To See What We Could Do, Baby
Trigger Warning for cutting, blood and mild violence.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-..-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
.
.
.
The room was quiet as two figures lounged, the only light coming from Akito's phone as she watched scrolled through a certain adopted Sohma's social media. Shigure watched, feeling a little neglected as he drank another cup of sake. His God seemed to be completely engulfed in the phone, their eyes glaring at numerous photos and a video here and there.
The Dog heard familiar laughter coming from the phone, pouring himself another glass and downing before making his way to be close so he could look and see what had Akito so preoccupied.
"Welcome to Taco-Sensei's Taqueria; what can I get you?" Marley greeted the camera, and Shigure could hear Momiji's giggle before the two conversed, and Marley took his order and yelled it behind her and heard Miguel's deep voice and Tohru's giving a 'Hai!'.
Another video showing the backyard of the summer house was transformed into a little outdoor seating area, tea lights and tables with clothes and mason jars filled with flowers—another photo of Marley posing with Miguel, Tohru and Kyo wearing matching aprons. A sign held by Marley and Tohru read 'Taco-Sensei' and had a picture of a black dog with glasses in a taco suit.
There were many pics and videos of the Zodiac kids enjoying the little 'Taqueria.' Their smiles evident as they ate the foreign dishes, and another video popped up.
A song played as Marley was dancing on the porch; her apron was now gone as it seemed the 'restaurant' was currently closed. Momiji and Kisa were dancing along with her at first, and then Marley and Tohru joined, and soon the only one's not dancing were Kyo and Hiro, it seemed. Shigure had to assume one of the two was holding the camera-phone.
The white-blonde dragged her over-seas friend to dance before making him dance with the Honda girl. Marley held out her hand to the camera as if asking anyone watching to join in, her cheeks flush from dancing and her bright eyes brimming with joy.
"They look like idiots..." Akito grimaced, but that didn't stop Akito from looking through all the stories Marley had posted. Akito didn't fool Shigure at all; he could tell that she was jealous. The pout was a dead giveaway.
"And all the animals dancing and ate and drank the night away, surrounding God and making them happier than they had ever been." Shigure mused before as he swished the little amount of sake he had left.
"what are you trying to say?"
"Mhmm nothing... Perhaps we should join them... you did receive an invite to this thing... did you not?" Shigure knew that Akito had been invited, he had heard Marley's phone call and how quickly Akito was to shoot it down, mentioning that she was tired and didn't want to leave the annex.
"I shouldn't have to go to them..."
Everyone will come to me in the end
Akito was stubborn, and her God complex only made it worse.
"You know... in some old paintings of the Zodiac curse... God was shown with long white hair...almost eerily similar to Marley's hair." Shigure mused as he continued to watch God swipe through photos.
"Your point being?" Akito had heard the comparison between herself and Marley before... But it was from nobodies, whispers from around the estate.
Akito may have been the head of the Sohma clan, but she was not nearly as approachable as Marley, who had begun getting a reputation around the complex of being helpful and open. Children were especially drawn to her as well.
But Akito could care less what they thought as she was God and was born to be loved while Marley was an outsider, and nothing could ever truly change that. That's what the elders had told Akito, and so God did not let whispers bother her.
They didn't understand the bond she had...
But hearing something like this from one of her Zodiac members... it felt like someone had splashed cold water on her.
"Why aren't they here eating and drinking and dancing...why do they look so happy to be away from you..." The alcohol loosened Shigure's lips a little too much, but he was getting bored and wanted to move things along.
Akito clenched her jaw as she felt her blood go cold. How could he say such words so easily?
"Why are you so unkind to me..." Akito asked as she slightly turned her head to look at him
"I am kind to you." The man simply shrugged but knew that Akito would argue.
"Not kind enough! You were much kinder before!" Akito snapped as she stood over Shigure and glared down at him. The Dog apologized, but it was clear he was being sarcastic as he stood up and excused himself.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I want to go get a 'taco.'" He simply said and left before Akito could stop him. He was tired, a little drunk and kind of hungry.
The young head of the Sohma family sat in the dark, alone. A bitterness growing as she continued to stew about Shigure's words.
"Why aren't they here eating and drinking and dancing around you...why do they look so happy to be away from you..."
"Akito." Kureno spoke through the door, and Akito simply answered with an impatient 'what.'
"I have a message from the main family." at that, Akito walked to the door and slid it open.
"Doing whatever they want again...Just who do they think the family head is?" Akito tsked, annoyed that she had to be called upon for every little thing.
.
.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
.
.
The Dog of the Zodiac walked down the forest path, humming the old song that had been playing in Marley's posts. The sky was beginning to cloud over, and he could tell that a storm was only moments away. The summer home was quiet; the lights appeared to be mostly off except for one in the kitchen and living room.
He clumsily entered the house, alerting the only two were still up as they turned around on the couch to see who it was.
"Shigure! Good evening." Marley smiled warmly at him.
"Shii-Chan!" Momiji waved from his spot on the couch, but the two didn't rise to come over. Shigure sauntered over and leaned on the couch to look over their shoulder to see what they were looking at.
"Woah, who is that handsome, dark-haired stranger." He smirked as he eyed the picture of himself as a teen on the beach. It was a bonfire on the private beach, and Ayame was there along with Hatori and Yuuto Sohma on their guitars. It appeared that Marley and Momiji had found a photo album that had been left in the summer house.
Summer Memories...
Marley was about to ask the young novelist about the photo album, but there was something about his dark eyes that threw her off. She also was met with a wave of the smell of alcohol from Shigure's breath when she turned to fully face him.
"Awwww is the taco shop closed down? Pity." He whined, but Marley was quick to jump to action and was sure they had some leftovers that she could quickly cook up for him.
"Really!? You would do that. Your gonna make the perfect wife, Marley-Chan." Shigure teased.
Momiji agreed, and Marley blushed and laughed it off, leaving Momiji to continue looking through the photo album while she wandered into the kitchen, Shigure closely behind her. While she got a few things out of the fridge, the tipsy Dog watched all her movement, slightly humming as he swayed on the spot.
"You should sit down, Shigure, and I can get you some water." It was relatively silent between the two, and the small pitter pater made Marley look outside.
"Oh, the forecast didn't call for rain... hopefully, it clears up tomorrow night, Momiji and bought so many fireworks."
"Oh, that sounds like fun."
"Shigure.."
"Hmm?"
"You're close with Akito, right?"
"I do try to be." Shigure smirked.
"Do you think that maybe you could convince Akito to join us for fireworks? It's kind of the last opportunity for us all to do something together, and it seems a waste for her to be cooped up in that annex." Marley said this with such genuine care that it made Shigure bristle a bit.
"I don't believe the others would appreciate that." The adult tried to warn, but Marley only tilted her head as she asked why.
He couldn't take this anymore. It pissed him off that this girl who had taken so much could be so naive. The alcohol was certainly making his judgements a little blurry.
"You really are a clueless little girl." Shigure chuckled as he ran a hand through his hair.
"Excuse me?" Marley swore that maybe she had heard Shigure wrong.
"Tell me...how do you feel about the Zodiac members."
"Well... many of them are very dear to me." It was true; some of her most precious people were of the Zodiac.
