The Twelfth Continuing Chapter- The Irony of Circumstances
"Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to meee…" sang Shigure merrily, swaying his head from side to side as he hung the last of the glittery streamers across the doorway between the staircase corridor and the dining room, where Kyo sat watching him with an annoyed frown.
"How old are you now anyway?" he asked as Shigure flounced into the room.
"Oh, Kyo! Don't you know the superstition that if you ask an older man his age, you become an old man yourself?" Shigure widened his eyes dramatically.
"WHAT?" Kyo jumped to his feet, horror distorting his face. "I-I knew that! Forget I asked that!"
"I think you just crossed the line from 'stupid' to 'brainless', Kyo" said Yuki, coming into the room carrying a small box of deflated balloons.
"What's that mean, damn rat?" yelled Kyo, glowering at Yuki, who returned a similar flaming glare.
"Forget brainless," hissed Yuki, lowering the box onto the dining table, "you're completely hopeless."
"Say that again," challenged Kyo threateningly, hands curling into tight fists.
"Gladly," snapped Yuki, raising a fist of his own.
"Then say it, damn rat!"
"I will!"
"You two aren't making any sense now," said Shigure, grinning innocently as Kyo and Yuki broke their heated eye contact to glare at him instead. There was a brief silence, and then they snapped back to each other.
"You don't stand a chance against me, damn rat!"
"Then why haven't you beaten me yet?"
"What? I- ARGHHH!"
Kyo lunged at Yuki, but before his fist could meet anything, Tohru padded into the room.
"Oh, Tohru," whined Shigure immediately, "they're fighting again!"
The two boys froze for the second time as Tohru stared at them with a look of utmost horror on her face.
"Oh!" she cried, hands clasping together into their usual position under her chin. "Please don't destroy the house! It's Shigure's birthday, and we haven't finished with the decorations yet–the balloons! I forgot the balloons! Oh–!"
"It's alright, Miss Honda," interrupted Yuki, turning away from an appalled Kyo to pick up the box he had been carrying earlier. "I have the balloons right here. If we start blowing them now, I'm sure we'll finish in good time before the party starts."
"H-Hey!" spluttered Kyo, but he fell into silence as Tohru smiled at Yuki. Her words the day before bulleted into his mind: I kissed Yuki. Kissed. Kissed… How could she have kissed him? Kyo glared at the silver head in front of him, his insides twisting in swelling anger. Sure, it was partly his fault, maybe. He had left her without a reason, and he had made her believe that he didn't love her anymore. Which was the original plan, he thought bitterly, to keep her from being hurt. Now he didn't know what to think. Now he supposed he should just go with the flow, live each precious second and just hope for the best. Tohru turned her smile to him. A broader, more compassionate smile. Kyo's muscles relaxed as she seemed to gaze at him lovingly, achingly. She loved him. He loved her. What else could matter more?
He cleared his throat. "So when does the party actually start?"
"In about two hours," replied Tohru, picking up a green balloon, "when the guests start to arrive! Oh, I'm so excited for you, Shigure!"
"Why thank you, my little housewife! Ah!" Shigure winced as he received a blow to either side of his head.
"Get to blowing, damn dog." Kyo grabbed a handful of balloons, and then paused. Yuki and Shigure followed his gaze.
Tohru was stretching the balloon's neck with fingers of both hands, her lips pursed and forehead creased in deep concentration. She took a deep breath, and, after several seconds, exhaled into the balloon. It remained limp in her hands.
"Um, Tohru?" Kyo took a step towards her. "You do know how to blow a balloon, right?"
"Of course I do!" she answered shrilly, and she blew into the balloon's mouth again, but to no avail. She blushed and giggled nervously. "Um… I thought I did."
"Idiot," said Kyo, shaking his head in amusement. He reached and took the balloon from her just as a loud knocking sounded.
"Oh! Who could've come so early?" Tohru ran out of the room.
Kyo examined the balloon before stuffing its mouth into his. He blew hard, but, to his surprise, the balloon merely flapped.
"Do you know how to blow a balloon?" asked Yuki, lifting a fine eyebrow.
"Of course I do!" snapped Kyo, savagely stretching the balloon.
"That's what Tohru said," said Shigure, and he smiled innocently as Kyo threw him a dirty look.
"I CAN! Look, dammit!" Kyo gripped the neck of the balloon and blew hard. His face flushed as the balloon flew out his hand. "Aargh!"
