Chapter 13

Welcome To My Individuality

Kazuo ran to the treehouse, his feet carrying him as fast as they could."Yuki!" Kazuo yelled, quickly climbing the ladder. Yuki remained in the corner, stiff and unmoving. Kazuo went to his side, concern in his icy gaze."Yuki?" Kazuo said, his voice gentle and comforting. Yuki just ignored him, his grey eyes closed to the world. Kazuo slide his hands under his younger brother, lifting him from the floor. Yuki remained quiet, leaning his head against Kazuo's shoulder. Kazuo carefully climbed down the ladder, his holding him in his arms."You'll be okay Yuki."Kazuo whispered, his voice full of emotion. He reached the ground, carrying Yuki to the house.

Tohru was looking out the window, her eyes looking over their vast backyard. She saw them, and her heart sank deep within her chest, as she stood. She didn't know why she felt like this, her entire body felt heavy almost altered in a way. She watched as Kazuo walk up the many stairs to Yuki's loft, his eyes worried. Amaya was at his heels, her eyes full of tears and worry. She saw everything, yet she could not bring herself to help."What happened to him?"asked Uo, looking at Haru who sat silently on a chair. Haru didn't answer, just looked up the stairs, his face stoic. Momiji stood next to him, shaking his head. "Why did she hurt him again Haru?"asked the younger boy, looking up at him. Haru shrugged his shoulders, as they all congregated into the center of the room. "Who's she?"asked Tohru, though her words seem slurred. Haru looked at the girl, his face as expressionless as ever, though if you looked deeply into his eyes, you could see a small glimmer of sadness."Yuki's ex-girlfriend, she goes by the name Akito, she a relative."said Haru. Tohru tried to get more information from him, but he would tell her no more.

Kazuo walked down the stairs, his steps slowed by his tiredness."I'm sorry, we have to send you all home, but Yuki is not well, again I'm sorry."said Kazuo, bowing as he stood on the balcony. Everyone walked toward the door, lead by the maid."Tohru, Yuki wants you to visit him tommorrow, if it's alright?"Kazuo said questioningly. Tohru paused, her heart racing in her chest. Keitaro looked at her, a smile crossing her face."She would love to, if you don't mind I'll come too."said Keitaro, linking arms with Tohru. Tohru nodded weakly, following the older girl out of the house."That was eventful."said Uo, running her fingers through her blond hair."Who's up for dinner at Tohru's?"asked Uo, nudging Tohru. Everyone smiled, walking to Tohru's house.

Kyoko greeted everyone with a warm smile, hugging Tohru tightly."Hey munchkins."said Kyoko, stroking Tohru's head. Kyoko dragged them into the house, seating them at in the living room."So how did the dinner go?"asked Kyoko, looking around the room at the girls. Everyone shrugged, digging into the snacks she had brought out.
"The punker got hurt by his ex, and it was very interesting, though we didn't get to eat anything."said Keitaro, popping a piece of chocolate into her mouth. Kyoko lifted an eyebrow, casting a look around the room."Why did you call him, punker?"asked Kyoko, looking at the teen sternly. Keitaro looked at her, eye dark eye narrowing.
"Because he is, and he's really weird."said Keitaro, not backing down. Kyoko looked at the girl, her sharp gaze looking her over.
"How would you like to be called a anorexic and a know it all, what would you do?"asked Kyoko, staring at her. Keitaro remained silent, looking at her hands in her lap. "I would get angry and probably hurt them."said Keitaro, looking up at her. Kyoko shook her head, placing more snacks on the coffee table. "You would be to afraid, you may talk big, but on the inside your just like everyone else, scared of being found out." stated Kyoko.

Tohru sat on her bed later that night, staring out at the city. "What are you doing, munchkin?"asked Kyoko, standing in the doorway. Tohru turned slowly toward her mother, tears pouring from her eyes. Kyoko sat at her daughter's side, hugging her close."What is it?"asked Kyoko, stroking her head. Tohru sobbed into her mother, her hands grabbing the folds of fabric on her shirt. "I couldn't help him, I'm sorry oka-san, but I couldn't." sobbed Tohru, holding tightly to her. Kyoko looked at her daughter, surprise written on her face."You couldn't help who, kiddo?"asked Kyoko. Tohru looked into her mother's eyes, her large brown eyes full of sadness. "I couldn't help Yuki, I'm sorry oka-san."apologized Tohru. Kyoko looked at her, holding her and rubbing her back in soothing circles.
"It's not your fault, love, it's not."said Kyoko, though a smile spread across her lips. Tohru fell asleep in her mother's arms, her tears still draining from her eyes as she slept.