She loved them. It was as pure and simple as that.
"Right... Right...Kisa is like your little shadow..." Shigure started listing Zodiac members she was more close with, the one's she was close with
"Hatori spent most of his free time at your bedside when you were sick..." There were times that Shigure would call Hatori up, and he would be busy with the white-blonde girl.
"I've heard that you and Rin are as thick as thieves..." Isuzu was famous for shutting herself from the people around her, so Marley becoming friends with her was impressive in itself.
"Even Hiro sees you as a big sister..." The youngest Zodiac member was sarcastic and a smart aleck, so there were few who would even put up with the boy, but Shigure knew it was partly due to Hiro that Marley was even still among the Sohma Family.
"Kyo spends less and less time at the house, it seems, and it's not really a mystery where he is..." Shigure was usually the only one still up when Kyo finally returned to the house in the evening.
"But yet you remain clueless to the one that hurts them and even shower her in love and attention...tell me. Do you know about Hatori's eye?" Shigure eyed Marley like a hawk, watching the confused look in her eyes with mirth.
He did enjoy playing with people; it was a small joy.
"He fell into a mirror-"
"Pfft he fell... When Hatori and Kana asked Akito for permission to marry... Akito lost her temper and .." Shigure tapped his eye to bring the point home, and Marley's eyes widened.
"And Kisa's hospital stay? She took a rough tumble down the stairs. Yuki... he took a lot of tumbles when he was locked into that room. And Rin... a very nasty fall that almost cost her life."
"Didn't you ever wonder... why everyone always gets so quiet when Akito is mentioned... how the air becomes so thick you could cut it with a knife?"
"Yet you happily stayed by her side-" Marley didn't even hear the rest, too lost in her brain as she felt her senses blur, and her throat went dry as she stepped backwards from Shigure, who was almost smirking at her.
"Don't believe me? Maybe you should go ask God yourself?" Shigure prodded as he took in Marley's wide eyes and shaken form. She had no words as she swiftly left the house, not even bothering to close the door behind her. Grey eyes watched her run into the rain, her white-blonde hair disparaging down the path.
"Shii-Chan? Where did Marley go?" The blonde boy asked from the couch as he finished looking through the photo album and noticed that Shigure was alone in the kitchen, walking over with the album in hand and laying it on the kitchen table as he looked out the front door that was left open.
While the young Rabbit continued to ask questions, Shigure looked at the photo album that Momiji and Marley had been looking through. He flipped through the pages; many photos of a younger Tetsuo Sohma, his late wife and a young Yuto enjoyed the Sohma beach resort.
It was weird seeing pictures of Yuto's mother as she had been the Dog of the Zodiac before him, but the current Dog couldn't see himself having anything in common with the kind-looking women who had been known for her warm nature.
Especially right now.
Flipping through the pages was like travelling through time. That's what Yuto used to say, at least, and he wasn't wrong. When Shigure came across him and his friends in the pictures, he remembered simpler times, happier times. There would always be a struggle due to the way life was and the weighted burden of living with a curse.
Yuto, though while not cursed, was empathetic towards the cursed members and became a mentor and older brother figure to the Dragon, Snake, Dog and the Rooster of the Zodiac. His patient ways and optimistic nature saw the boys through tough times, and he taught them many things and fought for them to find their own paths, even when faced with barriers.
And then he left; Yuto Sohma had fallen in love with a beautiful foreigner who had a young child.
Yuto left the Sohma family, ran away into the arms of something more...normal.
When they returned 10 years later, Shigure was it lowest that he had ever been. Practically thrown out of the main estate after trying to get revenge for a broken heart. Yuto had seen him wasting away in the empty house and wanted to make it better, telling Shigure that he would fix things, that it will get better. Yuto was excited to bring the people he loved most in this world together and create a big family.
"You'll love her, she's a little goofball with a curiosity for the world that never seems to be filled."
"When you're ready, I'll introduce you."
"We'll all be a family."
And then he was really gone.
Leaving a child who reminded Shigure so much of Yuto despite not sharing blood. She had his smile and shared the same compassionate heart.
And here he was sending her to God to try and break her.
Momiji watched as the strange smug look on the Dog's face before the man hid his face behind his hand, a strange laugh leaving his lips.
"I... really am... The dirtiest soul..." He mumbled as he sat there, looking back and forth between the small plate that Marley had left him and the door she had left.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but he found himself unable to even touch the food and finally got up and headed towards the door, but not before suggesting that Momiji go to bed due to the late hour.
Shigure slowly stumbled up the path, stopping for a moment to lean on a tree, and it felt like all his insides were on fire and needed to be let out.
So he did, right next to the tree.
His throat burned, and the smell was disgusting, but Shigure chuckled a bit as he wiped his mouth. Thunder cracked above him, and it helped to sober him up even more. The storm was loud, and the wind began to whip, and the Dog could only hope that that storm would quickly pass and not leave too much damage in her wake.
.
.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
.
.
Marley felt like every breath was needles instead of air as she ran up the path to the annex.
All this time...
Marley looked back at all the memories.
Kisa...
Isuzu...
Yuki's face when Akito arrived
Everyone's demeanour...
Had she truly been that ignorant to all their pain?
Marley had witnessed Akito's small tantrums but never imagined that she was abusing her family.
Why wouldn't they tell me?
The only time Akito had truly become angry with her was when Marley had brought up Kyo becoming part of the inner Zodiac... the ink that was splattered over Marley when Akito lost her temper.
Was that... just a small glimpse
Was this why everyone always seemed on edge when I mentioned Akito... why they always seemed to ask if I was okay...
Please don't let it be...
"Marley-Sama I-" A maid with light brown hair and fringe was surprised to see the young woman practically burst through the front doors of the annex, a frazzled look on the ordinarily cheerful girl.
"I'm here to see Akito." Marley stated, not bothering with greetings, and the maid bowed and apologized.
"Akito-Sama has been called back to the main house and is getting ready to leave." The maid tried to explain, but Marley couldn't wait.
"It's urgent. I need to speak with Akito." Marley's large eyes and tall stature was certainly intimidating, and the maid had never seen anything but a kind smile on the adopted Sohma's face and could tell that she was not backing down. The maid gulped and bowed her head and led Marley down the hall, knocking and announcing Marley's arrival.
But Marley hardly waited and opened the door with force, flooding light in the darkroom where Akito was just changing into a black dress shirt.
"Ah, Marley... what a pleasant-"
"We need to talk." Marley was shaking but was trying to hide it, trying to maybe convince herself that just maybe... Shigure was lying to her.
Because if he wasn't...Marley would never be able to forgive herself for being so blind.
"This needs to wait, we'll talk when you return to the estate." Akito tried to wave Marley off as she buttoned up her shirt. But Marley wasn't having it; she couldn't wait another second.
She had to know now.
"NO! We're talking now." Marley snapped, and Akito glared, not appreciating the tone or the way Marley was looking at her.
Is she...ordering me around? Me?!
"I have more pressing matters than to deal with your hysterics." The dark-haired head of the Sohma tried to brush her off, but Marley grabbed Akito by the shoulders and made her face her, her eyes were glassy with tears, and she was clearly shaken by something.
"... I need you, to be honest with me..." Marley asked, not breaking eye contact, and Akito waited for her to continue.