"And you were going to show that to Miss Honda?" Yuki shook his head. "Disgraceful."
"Shut up, you–!"
"Everyone!" called Tohru, reappearing in the room with an unreadable expression on her face that immediately concerned Kyo. "Look who's here!"
A tall man entered, and both Kyo and Yuki let out a gasp. Shigure merely stared as the man turned to him, holding out a small envelope.
"Happy birthday, Shigure," said Kureno softly.
"Why are you here?" asked Shigure, his tone cautious, eyes watchful. He didn't take the envelope. "Where's Akito?"
"I suggest you open this first," said Kureno tonelessly.
"Where the hell is Akito?" yelled Kyo suddenly, as immense fear rushed through him like wild adrenaline. Tohru!
"Still haven't learned to control your anger, Kyo?" Kureno gazed at Kyo as if he were a harmless child.
"Damn you," Kyo spat.
"Um," squeaked Tohru, "K-Kureno came alone. I didn't see anyone else with him!"
"Why?" asked Yuki. Tohru looked at him in confusion, and then realized his question had been meant for Kureno, who looked at him then.
"Akito sends his regards, Yuki," he said impassively.
Yuki took a step back, a gesture that Kyo himself would've done if his feet hadn't been rooted to the wooden floor. What's going on, he thought hysterically.
Shigure stared at Kureno, and continued to hold his gaze as he slowly took the envelope. "Would this be a birthday card by any chance?" he asked, half jokingly, half suspiciously.
Kureno simply shrugged.
Kyo watched in rising terror as Shigure pried the envelope open; instinct was telling him that something bad was about to happen. He looked up at Tohru, but she herself stood transfixed as Shigure then pulled out a glossy slip of paper.
"To all," he read aloud, "you are cordially invited to the main house for a celebration with regards to Shigure's birthday. Timing: Midnight. Attire: Formal." Shigure's mouth twisted into a grim frown. "Sincerely, Akito. Well, this is an interesting turn of events…"
"Is this some kind of joke?" demanded Yuki, staring incredulously at the paper.
"What the hell is he trying to pull?" yelled Kyo.
Kureno held up a hand. "I serve only as messenger," he said in a monotone, as if he had said the same sentence many times before.
"Yeah? Well, you go tell Akito we're not coming!" Kyo strode forwards until he stood a kick away from Kureno, fists balled and prepared to fight.
"We can't just ignore this, Kyo," said Shigure frankly, "as much as we all want to, I'm sure… but this invitation is as good as an order, coming from Akito. Hmm, looks like we're not seeing him tomorrow then…"
"Wait, what? Tomorrow? We were going to see Akito tomorrow, Tohru and me," said Kyo, catching Tohru's wide-eyed expression.
"I planned to go with Hatsuharu," murmured Yuki.
"Well, isn't that ironic?" said Shigure, shaking his head. "I was to pay him a visit along with Hatori and Mayu."
"Why?" asked Kyo and Yuki at the same time. They exchanged heated glances.
"Same reason as you, I suppose."
Just then there was a rapid succession of knocks. Tohru gasped and disappeared once again, leaving a cold, silent blanket over the room. After a few minutes, the sound of several voices filled the air.
"Tohru!" a female voice cried. Kagura, Kyo thought with dread. "You look so pretty!"
"Oh! I, um, thank you, Kagura! You look very pretty too! Please come in–!"
"Who died in here? It's quiet…" Hatsuharu's toneless voice followed, and then squeals from who could only be Momiji.
"Ooh, don't say scary things like that, Haru! It's Shigure's birthday, you're supposed to be singing!"
"Yeah, but where's the music?"
"Oh!" Kyo heard Tohru gasp. "I forgot music! Oh, forgive me, please! I'm so sorry, how could I have been so stupid?"
Momiji chuckled, coming into Kyo's view. To his disgust, Momiji was wearing a frilly pink outfit dotted with white flowers here and there, complete with a matching hat and shoes. "It's not your fault, Tohru! You– Kureno?"
Hatsuharu and Kagura came up behind him; Kagura became rigid, her mouth open in both surprise and horror, while Hatsuharu acknowledged Kureno's presence rather nonchalantly. He turned to Tohru, who had trotted up to his side. "Did you invite him?"
