Tohru was pacing the kitchen, making herself busy cooking supper when Kyo got home. She had been utterly undone by Shigure's actions that day, and was desperately trying to find alternative excuses for his behavior. She didn't hear Kyo come in, nor did she see him standing by the kitchen island, watching her.
She seemed upset for some reason, making Kyo concerned. Did he do something to upset her? What was her problem, anyway? It was then that her cellphone began to vibrate on the counter. Peering over, Kyo read 'Incoming Call: Yuki Sohma'. Glancing at Tohru, he realized that she never heard it vibrate, probably due to the oil that was sizzling in front of her.
He grabbed the cellphone, quietly retreating to the bedroom before answering with gritted teeth. "What the hell do you want?" There was a brief silence before Yuki spoke.
"Oh. I was calling for Miss Honda."
"Yea? No shit. I thought I already told you to stay away from her." Kyo's frustration was palpable.
"I was worried about her. When she left today she seemed upset. I had just gotten home and she didn't even look at me. Just got up and left." Another brief silence hung on the line.
"You.. you don't think she remembered, do you?" Kyo whispered, his eyes widening in horror.
"I can't be sure, but Shigure had been with her. He swore they only spoke, but you know how he can be."
"Yea, but that idiot has said a lot of dumb things to Tohru, and shes never reacted that way before."
"That's true.. Look, I wasn't trying to break our promise, I was just worried. Will you just make sure she is okay?" Yuki's voice was laced in concern. Kyo ran a hand through his hair before sighing.
"Yea, I'll look into it. Bye." He hung up, noticing 2 missed calls from Shigure, and one from Hatori. Why was everyone bothering her today? Also, not one of them left a message.
He entered the kitchen, this time announcing himself. "Hey, I'm home." Tohru jumped, burning her hand on the oil she was lowering their chicken into.
"Ow! Ow, ow.." She shook her hand, trying to stifle the pain. Kyo set her phone down on his way to her.
"Hey, are you alright? You really are too clumsy. Here, let me see it." Kyo spoke softly, knowing that she was having a hard day. She held out her hand, wincing as he gently took it. Her eyes watched his hesitantly. "Hey, this doesn't look so good. Maybe we should call Hatori."
He moved to her phone once again before she grabbed hold of his shirt with her good hand. Her head was down, dark hair covering her eyes as she glanced at the floor.
"Please, Kyo. I need you to hold me." Her words seemed to cut directly to his heart. They were laced in fear and sorrow, causing him to wonder if she really did remember.
He turned, carefully pulling her into his arms. He rested his chin on her head as he followed the rhythm of her shallow breaths.
"What happened?" He felt her begin to tremble.
"I-I'm sorry Kyo. I didn't mean to.." His body tensed at her words.
'Shit! She does remember!' He brought up his hand to stroke her hair.
"Hey, it's okay. I know you didn't mean to.."
"I-I just.. I know he didn't mean to either. I just feel so guilty.."
Kyo's grip tightened on her shoulders. The rat was right. She blamed herself.
"I know. I'm not mad anymore. Yuki already told me what happened. You were drunk, anyway. And it was just a kiss."
Tohru's body froze, all trembling ceasing as she slowly looked up at Kyo. The confusion on her face made his stomach drop. Shit! She didn't know!
"Kyo.. wait..." Her confusion quickly turned to panic as she processed his words. Yuki? Drunk? KISS? Kyo fought to hold her still as she tried to pull away.
"Hold on, Tohru. I thought you had remembered. Please, calm down!" Tears began to well in her eyes. First, she allowed Shigure to touch her. And now, she finds out that she had kissed Yuki that night? What kind of woman had she become? Suddenly Yuki's strange behavior made sense. He was disgusted by her. And... Kyo knew. She slowly sank to her knees. Her voice came out in a strangled cry.
"Is that why Yuki hates me now?" Kyo kneeled with her, wrapping her in his arms once again. Hate her? No way. He didn't hate her at all. Does she think that because Yuki has been avoiding her? Guilt panged his chest.
"No. He doesn't hate you. I.. I told him to stay away. I was pissed at him."
"Why were you angry at Yuki? He didn't do anything. It was my fault." She whispered, feeling slightly betrayed. Kyo was not about to tell her that Yuki kissed her back.
"It was dumb, I know that now. But don't blame yourself. Apparently you called him Kyo.. You thought he was me."
She pulled back again, meeting Kyo's solemn gaze with her own. "So, you don't hate me?" Her small voice made him laugh.
"Of course not, dummy. But no more sake." He wiped the few tears that found their way to her cheeks before standing up to turn off the oil. The burn on her hand had now begun to blister. She rocked to her knees, hoping to avoid touching anything with it.
