Alright! I finally got a free afternoon to do some updating! YAY! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU everyone for your wonderful reviews! I'm sorry I'm still not updating as quickly as I used to T.T Working on it, though!
indescribablemusic: AH! Thank you so much! :D I'm glad you like it!
Maddie: Yeah, sorry I didn't do replies in the last chapter T.T I was just trying to get the chapter up so everyone could read it, and didn't have a whole lot of time to do replies. But now I do! haha Glad you liked the chapter! :D
Mila: Seriously, right? I just wanna punt Takei through a brick wall. -.- hahahahaha I know! I DIED when I first watched this episode. SO FLIPPIN' FUNNY! My mom even cracked up! (She loves Furuba xD) HA! Thank you! *grin* I added in that last part about Shigure right before I posted -thought it'd be funny xD Thank you so much! :D
Alexis Castle: Thank you so much! :D Glad you're liking it ^.^ And let me know what you think of any of my other things! Thank you again!
tikarose: Bow before me? :3 *blush* AWW! Thank youuu! You get a virtual tackle-glomp for that! *tackle-glomp* Thank you so much! ^.^
EMISHAE! ...Yeah, I put your name in caps xD Ah! I'm so happy that you've caught up! YAY! XDDD Thank youu! I added that line in about having Kyo for that at the last minute XD It made me laugh, too hahaha Ha, that's okay! I keep forgetting to bring it up because I just picture them that way in my head soyeah haha Kiku has purple streaks, and Saki has red streaks ^.^ HA! Thank goodness for Scree, eh? XD I didn't get it for a long time either! My friend's little sister actually ended up telling me. *sweatdrop* XD Thank you, thank you so much, my friend! :D (Oh, and I shall be updating WSI today, I hope! ^.^)
D.W: Why are you a kitty? O.o Aw, I'm sorry your program won't open! But I LOVE "Lovely Traces iPod". That made me so flippin' happy *big smile* That and the fact that you like Hawk Nelson and The Ready Set :D I'll have to look up the songs I don't recognize! Thank you so much! :D
LunaCullen16: Here be the update! Thanks for reading! :D
Alright, everyone, let's get on with this. No more suspense! Read on! (And many thanks again!)
-XXXV. Unexpected Guest-
Yuki and Kyo looked at Momiji and Haru.
"So?" Kyo asked. "What do you want to tell us? This sure as hell better be important."
Momiji's complacent, happy face fell, and he looked down at the floor. He looked sad now, for some reason. "Uh-huh," he said as he nodded.
1_1_1_1_1
"That was quite a scene back there," I said.
"Yeah," Sachiko said, laughing a little.
"If every day's going to be like this, I think it'll drive Yuki and Orange-top crazy!" Miki said.
We laughed.
"You all seem to be in a good mood."
We froze and turned to look at who had spoken.
It was a boy. Probably about our age. He wore all black, and had dark hair.
I felt a strange presence about him. Something dark. Something sinister. ...And maybe even evil.
3_3_3_3_3
"I heard he was here. He's here at the school. Akito!"
Momiji's statement startled Yuki and Kyo.
"We just found out about it ourselves," Haru said.
They all looked at each other, slight nervousness in their eyes.
"Shigure told us the news," Haru continued. "Right after the entrance ceremony. He said Akito decided at the last minute he wanted to come."
"He must've come later than everyone else," Momiji said, "but we think he's here now. When we heard, we figured it was something the two of you would want to know right away. Especially if...you don't want to see him."
Yuki turned and walked away, not saying anything.
The remaining three just stood and looked after him.
Yuki walked down the hallways, only a few students who were late for class passing by.
Akito was at the school. He wondered why, but then realized that the reasons didn't matter. He had to have come for something. Or someone.
3_3_3_3_3
The boy moved closer to us.
"Excuse me," I said quietly, "but are you...Akito?"
I sensed that Miki and Sachiko were surprised at my assumption. But not too surprised.
The boy smiled slightly. "Yes, I am...Miss Kiku Oshiro. Miss Miki Miyamoto. Miss Sachiko Fujioka."
We started and quickly bowed.
"Pleased to meet you," Miki said.
I don't believe it! I thought. Why would Akito be here at school? I never thought we'd have to meet him by ourselves like this, without Kyo or Yuki or anyone. Yet I'm surprised. He looks so young! And he's handsome, too! Still...this is the same person who hurt Hatori's eye...
Akito chuckled. "You're very polite. I'm glad. You seem to be good people. And not only that, you're all extremely cute."
We looked up at him, and were shocked to find him smiling. Something about his air and his voice didn't make the smile comforting at all, though. It almost scared me more, actually.
We snapped back up, Miki adjusting the mask over her mouth and nose.
"Oh, no, not really..."