Tohru's face contorted suddenly and dramatically, her hands flying to her grasp her face. "OH! Oh my goodness, how could I forget to invite him! Kureno, could you ever forgive me? I'm so sorry! I- I thought I invited everyone! Shigure said to invite everyone, and –oh, I'm so, so sorry! Shigure, please forgive me! I–!"
"It's alright, Tohru," cut in Shigure laughingly. "I forgive you for forgetting to invite Kureno. He is, after all, just family, but then again, there's nothing like the company of family…"
"I'M SO SORRY!"
"Shut the hell up, Shigure!" yelled Kyo.
"This certainly is an entertaining household," said Kureno softly. He gazed at Momiji and Hatsuharu. "And seeing as there's nothing like the company of family, for certain I shall see you all at the main house."
He strode out of the room –briskly, so that none of them had the chance to say another word to him.
"Where's Hatori?" asked Yuki suddenly, coming up behind Kyo.
"Oh, he's parking the car," answered Momiji, a little distractedly. "Did you know the neighbours down the block are having a party too? There're cars parked all the way from there to here!"
"At least someone gets to celebrate today," muttered Kyo, glancing at Shigure, who still held the invitation, he noticed. And so did Momiji.
"Hey, Shigure, what's that?" The rabbit pointed a finger at the paper.
Hatsuharu leaned forward, peering at the upside-down words. "You… are… cord–"
"Akito's telling us to go the main house later," said Yuki grimly. Hatsuharu looked up, eyebrows raised slightly.
"Yeah, cordially invited my ass," spat Kyo angrily.
"Now, now," said Shigure, waving his free hand, "we shouldn't be so–"
"MY DEAR SHIGURE!" cried a voice that sent familiar chills down Kyo's spine. There was the sound of running feet, and then a figure clad in flowing garments burst into the doorway.
"Aya!" greeted Shigure happily.
"Give me a break already!" yelled Kyo, as Yuki's brother scanned the room with piercing eyes.
"Why do all of you look like we're celebrating a funeral? But then again, even if Shigure was dead –I pray that never happens! – I'm sure we'd all be more festive than this!"
"Not with you around," said Yuki icily.
"Oh, Yuki, you're quite the joker! It is my only wish to spread as much joy and happiness as possible, which are almost as endearing as romance itself, indeed! This is why I strongly suggest that seeing Akito later would not be so smart…"
"Eh? You know about it, then?" asked Shigure, tilting his head quizzically.
"We passed Kureno on our way inside," said Hatori, appearing behind Ayame, who placed a hand on his chest, as if to recite a soliloquy.
"I had just arrived myself when I saw Tori here, and then Kureno came out of the house, and I say he looked rather amused. I immediately wondered if Akito was inside, so I stepped forth, brandishing a fist to threaten Kureno's life, and he begged and praised me–!"
"Really?" gushed Tohru, Kagura and Momiji in unison.
"Don't listen to him!" shouted Yuki and Kyo together.
"I'll tell it," said Hatori irritably, slowly pushing Ayame into the room by his shoulder. "Ayame began asking Kureno a number of questions, but in the end he simply replied saying we were to go to the main house later this evening. He said Shigure had the details. So here we are."
"Did he say why we had to go there?" asked Yuki, as Shigure handed Hatori the invitation.
Hatori quickly scanned the contents of the invitation, and then looked up. "I was assuming you knew."
"Perhaps he has finally learned the art of forgiveness," chirped Ayame. "Oh, do forgive me, Shigure!" He retrieved a package from within his flowery gown. "Many happy returns of the day, and may you have much more than life would allow! And of course you will, with me at your side forevermore!"
"Thank you, Aya," said Shigure. The two men high-fived each other as Shigure took the package. He slowly unwrapped it, to reveal a rectangular blue cloth embroidered with a picture of a dog wearing glasses and holding what seemed to be a book.
"What the hell is that?" asked Kyo.
"It's a manuscript cover, silly!" explained Ayame haughtily, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He lifted the cloth up. "Whenever you finish writing a particularly magnificent piece, Shigure, you slip it in here for protection and decoration, but of course!"
"Oh, how cute!" cried Tohru.
"Yes, it is. Thank you, Aya!" said Shigure, nodding his head in appreciation. Kyo wondered if he meant it.