"Maybe I should call Hatori." She picked up her phone, noticing the missed calls. Two from Shigure, one from Hatori. She wasn't ready to face Shigure yet, but she found it strange that Hatori had called. He doesn't usually like to make phone calls. It rang once before he answered.
"Hatori Sohma."
"Oh, hi Hatori. Its Tohru."
"Ah, hello Miss Honda. I actually called to talk to you about Shigure."
She flinched at his name, drawing the attention of Kyo who was now putting away the food.
"Oh, we don't need to talk about him right now." She spoke in a nervous whisper. Hatori was silent for a moment.
"Is Kyo with you right now?"
"Yes."
"Have you spoken to him about it?"
"No."
Hatori let out a brief sigh. "Very well. Were you merely returning my call, or did you need something else?" Relieved at Hatori dropping the subject, Tohru explained her own reason for calling. "I see. I can be there in ten minutes. Until then, don't touch anything. Its past the point of cool water helping it, and I dont want you to aggravate the blisters."
Exactly ten minutes later, Hatori arrived with his medical case. Sitting beside Tohru on the couch, he began to treat her hand.
"Kyo, bring me a cool rag please. And some tea." Kyo, who had been standing in the corner anxiously, nodded before striding into the kitchen. Without looking up, Hatori spoke. "Don't worry about Shigure, Miss Honda. He didn't mean you any harm. He intended to help you, but his own body got in the way. He has already promised me that he would no longer interfere with your sexual affairs." He said, plainly. Tohru blushed before looking up at his eyes. He seemed genuine.
"I understand. I guess I shouldn't be so trusting in the future. I just felt like he was the only one who could answer my questions." She whispered.
"Perhaps you could ask me, as a physician of course. My answers may be rather bland, but at least they won't make you uncomfortable. Or, you could find another doctor to ask. The point is, I don't want you to stop trusting Shigure. He really does care for you, and although he didnt show it, I know that he deeply regrets frightening you. He is only a man. And discussing promiscuous topics with a beautiful young lady is enough to make most men weak. That's all it was, a moment of weakness. Personally, I think he deserves to wait for your forgiveness. He acted childish. Still, I know that decision is yours alone. As is the decision to tell Kyo." He finished wrapping her wound and began to put away his tools.
"Do you think Kyo would be mad at me?" Hatori stopped, noting the fear in her voice.
"No, I don't. You did nothing wrong. Though, I can't say that Shigure would be safe from his wrath."
Torhu flinched. That's not something she had considered. With how he responded to the incident with Yuki, there was no doubt that Shigure would be in big trouble. Yea. It would be best not to mention it. Kyo entered the room once again, with tea and a cool rag. Tohru immediately went to pour the tea, wincing when she felt the bandage scrape against her burn.
"Hey, you don't get to pour the tea when your hand is like that."
"Does it hurt badly? Even after the medication I gave you?" Tohru nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "Hm. Well, I'll write you a prescription for something a little stronger. You must keep that hand still so it can heal. Surely Kyo can pick up your chores." Hatori spoke, a light edge of concern in his voice.
Kyo nodded sternly. He enjoyed taking care of Tohru. It was something he rarely got to do.
"Hey doc, just how long will it take to heal?" Kyo asked, wondering about their upcoming trip.
"Only about two weeks or so. The first couple days will be the hardest. I'll be by every day to change the bandage. The medication she will be taking, although light in dosage, can make her drowsy. Don't let her drive and don't let her bathe unsupervised. Judging by her response to alcohol, it's best to keep a close eye on her. I'll talk to Kazuma about giving you the week off. Any other questions?" Tohru looked even more unsettled.
"You guys really don't need to do all of this for me. It's really not so bad! Just a little burn."
"It really wasn't so little, Miss Honda. Oil burns can be particularly difficult to heal. And yours was moderately severe. Please, allow us to care for you."
She stared back at the two men, eyes dancing between them before letting out a sigh of acceptance. A faint smile crossed Hatori's lips before he stood to depart.
"I will have the pharmacy deliever your medication directly. Instructions will be on the bottle. Until then, rest. It won't hurt as bad as long as you remain still."
"Thanks, Hatori." Kyo said, genuinely. Hatori nodded before showing himself out.
Kyo turned to Tohru, who was now sitting bashfully on the couch, staring at her hands in her lap.
"Hey, I'm sorry I made you jump earlier. You wouldn't have burned yourself if I didnt sneak up on you."
Tohru's eyes shot up to his. "Oh no, Kyo! I was just being clumsy! It's my fault."
Kyo's eyes softened as he took her face in his hands, sitting beside her. He had wanted to kiss her all day, but hadn't gotten the chance. Her eyes shut as he leaned forward, savoring his affection. He planted a long tender kiss on her lips, as the tension of the day left their bodies.
This is where they wanted to be. Together.