"I wouldn't say that..."
"No, I don't think so..."
He chuckled again. "You're modest as well, I see... I mean it, you all really are cute." He looked at us. "I'm sorry I didn't say hello when I saw you at the main house. I tend to be rather shy around strangers. I hope you're not angry."
"No, of course not," I said.
He smiled, and I felt a shiver go up my spine. Not a good one, either.
"Well, that's good. I should introduce myself properly. I am Akito, head of the Sohma family. I'm pleased to meet you."
"Oh, no, the pleasure's all ours, really," Sachiko said nervously.
He does seem more gentle than I imagined, I said. But I still sense something...off...
"I do hope we can be friends from now on."
We looked at him.
"Just as you are with...Yuki and Kyo."
I felt my own eyes widen. I didn't exactly want to be that close to Akito. But I didn't say so. I suddenly hoped that he couldn't read minds.
"Akito!"
We all turned to see Yuki standing near the doors that we had come out of a few moments before.
His eyes were filled with a mixture of fear and nervousness. That look just deepened the feeling I had that Akito was not someone we should be associating with.
Akito smiled at Yuki. "There you are. I've missed you, Yuki. It feels like such a long time since we last saw each other, doesn't it?" he said, stepping closer to him.
"What did you do?" Yuki asked, his demanding tone tinged with fear.
"You look so grown up now. And I think you've even gotten taller..."
"What did you do?" Yuki asked again. "Tell me! What did you do to them? !"
Suddenly, I felt a hand grab my arm. I gasped, and a hand slapped over my mouth.
"Shush," a familiar voice hissed.
"Kyo?" I whispered.
"Come on," he whispered, looking at the three of us. "We're getting out of here."
"We can't leave Yuki here alone," I whispered.
Kyo opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again when Akito spoke.
"Nothing at all," Akito answered. "We were simply introducing ourselves. Right, ladies?" He turned back to us.
Kyo hid.
"Yeah," we said quietly.
When Akito turned away again, Kyo reappeared. "Come on. You don't have to be here."
"I'm not leaving."
"Me either."
"Me either."
"Dammit! Come on!"
We looked at Yuki and Akito nervously, and I felt that we needed to do something. But what?
3_3_3_3_3
"But now that I have you here, Yuki, there is something I've been dying to ask you," Akito said, so quietly that no one else could hear. He raised his hand and put it on Yuki's cheek.
Yuki shivered in fear.
"Why did you skip the New Year's banquet? Why would you think to do such a thing? I've been quite tolerant lately, have I not? And the fact that you would do something like that... You should know it hurts me deeply."
He moved closer, whispering. "Perhaps...I need to take some time to re-educate you... In that little room I keep especially for you..."
Horrible flashbacks played before Yuki's eyes from long ago. Squeaking boards as Akito walked across them. The big doors sliding shut. Himself sitting in a corner, curled up and shaking.
"Why don't you listen to what I say? I am the head of this family. Did you think you could go against me and not pay the price?"
A whip cracking. Fear wracking his brain. Tears streaming down his face. His own small, scared voice.
"Ah! Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!"
3_3_3_3_3
I shook off Kyo's arm.
"Kiku! No!" he hissed.
I ran over to Akito, and, without, thinking, pushed him away from Yuki.
Yes, you read that right. I actually pushed Akito, head of the Sohma family.
We all stood silently for what seemed like an eternity. It just stretched on and on, and I held my breath. Then I feared I would die if I wasn't able to take a breath soon.
Crap! What did I just do? ! I screamed at myself, trying to breath so I could apologize before Akito murdered me.
I took my hands back. "Oh, I- Uh... I'm sorry. It's just that... I think we need to be getting back to class now." My voice was shaky, making it sound like I was about to cry. I wasn't so sure that I wouldn't. "We're really late."
Akito looked at me. "I understand. Sorry to keep you. I suppose I should be getting back to Shigure and the others as well. They must be worried by now."
He turned back to Yuki.
I stared at the ground, blinking away tears.
"Yuki... I do hope you enjoy this new school year. And I would be very happy if you paid me a visit sometime soon."
I finally put my finger on it. Akito looked just like...an evil version of Yuki.
Kyo glared after Akito as he walked away.
Miki took my place next to Yuki as I walked back to Kyo and Sachiko.
I put my face in my hands. "I can't believe I pushed him!" But Yuki looked so afraid, I thought. I had to do something!
"It's okay, Kiks," Sachiko said, putting her arm around my shoulders.
"Kiku."
I looked up at Kyo.
"You're sure Akito didn't do anything?"
I shook my head. "No. He...introduced himself, and then said he...wanted to be friends..."
Kyo looked away and sighed.
"I'd better go," Sachiko said. "You okay?"
I nodded. "I'll see you after school."