"Have... have you ever hurt anyone?"
"Excuse me?" Akito raised a brow, and Marley decided to ask again.
"Have you ever... hurt one of the Zodiac members?" Marley prayed that Akito would outright deny it. It was awkward question to ask but there should only be on right answer.
"How so?"
It wasn't what Marley wanted to hear; she was hoping for 'I would never!' but... maybe she needed to be more precise with her questions.
"Kyo said you two got in a fight."
"You're bringing him up again." Akito groaned as if even mentioning the boy cursed with the Cat spirit was a chore.
"He didn't lay a hand on you... did he..." But Kyo still had a slight bruise on his face, even hours after the supposed 'fight'.
"Who else?"
"This is none of your business." Akito was outright glaring at Marley now, an uncomfortable feeling in her chest, and the hairs on the back of her neck were standing on end. She wanted to run away from the look that Marley was giving her, but the amethyst eyed girl kept her there.
"How did Hatori hurt his eye?"
"This? I told you already, it was that woman's fault." Akito brushed it off, but Marley pushed forward.
"How? How was it Kana's fault?"
"She had the nerve to try and take him from me." Akito said as if it was obvious, and Marley's fears just began to grow.
"...Did you hurt Hatori's eye?"
"I can't believe this, it's really none of your concern."
"When Kisa was fell and got all those injuries...how did she fall?"
Marley clearly remembered the day well. She had been at the gymnasium practicing her aerial silks when the receptionist told her she had a call. Marley recalled the way her heart dropped when she heard Kisa's mother's distraught voice as she tried to explain that Kisa was in the hospital.
Even running into Akito at the hospital after she met Kisa's mother in the lobby.
The elevator door opened, and a surprising figure stepped out, clad in dark pants and a black turtleneck, onyx eyes staring into mine.
"Akito-Sama? What are you doing here?" Asked the worried mother as she held onto my wrist and clamped down tightly, moving slightly in front of me.
"Just checking on dear little Kisa, I was distraught, you see. I hate seeing any of my precious Zodiac members in pain. I just had a quick word is all, but now I must head back." Akito spoke to Kisa's mother and then turned her sights on me.
There was an odd air of malice in the air, all-round, I felt the air grow cold, and I felt like I couldn't breathe.
Akito stepped fully out of the elevator and reached for my free hand, caressing the back of my hand with her thumb. For a comforting gesture, it made my instincts scream...
"Kisa's waiting for me... I have to go." I stated, struggling past the lump in my throat as I pulled my hand out of her grip and walked into the elevator with Kisa's mother.
A hand latched on my wrist tightly right before the elevator door closed. Akito squeezed my wrist, trying to tug me towards her, but Kisa's mother held onto my other arm firmly, keeping me by her side.
"Marley.." Akito let out as she looked at me with pleading eyes, her mood seeming to sway right before my eyes. I looked over at the petite woman beside me and told her it was okay, and Kisa's mother unlatched from my arm. I quickly wrapped up my arms around Akito and rubbed her back.
"Go home, Akito. I'll see you back at the estate." I promised as I pulled out of the hug and squeezed her arms lightly before stepping back into the elevator, barely catching the glare Akito sent my way before the doors closed.
I knew... something was wrong... but I shook off the feeling... truly just thinking that I was imagining things...
"...Hiro told me that he loved Kisa... I was merely showing that girl her place." Akito shrugged as if it was no different than sending a child to the corner for a time out.
Could Akito truly not understand what she had down to Kisa...
Sweet Kisa...who would never hurt a fly... put in the hospital for merely existing...
Marley would never forget that scene of her covered in bandages, her gold eyes filled with tears as she reached for the white-blonde as she called out, her voice so soft and broken sounding.
She had been so scared... in so much pain...and all I could do was sit by her bedside when I'm sure... there was something more I could have done...
Marley was shaking, her long nails piercing into her palms as she clenched her fists. No one told her... they all lied and said it was just a fall. They knew what Akito had done and let Marley continue to be friends with someone who hurt someone precious to her.
Did it hurt Kisa... did it hurt whenever I mentioned that I had spent time with Akito?
Her heart was breaking, but she felt like she deserved it, and Marley went back to the conversation with Shigure. She had been hoping that the Dog of the Zodiac was pulling her leg, playing some sort of cruel prank, but he was simply telling her the truth.
The ugly truth...
"No...no..no,no" Marley cried as she fell to her knees and her hands dropped to the tatami mat as she stared at the floor, breathing became more challenging.
I'm gonna be sick...
"Please tell that you didn't push Isuzu out that window..."
"I was simply doing everyone a favor. No one wanted her." Akito said those words so easily, and Marley felt her heart crack in two.
Who was this person?
Who was this cruel, twisted soul?
Marley looked at Akito, and she didn't see the somewhat awkward girl she had gotten to know. The Akito that Marley had come to know was kind in her own way, a little on the quiet side but with a temper now and then. She was insecure when it came to certain things, and she recognized the loneliness in Akito's eyes as Marley herself had been lonely for years.
This person's eyes were... deranged and unstable.
Who are you?
"How... Could you- I...Why?!" The way Marley was looking at Akito... it scared the God. Marley's eyes were full of tears, and they were flowing down her cheeks. The amethyst eyes were full of hurt, betrayal, anger.
Marley was thinking of all the pain in their eyes, her precious friends who carried the weight of the curse and was subject to the abuse that came from someone who should have been caring for them.
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Marley practically launched herself at Akito and brought her down to the ground, straddling her as she continued to question her.
"I thought you loved them! I thought you said you were God of the Zodiac!?" Marley couldn't understand how someone could treat others this way.
"I AM GOD!" Akito yelled back as she tried to push Marley off, but the white-blonde could not be pushed away so easily.
"God shouldn't treat their people like this! God should love them! Protect them! Care for them!" Marley was not all that religious, but she knew what kind of God she wanted to believe in.
"They are not 'people'! They are freaks, and they were born waiting for me; they don't care how I treat them; they will always love me as I am their reason for living." Akito defended her actions. Her logic was so twisted, so selfish that it almost left Marley speechless.
"...No."
"No?"
"They are not freaks! They are people! Human beings with dreams and hopes. Joys and fears and you... you've been abusing their love..all this time. They are just... human, and you are not their God..." Marley's grip loosened as it seemed her burst of anger had disputed, and a pang of sadness took place.
"You would never understand, you're an outsider." Akito scoffed, refusing to truly take in Marley's words as she didn't like being painted as some sort of villain.
"I am god, they are mine to rule over, and they are only here on this earth to love me... what does it matte-"
"How can you not see... how terrible you are to them. You've hurt them in so many ways...and I..." Marley covered her mouth as she backed away, thinking of all the wrong she had done.
How much time she spent with Akito, how many laughs they shared and all those memories.
Were they false?
Because Akito had been abusing her family while Marley was put in the dark...
Did I ever know you? Truly know you?
No... Marley had gotten to know Akito. Marley never saw the woman as the head of the house or 'God'. Those memories they had created, they were real, they had felt real. The meals they had shared together, the walks they had taken. Marley didn't spend time with Akito because of some ancient bond. It was because that Marley had found a friend in the dark-eyed girl.
