deal, etc. She headed to the dairy section first because they were really low on milk.
She saw Kyo looking through a glass door at some milk and giggled. "Hey there, does kitty want some milk?" Neko asked, grinning and walking over to him.
He jumped and spun around, his surprised face quickly turning to embarrassment then anger. "Jeez, relax. I was just teasing you," She said, laughing. He turned red, but she didn't know if it was embarrassment, anger, or both.
"Shut-up," He muttered, looking down. Neko smiled and grabbed a basket. She took two cartons of milk. "I came here to get some food. We're low."
"I know. And you're sick. So you should be at home resting." Neko put the basket down and put her hand on Kyo's forehead. "Hmm… you're still a little warm. Go home and rest. Or else you'll have to have some more leek soup." At this Kyo's face turned a faint shade of green and he left rather quickly, Neko smiling a little.
She continued shopping for food, thinking about what she should make for dinner. Maybe I should make a fish dish… But which one? Neko passed by the fish section and looked at all the fish, deciding to buy some Mackerel.
*sheep**ox**rat**tiger**rabbit**dragon**snake**horse**monkey**rooster**dog**boar**cat**god*
Back at home in the kitchen, Neko was making Sabano Misoni (check out this site if you don't know what that is: http:/ japanesefood .). I hope this helps Kyo get better…
"SHIGURE!" Shouted someone. Neko jumped, surprised by the female voice's screech. She washed her hands and went upstairs to see what was going on. Shigure was tied to his chair, with only his right hand free (he is a righty, right?). "You're already late!" Shouted a girl with short brown hair.
"Can I guess you're Shigure's editor?" Neko asked her politely, hoping this issue wouldn't take too long.
She looked at Neko, stunned. "Yes, how do you know?"
"Not telling," Neko replied, smiling. "Shigure, give her your writing so she can leave without having any permanent damage done to her.
"Here, Mit-chan…" Shigure said, handing her a packet of paper.
"Shi-shigure!" Mit (is that how you spell it?) said, close to tears. Neko left while she could to finish dinner.
*sheep**ox**rat**tiger**rabbit**dragon**snake**horse**monkey**rooster**dog**boar**cat**god*
After dinner – which everyone had attended – Kyo slipped away before Neko could check his temperature. She cleaned the plates and put everything away before climbing up to the roof, where Kyo was laying with his hands behind his head.
"Hey. You certainly like stargazing, don't you?" Neko asked, laying down next to him, grinning when he jumped up. "Relax, Kyo. It's just me."
"Don't do that!" He said, his cheeks turning a little pink.
"Aw, and why shouldn't I? Does it scare kitty?" She asked, grinning.
"No!" Kyo replied, turning redder. He sat down and Neko pulled herself into a sitting position. She reached and put her hand on Kyo's forehead. "Would ya quit that?" He said, pulling away from her with his face redder.
"Chill out. And you're temperature's back to normal. Shocking, seeing as you haven't done much resting. I'm going, so you can get back to stargazing." Neko smiled and gave a little wave to the blushing Kyo before going back to the house.
"Ah, Neko! I've been looking for you," Yuki said, coming out of his room. "I want to show you something tomorrow."
"Alright! But I don't think you'll be able to… Someone named Shigure came over today and said it was time for your check-up and he needs you to go to the main house for it since you weren't here when he came by."
"No."
"No? What do you mean, no?" Neko asked, tilting her head to the side. "He's obviously your doctor, and if you need a check-up…"
"I said no. I ran away from the main house, why would I go back?" Yuki replied. He turned around and went back into his room.
"Okay…" Neko said, feeling a little confused. She shook it off and went to her room to get ready to go to sleep.
Laying in her bed after getting ready, she couldn't sleep, so she just thought of what she had learned about the boys today.
Shigure has an editor name Mit-chan, and he likes to play jokes on her.
Hatori is the Sohmas' family doctor.
Yuki needs to have a check-up often…
Kyo… what did I learn about Kyo…?
She never got to thinking about what she learned about him, because at that moment she slipped into sleep.
YAY! I got another chapter in! Now to start the next one... Please review!