A chorus of 'happy birthday, Shigure' followed. Then, one by one, the rest of the guests began giving their gifts. Hatsuharu's gift was a paperweight in the shape of a dog; Kagura's was a wooden photograph frame engraved with numerous quotes and sayings; Momiji's was a heart-shaped box of a variety of chocolates; and Hatori's was a pen with a built-in digital clock.
"Are you sure I need this more than you do?" Shigure asked Hatori smugly.
Hatori simply shrugged. "Your editor will surely think so."
"Right… ha, I'm sure she will… well, thank you all so much for your wonderful gifts!"
"Oh!" exclaimed Tohru suddenly. "Will you all please excuse me while I prepare the food? I almost forgot, how silly of me!"
"I'll help you!" offered Kagura, before Kyo could, to his disappointment. He had been hoping for a chance to speak to Tohru alone.
"I'll come too!" piped in Momiji excitedly, bouncing on his feet.
"Okay!" said Tohru happily, and all three of them left the room, chattering animatedly.
"So…" murmured Hatsuharu, "about later…?"
"I'm not going!" snapped Kyo.
"Neither am I," agreed Yuki.
"Yes, that would be the smart thing to do," said Ayame, pointing a finger in the air. "Oh who knows what may happen?"
"I don't think we have a choice in the matter," said Hatori softly.
"You're too soft, Hari." Ayame shook his head in obvious disapproval. "I really fail to see how you can listen to Akito when he absolutely ruined your life. Oh, by the way, is Mayu here? I heard she was invited. My, I haven't seen her in quite a while! I think the last time was Kana's wedding–?"
"Yes, yes, she's invited," cut in Shigure hastily. "But, I'm sorry, Aya, but I think I agree with Hatori. We should go later. We were planning to anyway…"
"Well, I'm not going!" yelled Kyo.
"I think you're the chief reason we're invited, Kyo," said Hatori grimly.
"I- what?" Kyo stared at him. "But it said to celebrate Shigure's birthday–! Oh… yeah…" he trailed off into silence as it dawned upon him. Akito wanted to see the two of them. Kyo and Tohru. The event Kyo had been waiting for, and dreading. It was actually going to happen… tonight…
"So Akito's using my birthday as an excuse?" whined Shigure.
"Hey," said Hatsuharu suddenly, "who else is invited?"
Yuki sighed. "Well, according to Miss Honda, other than Miss Mayu Shiragi: Kisa, Hiro, and her friends Uotani and Hanajima. She couldn't quite contact Ritsu and Rin."
"Ah…"
"Fine," muttered Kyo. Everyone turned to look at him, but he kept his head down. "I'll go later… for Tohru's sake."
Silence filled the room once more. The balloons lay forgotten.
oOo
"Who are you, freak bastard?" demanded the blond girl.
Akito let out a short, loud laugh. "That girl has such entertaining friends."
"Listen, you psycho! You let go of us right now or I'll–!"
"Or you'll what?" murmured Akito, narrowing his eyes dangerously. "You can't do anything to me, especially with your friend's life at stake."
"What have you done with Tohru?" asked the dark-haired girl softly.
Akito examined her carefully. "So I assume you're the girl with the psychic powers. I may have some use for you. And don't even think about trying to toy with me."
"Hana, just do it!" yelled the blond girl, struggling with the ropes that bound her wrists and ankles tightly. "Just zap the whammy out of this freak!" She thrashed about wildly, staring at Kureno, who stood a good distance away from them.
Akito noticed where she was looking, and shook his head calmly. "Now that's not the way to behave," he whispered. He approached the woman next to the psychic. "I've heard of you. You were friends with that other ugly girl, Kana…"
"Shut up," said the woman through clenched teeth.
Akito ignored her. "I wonder how Hatori will react when he finds out I have you." He chuckled. "I wonder what he'll feel…"
"Akito, let Kisa go!" cried Hiro, who sat bound next to the blond girl. And to his side –crying, to Akito's delight– was Kisa.
Akito took a few steps towards her, and lifted her chin. She stared at him with fearful, teary eyes as he raised a hand and slapped it across her cheek.
"KISA!" yelled Hiro. Akito kicked him before he could move closer to the girl. He fell on his back, groaning in pain.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" gasped the blond girl. "They're just kids!"
"Kids need discipline," said Akito angrily. "Now, if you don't want anyone else to get hurt, I suggest you silence yourselves."
The blond girl reluctantly closed her mouth, glaring daggers at him. Akito let out another laugh.
"I just love birthdays, don't you?" he sneered.