Marley felt the air in the room become heavy, and she felt that this was no longer the Akito she had come to know.
"What does it matter to you. They are not yours... Besides... you said that you loved me, was that a lie?" Akito tucked a piece of hair behind Marley's ear, being tender with the long white-blonde locks.
"Akito... I think you're very sick... I think you need help." Marley saw so much pain in the Sohma family, she wasn't sure what she could do, but she had to start somewhere. She had to try.
"This... bond you think you have... I think it consumed you...I think you need to find a way to... Break it." Marley knew that as soon as that final word left her lips that all hell would break loose. But it was the truth of the matter.
The 'bond' needed to end. Because it wasn't a bond at all, it was nothing but a curse, but Marley knew that Akito didn't see it that way.
"I do have a bond! It's unbreakable! You don't care about me... you're just a pretender... you were only nice to me to get something, weren't you... YOU WERE TRYING TO TRCIK ME!" Akito gripped Marley's hair tightly and forced her head up to look at her, as her long nails dug into Marley's scalp. But Marley didn't budge; she just continued on.
"I'm not trying to trick you... I want to help you. This isn't a bond... not when you hurt them for simply existing... How could this ever lead to happiness...this thing... This curse-" Marley was thrown to the floor, and Akito unleashed the girl's hair and stepped back. Her entire body was shaking, and tears had started to form.
"NO!" Akito was clutching her head as if she was in pain, her head and heart splitting in two, it seemed.
"YES IT IS! THIS ISN'T A BOND OR LOVE! What... what you're doing to them is wrong, Akito!" Marley argued.
"Shut up."
"We need to find a way-"
"Stop it!"
"-To break it."
"I SAID TO SHUT UP!" Marley caught the flash of Akito's eyes before she felt a sharp jab to her temple, and everything felt woozy like she saw double as she crawled along the tatami mat trying to pull herself together.
"YOU WERE WORKING WITH THAT WOMAN WEREN'T YOU! TO MAKE A FOOL OF ME!" Akito accused Marley as images of the devil woman with long black hair flashed in her mind.
It was the only thing that made sense. It had been a plot all along, hadn't it? It was why Marley spent so much time with the Zodiacs and fooled them into thinking that she could love them even with their strange forms.
IT was all to get back at Akito. It had to be...
That was the only thing that made sense to her, and now it was time for a lesson to be learned.
"Looks like you need to learn your place too."
Everything felt like it was spinning as Marley felt her body being weighed down around her midsection. Akito was straddling her, keeping her from being able to move much.
"They... will always return to me... they are only born to love me..." Marley felt a slice in her right arm and started to scream in pain, but her mouth was quickly stuffed by a cloth of some sort.
"Quiet... I need to concentrate...may this remind you... That you will be nothing in this family. But an outsider." Marley's skin felt like it was on fire as she tried to kick her feet to get up, but Akito's rage was intense, and she used her weight to keep Marley down.
Akito spoke to her, but Marley was barely able to pick up a few words now and then through the agonizing pain.
"I'll teach you... you will never be able to tear us apart..."
"They all return to me..."
"...locked away..."
"Til the rest of his days."
The burning feeling and the smell of iron along with the
"They will stay forever by my side and love only me. Endless banquets."
Another slice in her skin and Marley's world turned black, the pain and the stress too much as her body simply shut down, only hearing a few last words before the darkness took over.
"You won't take them from me."
.
.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
.
.
Momiji waited... and waited.
He knew he should have been sleeping, but he didn't want to go. Not till he saw Marley walk back through the front door. Shigure had been strange when he left to go back to the annex, mentioning that Momiji should go to bed, but he just had a terrible feeling in his chest.
He saw a figure walk up the front steps through the rain, and he ran out to greet her.
But it wasn't who he was waiting for.
"Akito?" Momiji asked as he approached the figure in the night.
"What's up? It's so late." Momiji was going to ask if Akito had seen Marley on his walk over but didn't get a chance.
"Tohru Honda-San. I've come to see her." Akito simply stated, but Momiji could sense that something was terribly wrong.
"I have to head back. Something urgent came up. But I realized. That I haven't seen Tohru Honda-San yet."
"Now? But I'm sure Tohru is sleeping." Momiji tried to reason, but Akito wasn't having it.
"Wake her up."
"... No..." This one small word took so much of the Rabbit's strength, but he wanted to protect the ones he loved.
"Akito, right now... I can tell that you're angry. And when you're... you take it out on other people. You shouldn't do that."
The silence was terrifying.
"Akito... what's the matter? What are you so upset about?" Momiji tried to ask, hoping that this would be enough to stop Akito in his need to see Tohru for whatever reason.
"Has... something happened?"
"What good would knowing that do you? You want to know more about me? You... want to understand me? Whatever for?" Akito mocked, and those dark eyes seemed to be unhinged.
"YOU MAKE ME SICK!" Akito snapped as he backhanded Momiji sending the boy back a bit.
"You? Understand me? You just want to look down on me! YOU JUST WANT TO DEFINE ME WITH YOUR OH-SO-SUPERIOR LOGIC!" Akito raised their hand again, ready to strike again.
"PLEASE STOP!" A new voice entered a fray as they franticly jumped in, and Tohru placed herself between Akito and Momiji.
"Stop... please stop this." Tohru pleaded, and Akito could only glare down at the Brunnett in disgust.
"Stop? You're giving me an order? That's terrible. Awful. You're a nasty person." Akito scoffed.
"Akito-"
"But Tohru? Tohru Honda. I've come here to see you. No matter how rude you are to me, there's something I want to tell you. Don't get conceited. You and her... that woman. Low life scum!" Akito walked closer to the girl, neither one noticing that Momiji had run off into the forest path.
"If you think you can save Yuki and Kyo... you should be ashamed of that ignorance. I'll share something with you." Akito cradled Tohu's face, and the teenager felt frozen with fear, Akito's aura was overpowering.
"I'll tell you a little secret about Kyo." Akito smirked, enjoying how Tohru seemed to cower in her presence.
"Once he finishes high school... he's going to be locked away. Just like the previous Cat. Forever. Until he dies." Tohru's eyes widened, not wanting to believe the words coming out Akito's mouth.
"As for Yuki, he'll come back to the Sohma compound. He'll be at my side. Everyone will. They'll live and die there. All of the members of Zodiac will be together. Living in the same place, at the same place." Akito's face looked towards the sky, a small smile on her face, and Tohru tried to understand what she was hearing.
"They will take nothing... and nothing will be taken from them. Forever... their lives will never change."
"A future filled with happiness. A banquet without end...nothing will ever change...and you are not invited."
"Is that really happiness?" Tohru asked, genuinely wondering if anyone could consider that happiness.
"Locking someone away, forcing others to return to the Sohma house...Is that really-"
"Would you stop talking. Honestly... you and that fool really need to learn your place." Akito spat, and Tohru found herself curious about who Akito was speaking off as Akito placed a hand on Tohru's cheek.
That fool?
"In the Sohma family, we have a different way of life than an outsider like you. Your frail sense of value isn't up to judging what's good and evil." Akito spoke with confidence and no room for argument.