She nodded and ran back to her classroom.
I sighed, brushing my bangs out of my face.
"I think you're the only person I know who's brave enough to push Akito."
My face got very hot. "I still can't believe I did that! I know that's going to come back to get me someday."
Kyo shook his left wrist, the beads on his bracelet quietly clacking together. "You don't know that," he said quietly.
I was reminded that I was still curious about that bracelet. I had never seen him without it, not even at the hot spring. It must've been important, for him to wear it all the time. Maybe it was something from his family, or maybe it had something to do with the Zodiac. But...what?
3_3_3_3_3
"Are you alright, Yuki?" Miki asked.
Yuki exhaled. "Yes, I'm fine," he lied, not wanting to tell her about what Akito had said, or what he had made him remember. "Miss Miyamoto?"
"Yes?" she said.
"Tell me. Akito... He really didn't do...or say anything strange to any of you, did he?"
She shook her head. "He really did just introduce himself."
"Good." Yuki smiled, but Miki saw something off about it.
"We should do something fun!" she blurted. "School gets out early today, so Kiku and Saki and I were talking about playing a game after school!"
"Even with your allergies?" he asked.
"Allergies, schm-allergies! Come on!" She grabbed his hand and ran towards Kyo and Kiku.
I don't know why seeing Akito scared him so much, she thought. But I do know that I want to do something to cheer him up. I may not be the best authority on cheering up, but, hey, a girl's gotta try, right?
3_3_3_3_3
Before I had a chance to ask what Kyo meant, I felt someone lightly smack me on the shoulder.
"Come on, Kiku!"
I smiled and grabbed Kyo's hand, running after Miki and Yuki.
I figured my questions could wait until later.
;;;;;
That afternoon, the four of us, Sachiko, Haru, and Momiji decided to play badminton.
"What am I doing here?" Kyo muttered. "I hate badminiton."
"No complaining," Miki said. "Besides, it's not like you have to play with this stupid mask on."
"Well, no one's forcin' you to play!" Kyo snapped back.
The teams were as follows: Miki, Yuki, and Momiji against myself, Sachiko, Haru, and Kyo.
"So, then," Yuki said. "We've picked teams, but what now? What are the rules?"
"You've never played before?" Miki asked.
He shook his head.
"Rules are useless in badminton," Sachiko said. "You hit the birdie as hard as you can, and your opponent will try to do the same. If you must call it a rule, then the first one to collapse from exhaustion is the loser."
"Sounds easy," Haru said.
"It sounds stupid!" Kyo yelled.
"Oh, shut up, will ya?" Miki said, rolling her eyes. "Just get into position."
"Position?" Yuki asked.
"Okay, Yuki," Miki said to him after we'd all gotten "into position." "Time to let Orange-top have it."
"Keep dreaming, Miki!" Kyo yelled back.
"You ready?" she asked Yuki, and it was clear she was smiling under her mask.
He nodded, a little uncertainty in his eyes, and I smiled a little.
"Here it comes!" Miki called, hitting the birdie.
3_3_3_3_3
After the entrance ceremony, Shigure had gone to Hatori's house. They were both sitting out on the back porch talking. With Akito deciding to visit the school, they had quite a bit to talk about.
"Do you know what he had to say about the girls? Said they were ugly," Shigure said. "Yes, while we were riding home in the car today..."
"They are probably the ugliest girls I have ever seen. They're not too bright either. I doubt I have anything to worry about from girls like that. Yuki won't be interested in them for long. Neither will Kyo."
Akito smirked evilly as he spoke, so sure of himself.
"And Yuki won't be able to go against me for much longer, not if he wants to be happy. After all, it's obvious that Yuki is still terrified when he sees me. I think he remembers where his true loyalties lie."
"It's understandable, I guess," Shigure contiuned. "With as long as Yuki suffered Akito's mental abuse, it's only natural he'd carry some scars."
"But there's something Akito doesn't understand," Hatori said. "If it's possible for one person to be hurt by another, then it's possible for that person to be healed by another as well."
"Yes, that is a comforting thought." Shigure smiled. "And, since we're back on the subject, despite what he said, the girls are very cute. In a sweet way..."
"For some reason," Hatori said, "when you say that, it reeks of something illegal."
[Back at school]
There are things I have dreamed about all of my life, Yuki thought as the birdie was hit back and forth across the net. Things I never thought I would have. Mere fantasies.
Parents that would embrace me. A home where I could truly feel welcome. A place where everyone could smile, and laugh together. A place where I could be myself, and I could be close to the people around me. A warm place, surrounded by friends.
He looked at Miki as she raised her raquet and sent the birdie flying over the net. She smiled widely, happy that it had cleared the net.
He smiled to himself. But I know now. It wasn't all a fantasy. That place...exists.