"...You... who are you?... In the Zodiac, which one are you?" Tohru asked. She had thought that maybe Akito was the bird of the Zodiac, but that didn't feel right. Tohru could feel Akito's nails, the pressure digging into the skin of her cheek, but she was frozen.
Who else was left? Tohru heard her Mother's voice telling her the story of the Zodiac and the banquet.
"Long, long ago... God said to the animals... God..."
"To the members of the Zodiac... I am their God." Akito's nail's slid across Tohru's cheek, and she felt and burning sensation. Akito was about to say more, but right before Tohru's eyes, the Zodiac God was gone, and she was staring at inked angel wings.
"I don't know who you are, but you lay another hand on her, I'll knock you out clean, and someone will be picking up your teeth off the ground." The tall male stood protectively in front of Tohru, wearing nothing but some dark sweatpants as rain pelted down on the three in the front yard.
"Miguel-Kun!"
Tohru tried to step out from behind him, but the boy held out his arm on instinct to keep her back, but Tohru could peek over and, Miguel had grabbed Akito by the neck and was easily holding him off the ground with his free hand so he could stare straight into Akito's eyes.
This aura was terrifying; Miguel was a large boy, and his muscles in his arms were hard to miss, but it wasn't only that. It was the dark look in those green eyes and scowl on his mouth.
"Please! Put Akito-San down." Kureno called as he walked into the yard.
"Ah... so this is Akito...pathetic." Miguel huffed, and he felt a small squeeze on his left arm and looked down to see large brown eyes; their softness and tears seem to be begging him. Miguel let out a sigh and let Akito drop like a doll. Kureno ran over to see if Akito needed his help, but Akito slapped his hand away.
"You can't treat me like this! Do you know who I-" But Miguel's stare was not a joke, and he was not impressed. It was clear that Miguel did not care who Akito was.
"Pinche Pendejo." Miguel spat; the bite was apparent even if no one could understand the words.
"Come along, Kureno. This was a waste of my time." Akito's final words as he walked away, and the auburn man could only bow his head in a slight apology to the two teens before following along.
"Miguel-Kun I-."
"Damn... I should have knocked him out when I had a chance." Miguel tsked as he looked over the three scratches on Tohru's pale face.
"Momiji-Kun! He was hurt!" Tohru looked around for the young blonde boy, but he was nowhere to be seen.
.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.
.
.
"Tori-San! Shii-Chan!" Momiji called out through the large annex, but the place seemed to be in disarray as a maid rushed past him, barely acknowledging him.
The Rabbit followed the maid and ended up in a hallway outside the quarters that Akito had been staying in. A few maids were standing out in the hallway, whispering amongst themselves and frightened looks on their faces.
"Momiji-San. You shouldn't be here." One of the maids tried to steer him away from the now open door, but he ducked under and moved forward to see what they all seemed to be talking about.
Hatori was in the room, his medic kit open on the table, and Momiji could hear the doctor asking questions but getting no answer. Momiji spotted Shigure in the corner, his hand covering his face, but his stance seemed sullen.
The boy felt like he was five years old again, and he was seeing his mother with her flowing yellow blonde hair splayed across the floor as she curled up in a ball, blood on the floor and a pair of scissors with blood on it the table.
Except it wasn't his mother. It was Marley, and she was currently having her right forearm bandaged up by Hatori, another bandage apparent on her temple as well, a bit of blood showing through.
"Marley, look at the light, please." Hatori flashed a small little light in front of the girl, and she barely seemed to react.
"Seems to be in shock still. But her pupils aren't blown, so she doesn't seem to have a concussion." Hatori sighed the exhaustion and stress showing in his shoulders.
"Marley?" Momiji called out.
"Momiji? What are you doing here?" Hatori didn't want Momiji or any of the others to see, and Marley was so out of it that she didn't even hear Momiji's voice.
"Akito... He's at the house and Tohru." Momiji remembered why he had come here, but he was still trying to get a look at the girl who was sitting on the floor behind Hatori, her heads facing the floor, her long hair hiding her face.
Shigure walked over and tried to walk Momiji out, but his reflexes were quicker, and he ran to Marley's side, looking into her eyes, which seemed dead, almost like she was lost in a trance.
"M-Ma-Marley-Chan?" Momiji called out as he reached out and touched her unbandaged arm. He called again, and Marley turned her head slightly to look at him, raising her right arm and lightly ghosting over the forming bruise that Akito had left on Momiji's cheek.
It was such a gentle and warm touch, one that Momiji had been dreaming of, but he hadn't wanted it like this. Tears began to gather in Marley's eyes as she didn't need to ask where the mark had come from.
"I'm so sorry..I-" Marley's apology was cut off by Momiji throwing himself onto her, and Marley wrapped her arms around his torso. His human form staying longer than ever before as he willfully tried to hold off the transformation, wanting to feel the embrace to its fullest before he disappeared into a poof, and Marley held his small rabbit body to her heart.
Their tears falling from their eyes onto the bloody Tatami mat as the rain continued to pound on the roof.
.
.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
.
.
"What the hell was that asshole's problem?" The teen asked, and Tohru got flustered over the language, but Miguel sighed as he continued to look through the first aid kit. Tohru steered the conversation another way, complimenting Miguel's skill with patching her up.
It was only a few scratches on her face, but Miguel still hated seeing any harm coming to the girl.
"Marley had to patch me up a few times... actually picked up a few things." Miguel dabbed a bit of ointment on the scratches on Tohru's cheeks, trying to be as gentle as he could.
It was so confusing as he got up only to get a glass of water and saw Haru, Yuki, and Kyo crowded by a window, and Miguel looked to see what had them all up. The Latin American boy saw some shady looking character in black laying his hands on Tohru and didn't need to be told anything as he moved as quick as lightning down the stairs and out the door to shove the man away.
Tohru had looked too scared, and Miguel wished he could have beaten up the rich boy.
"I... I thought you were an angel..." Tohru mentioned in a soft voice, and Miguel thought he must have heard it wrong.
"Huh?"
"I- I was scared and then... It was like you dropped from heaven."
"If you ever meet my Mom, please don't tell her that... I'll never hear the end of it."
"Why?" Tohru was curious to hear more about Miguel's family. He still seemed like a mystery to her, and she wanted to hold on to every word he told her.
"She named me after the archangel, kind of... My given name is Miguel Angel... After the archangel Michael." Miguel admitted, hoping his cheeks weren't too red out of embarrassment. He definitely didn't feel like an angel.
"That's beautiful. You're like a guardian angel." Tohru's kind words made the boy's heart pump a little faster.
Miguel rolled his eyes, but his blush was evident, asking Tohru to sit still as he gently placed the bandage on her face. He wanted to scoff at the idea of him being any kind of guardian, especially when he felt like he was too late to stop Akito from hurting Tohru.
He didn't know what was going on, but he wished he was stronger to stop anything from hurting the girl with a smile as bright as the moon that was beginning to peek through the clouds.
The storm had finally passed.
At least that's how it seemed.
Hatori and Shigure had dropped by, checking in after Momiji had run off to get them. Shigure was quieter than normal, an odd look in his eyes, and when Miguel and Tohru asked about Momiji, they mentioned he was sleeping at the annex tonight.
It was strange, but the two adults didn't linger; Hatori had to leave with Akito, and Shigure went to bed, leaving Miguel and Tohru alone in the kitchen.
Tohru seemed to have a lot on her mind, and Miguel wasn't sure if she wanted to talk, so he found a deck of cards and tried to teach her a few games. The distraction had worked well enough, and the two played and talked for a few hours until Tohru couldn't seem to keep her eyes open any longer, and Miguel sent her to bed.
The girl was so tired she hadn't realized that someone was missing from the large shared bed.
.
.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
.
.
The last day at the beach house seemed to last a lifetime, almost dragging on. Marley had crawled into bed at the summer house only moments before Tohru and Kisa got up and had ended up. Tohru was surprised to see her and tried to wake her for breakfast, but Marley simply said she wasn't hungry and fell back asleep.
Marley's eyes didn't open for the rest of the day, barely shifting from her curled-up position in the bed. Even when Tohru and Kisa asked if she wanted to go to the beach with them, Marley only curled in tighter and insisted the go without her.
The weather was beautiful, the sky clear after the rain last night, and the temperature was perfect for playing in the ocean. But the air around the Sohma's and their guests felt off, Miguel was in a sour mood, and Tohru tried to bring up everyone's spirits, but it was clear that people's minds were elsewhere.
They returned for an early dinner, and Kyo found himself loitering in the upstairs hallway, eyeing the door to the room Marley was sleeping in. He wanted to see her, talk to her. Ask if she was okay, make sure she was alright.
Tohru came into the hallway to check on Marley and ask if she was up for eating something, but seeing Kyo made her pause.
It was hard not to look at Kyo without remembering Akito's words.
But she would never say she knew, what was one supposed to say about such a cruel future.
"Kyo-Kun, do you want to ask Marley-Chan if she wants to come down for dinner?"
"What? No.. doesn't matter to me." He got defensive, but Tohru knew better. Kyo was worried, just like everyone else, it seemed. The brunette carefully opened the door, flooding the darkroom with a small sliver of light. Marley had not moved, still in the same position that it seemed she had been in this morning.
Tohru tried once more to get Marley up for food, but the girl didn't rise, mentioning she would eat later, and Tohru said she would put aside a plate for her.
The orange-haired boy continued to hang out in the hall, he wasn't sure what he waiting for, but he couldn't tear himself away.
All he wanted... was to check on Marley but-
"Kyo?" A high voice broke through the silence, and the Cat nearly jumped out of his skin and turned to see Momiji staring up at him.
"Tyna kill me? Jesus, you have quiet footsteps." Kyo scolded him.
"What the hell happened last night?" Kyo asked Momiji, who looked at the ground. Marley had asked Momiji not to tell anyone.
"I... I can't say...But... I feel like nothing's going to be the same when we leave.." Momiji told him, and Kyo could sense something had indeed changed; there was even an air of maturity around the younger Blonde. It only made Kyo want to ask more questions about the night before.
"I wanted to make happy memories with Marley and Tohru so bad..." Momiji's eyes started to fill with tears, and Kyo couldn't help but sympathize. Marley had been talking about a trip to the beach before summer vacation had even started, excited about all the little things from playing in the sand to watermelon smashing.
Now, on the final day of their summer vacation, Marley was in hiding and Momiji and Tohru had bandages on their faces.
How did we end up here...why did it end up like this
Tohru stepped back out and was surprised to see the two boys waiting in the hall.
"She coming to dinner?" Kyo asked, and Tohru just shook her head.
"Do you think Marley-Chan will be able to join is for fireworks? We bought so many, and she loves fireworks." Momiji wanted to see Marley smiling again.
Tohru suggested they eat dinner first, and then Momiji could maybe ask Marley himself before they left for fireworks.
Marley could faintly hear everything in the hallway, and it made her tear up and curl deeper into herself. She felt like she was letting them down.
Marley wished she could be with them.
The throbbing pain in her arm didn't subside; she supposed she could have taken some pain medicine. But she couldn't bring herself to do it, choosing to let the pain stay.
It's what I deserve.
She just wanted to disappear, and her mind began to drift away again, falling into a deep sleep once more while she heard the faint sounds of everyone heading down to the beach for fireworks.
The air just felt strained somehow, it was clear that Tohru, Miguel and Momiji were trying to keep up spirits, but the Cat of the Zodiac just found it hard to be on that beach and enjoy fireworks without Marley.
"You should go." Haru spoke to him, and the two shared a look, and the duo hair boy nodded to the stairs as everyone was distracted by some sparklers. Kyo scoffed and started making his way back to the house back towards the summer home.
Slipping off his shoes, he walked back upstairs and stood outside Marley's door once more.
"Starting to feel a bit like a creep or something." Kyo softly groaned as he rubbed the back of his neck, he knew he probably shouldn't just be standing outside someone's door like this, but he just had this terrible feeling.
"Marley?" He tried calling but nothing, so he tried again.
"Whatever... whatever is going on. If you need to talk about or... just want someone to sit with, and you can cry, and I'll hand you tissues or something." He bargained, but again there was nothing.
Was she even there?
"Dammit... I'm coming in!" Kyo warned, his voice louder than before, and he opened the door.
The room was dark, the cloth curtains were closed, but the lump on the bed was unmistakable. Kyo walked over to the side, and he could make out her resting face in the low moonlight that was sneaking into the room from the small cracks in the curtains.
Her long hair seemed to flow wildly around her, and she was curled up in the light duvet as well as wearing a thick dark green sweater that looked more appropriate for fall than summer. Kyo also noticed a white square bandage on her temple and small streaks of dried tears on her cheeks.
Why? Why are you hiding in here... Why are you crying?
"I'm here for you...just tell me what you need." The words slipped out as he leaned closer to her face, Kyo waited, but there was no response. Kyo even lightly touched her wrist to check for a pulse; she just seemed so still.
"Goodnight, Marley..." And Kyo finally removed himself from her side, taking one last look at her curled-up form before closing the door and went to his own room, sliding into bed, and a feeling of failure washed over him as he tried to sleep.
He wanted to be the one she could lean on if something was wrong... he didn't want her to shut herself away.
The thought of her crying alone just pissed him off, but he didn't know who to start a fight with. It was frustrating, caring for another human being this much.
.
.
..-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
.
.
Marley stared up at the fading stars, the waves' calming sound, and a faint call of early morning birds. She had woken up in the middle of the night and found herself unable to go back to sleep. So, she snuck out and walked down to the beach, lost in her thoughts.
She thought of those precious to her.
Those who had gone.
Those who were still here.
Slowly, out of that never-ending darkness, peaks of pinks and oranges began to overpower the dark blue of night. Marley looked down at her bandaged right forearm and slowly started unravelling the stained fabric.
The still bright red markings on her skin almost looked angry. It was painful to look at and made her heart crack as well as eyes water. She already knew that it would scar.
A painful reminder of that night.
Then Marley looked back out at the ocean, the calm waves and the sun peeking over. It was still so early, and the beach was so secluded that there was no other soul around.
She was alone
The water looked beautiful and inviting, but still, a part of her was always scared of it, despite knowing how to swim thanks to her step-father. Sometimes she looked at the water and remembered the cruelty of people. The kids who had tried to drown her in the local river because they hated her... based on her strange looks and her mixed blood.
Hateful things they had learned from their close-minded families.
It had been years, but there were things that Marley carried with her, words that felt like knives.
"Witch!"
"Her parents don't even want her! I heard her mother left her as soon as she was born."
"Ugly!"
"She doesn't belong here!"
"Outsider!"
Cruelty was all around, and just when she thought that she escaped it, it turns out she had befriended a cruel person and was blind to the pain they were causing her loved ones.
She needed help but didn't know where to turn or who to ask.
The girl began to strip herself of her sweater and stepped out of her jean shorts, leaving them on the sand. She walked towards the water; it was cold as her feet dipped in, but she kept moving forward. Taking in a deep breath before she dived in.
Letting the ocean take her.
.
.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
.
.
Kyo rubbed the sweat off his forehead as he slowed down from a run to a gentle jog. They weren't heading back home for another hour or so, which meant he had time for one last jog on the sand.
But as he slowed down, he took a look at the sand and noticed something odd.
A familiar green sweater, a pair of jean shorts and a long white bandage had faint traces of red on it.
"What the hell?" Kyo asked as he picked up the sweater and looked around the beach before finally looking towards the water.
Standing out in the ocean, the water coming up to around her mid-back, stood a girl with long white-blonde hair. Marley's back was to Kyo as she just stood there, looking out past the horizon.
"MARLEY! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Kyo yelled, but she didn't move, not an inch.
"OI! ARE YOU INSANE!"
Kyo couldn't understand, and a feeling of rage overcame him as he asked himself various questions.
Why was she out here?
Why was she alone?
What if something happened?
Was she hurt?
Is she ignoring me?
Kyo groaned and started stomping his way over, walking straight through the water fully dressed, yelling all the way as he fought against the soft waves to get to Marley.
When he was finally within reach, he grabbed her by the shoulders and made her face him, her large eyes widening in shock as she stared at him.
"Kyo?! What are you doing here?"
"Me? What about you? I've been calling and who swims this early in the morning by themselves. What if something happened!"
"I- I just wanted to go for one last swim was all..."
"Do you have any idea how worried I- Everyone was!"
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make anyone worry. I didn't know what else to do..." Marley bowed her head a bit, and Kyo let out a sigh, his grip on her shoulders loosening a bit. Now that the initial shock of seeing Marley out was over, he now took the time to take her in. And his skin went hot as his eyes travelled down and a realization washed over him.
"WHY AREN'T WEARING ANY CLOTHES!" Kyo yelled as he stumbled back through the water and turned around, his cheeks as bright as the red hoodie he was wearing.
Marley let out a small scream as she realized that she had been skinny dipping and dunked herself in the water and covered her chest with her arms.
"I forgot! I didn't think anyone would be here for a bit, and I didn't think-"
"Damn straight you didn't think!" The image of Marley's wet form wasn't leaving Kyo's brain, his heart was racing, and he was praying for his body to behave. Marley's hair had been essentially covering her breasts, but the sight of her standing before him like that.
The teenager's hormones were running wild, and his heart felt like it was going to jump right out of his chest it was beating so fast.
Kyo slipped of the short-sleeved hoodie he had been wearing and peeking over his shoulder to see if Marley was still there. She was, and she was turned away from him, still dunked in the water with only her head peeking out.
Marley felt something draped overhead.
"Wear...this." Kyo had taken off his short-sleeved hoodie so Marley could have something to wear. And hopefully then the teenage boy would be able to put together a proper sentence. It wasn't like he had never seen a naked girl before, he had seen Kagura now and then, and friends had tried to share perverse pictures with him. But none of that compared to the feeling he got in his heart when his orange eyes taken in her beautiful form.
"Oh... Thank you." Marley carefully stood up in the water and slipped on the red hoodie, zipping it up to the highest point that she could.
"You can turn around now." Marley told him and the two teens facing were still flushed, both embarrassed over the event.
"...Are you..okay?"
Kyo expected Marley to lie and say she was fine. But she stared at him for a bit, as if she was really thinking about it. She took in a deep breath before shaking her head.
"You wanna tell me what you're doing out in the middle of the ocean?" Kyo asked as he really was stumped; there were times that he thought he could tell what was on the girl's mind as she tended to wear her heart on her sleeve, but there were moments that she was a complete mystery.
"... I used to be afraid of the water.." Marley admitted, and Kyo tilted his head as he listened.
"An incident happened when I was younger, and I nearly drowned. I didn't go near the water for years, and no one pushed me to get past this fear..." Marley didn't know if her Mama ever found out about the incident as she just seemed to accept that her child had no interest in going swimming.
"Until Mama got married and Bapu learned that I didn't know how to swim." A small smile appeared on her lips when she remembered the look of shock on his face.
"He made it his mission, but I fought back. He had to throw me in the water." Marley laughed even though it definitely hadn't been funny at the time and maybe not the best way to teach someone how to swim.
"But he held me up above the water and told me to take a moment, to breathe and collect myself and realize... that I was safe. He wasn't going to let me drown...Bapu always seemed to know what to do...always knew what to say."
"I wanted to ask him what I should do..." Marley asked as she cupped her hands and held some water, looking at her reflection.
I feel like I'm drowning... and they're not here to keep me afloat...too weak to keep swimming.
Marley was clearly thinking hard about something, and Kyo hoped he could help her in any way he could. He wanted to reach out and hold her, to stop her shaking and tell her she could lean on him.
But the curse made his options limited.
"If you need someone to talk to.. I'm not the best at comforting or whatever but, if you need someone to vent or whatever, I'm right here.." The cursed boy found himself regretting the words cause he reminded himself that he wouldn't always be here for her. But he needed to say something because he wanted to help her carry whatever load she was dealing with.
"What's that saying...' the truth will set you free but first it will piss you off'?" Marley was thinking out loud, but Kyo held onto every word.
"I learned the truth... Or maybe it's just part of the truth... I found out Akito was the one who-" Marley admitted, and Kyo felt stumped as to what she meant by the statement.
"The truth?"
How much did Kyo know?
"I found out how cruel Akito had been to you all and-Maybe it wasn't the best idea but... I didn't know what else to do. I wanted to ask Akito myself, and I think..."
Apart of me wanted to live in denial... to pretend that I never found out because I'm so ashamed.
"I'm a terrible person..." Marley softly whispered to the wind to herself, but Kyo caught it.
"What?!"
"I've just been enjoying my time with you all, acting as if I'm a Sohma and part of the family... ignorant to all the pain and suffering..."
I'm not able to protect you at all... I'm useless... unwanted...Nothing but a-
Marley's left hand subconsciously went to her right forearm, and it didn't go unnoticed by orange eyes. Kyo noticed a bright red mark on Marley's arm and, without asking, reached forward and grabbed Marley's right wrist.
"Wait-" Marley tried to stop Kyo from seeing, but Kyo had a firm grip and felt frozen by the look on the boy's face as he intensely stared at the red markings.
It looked almost like a tattoo, it was bright red against her tanned skin, the mark... were in a specific patter reading...two kanji's reading-
'Gaijin'
Outsider
"THAT BASTARD DID THIS DIDN'T HE!" Kyo yelled, and Marley slightly winced over Kyo's grip, and he immediately let go when he realized his mistake, cursing his temper as he lowered his eyes in shame.
"I'm sorry!... I'm sorry. I don't mean to; it's just...I hate this.." Kyo meant it. He couldn't believe that Akito had gone with far. Kyo knew that the Zodiacs were at Akito's mercy but Marley... Marley was a free human being, and this happened when she had only wanted to confront the God. For the Zodiac's sakes.
"I was angry...at Akito and myself for not seeing it. For not being trusted enough to know-"
"That not it!"
"I know that because after Akito did this, I had to beg Hatori not to tell Dadaji... because I didn't want him to worry or cause trouble. And that's... that's why you all kept me in the dark.. isn't it? Didn't want me to worry about it... you didn't want me to confront Akito, wanted to protect me..." Marley started crying again, and Kyo could only awkwardly hold her hand that felt almost ice-cold as he stared at the bright red kanji. Marley could feel his stare and wanted to wipe away the sad look in his eyes.
"You're not an outsider... You know that, right? Momiji, Kisa, even that brat Hiro. They love you and are family to them. And your old man would probably hire a hitman on anyone who says different." Kyo tried to comfort, and it ended up making Marley giggle a little.
The word 'Gaijin' itself wasn't a bad word. The was used commonly for foreigners, but the word could be used as slang with the right venom behind it. The kanji's were 'outside' and 'person'. Outsider.
"It doesn't bother me... not as much as I thought. I know I should feel like an outsider... but when I'm with you all...it feels warm and feels like... home." Marley put her hand over her heart, being completely honest in her words. There were times she would always feel maybe just a little out of place, as she always had. But all she had to do was think of the people that stayed by her side and brought love into her life, and she knew...that they were her home.
"Promise me something."
"Hm?"
"Can you just...look after yourself...just, don't go looking for trouble. No good comes from hanging out with that guy...whenever you're with him, I just... It drives me nuts." Kyo hated that Marley would confront Akito for their sake. It was their burden, their curse. And now it was becoming Marley's burden.
"Don't worry...I don't plan on going near Akito anytime soon..." Marley wasn't even sure if she would be able to look Akito in the eye for a very long time.
Not unless I have to...
"I'm worried... that if I say something... you'll hate me for it.."
"Wha-"
"I feel sorry for Akito... I know that I shouldn't... that Akito has done terrible things...but I still feel like... he's in pain too." Marley cried out, feeling terrible for admitting this and she honestly wished she didn't.
Kyo couldn't be mad. It was almost expected of Marley at this point. It drove him a little mad, but he also knew that her forgiving heart was a part of her.
And he loved every part.
Kyo reached out and wiped away the tears on her face; the gentle gesture made Marley look up at him with large glassy amethyst eyes.
"You don't hate me?"
"Pfft. Of course not, you weirdo." Kyo shook his head, a small smile on his face, one which she returned.
I could never
"Thank goodness, I don't know what I would do without you. You always seem to make things better." Marley let out a sigh of relief and smiled at Kyo, the genuine smile coming through that could make folks stop and stare.
"... you do know you don't have to love everything, right?" Kyo tried to tease, patting the top of her head.
Marley wasn't really sure what Kyo meant, but it sounded silly, so she smiled and laughed a bit. Feeling blessed that Kyo was somewhat forgiving over her feelings about Akito. He was the only one she felt safe sharing this sentiment with.
I might just be... me, but I need to believe... that I can at least help the ones that I love. Maybe it's presumptuous on my part, but I need to find a way to set them free.
Kyo watched the look on her face as she stared up at the clouds, her eyes filled with a sense of calm as she took a deep breath in and out and her eyes filled with a look of determination.
Before she had been hit over the head, she saw the fear in Akito's eyes. She saw someone falling apart and lonely, and while Marley couldn't outright forgive Akito for all she had done, that didn't stop Marley from feeling sorry for her. The compassionate girl didn't know how or what the curse exactly was, but it was time to start digging.
The amethyst eyed girl wasn't sure what someone like her could do. She wasn't the smartest or the strongest, but she intended to do whatever it took to try and break the curse.
To break this cycle of suffering.
For her precious loved ones.
For her family.
Marley's eyes seemed to be filled with determination and fire as she looked out across the ocean, and Kyo knew there was little he could do to step in her way. So instead, he made a promise to himself. TO support her and be someone to lean on till the very end.
A loud rumble rang through the tranquil sounds of the waves, and Marley's face went bright red.
"That's what you get for hiding in your room all day. Come on, let's get some food." Kyo teased as he grabbed her hand, and they slowly walked through the water back to the shore. Marley eye's travelled from her arm, over the bright red scar down to her hand that was now connected to Kyo's.
The water's current almost felt it wanted to take back out to sea, but Kyo kept Marley with him, keeping her from drifting away. It was a stronghold but not painful, his soft callouses lightly brushing against her skin.
Marley squeezed his hand as if checking it was really there, and he squeezed back. A rush of emotions washed over the young woman as Kyo looked back and gave her a soft smile, which she gladly returned.
It was a strange feeling of relief.
She felt safe.
She felt...
Wanted.
.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
.
.
Kyo had kept his back turned when Marley changed back into her long-sleeved sweater and jean shorts, covering up the wound. Kyo's clothes were completely soaked, including the hoodie that he had leant her, but he brushed off Marley's concerns, only reminding her to put on a fresh bandage when they got back. When they returned to the house, everyone seemed to be waiting around the living room.
Marley was immediately welcomed back by Kisa, Momiji and Hiro, who huddled around her, asking if she felt better. She smiled at the younger members of the Zodiac, thanking them for worrying about her.
"So...you helped her?" Miguel had nudged Kyo as they stood off to the side and watched as Marley interacted with everyone, and Tohru insisted she sit down and eat something. It was like everyone wasn't on edge anymore like they had been the day before.
Kyo wondered if Marley had any idea the power of her presence, that by merely walking into a room and smiling, she made the world better.
"No... I didn't do anything." Kyo shook his head, and Miguel watched his eye line to where the white –blonde was jokingly being spoon fed some pineapple by Momiji. Marley seemed to feel their eyes and looked over, smiling before being distracted by something Yuki was asking her.
"You're alright, carrot top." Miguel smirked down at him, and even though the boy meant well, Kyo glared up at him for the carrot top comment.
"HAH?!"
"Kyo-Kun, why are you all wet? Did you go swimming in your clothes? That's so silly." Momiji teased as he hopped over to the boy who had the strong smell of saltwater.
"Oh yeah, Marley's hair is wet. Did you guys go swimming?" Hiro asked, and both Kyo and Marley's faces went bright red as they remembered why Kyo's clothes were wet and why Marley's wasn't.
"I GOTTA GO PACK!" The orange-haired boy stormed off, and everyone looked to Marley for an answer, but she quickly stuffed her mouth with white rice. This made everyone more curious, but a bus horn from outside alerted everyone that it was time to go, and the household rushed around to get their bags.
Soon everyone was on the small shuttle bus, and the maids that had come back from the annex wished them a safe trip. Marley was ushered onto the bus by Momiji, who already had Marley's bags in hand and asked if they could sit together all the way home.
"You can even lean on me when you want to sleep, Marley!" Momiji patted his shoulder, and Marley could only giggle as Hiro pointed out that Momiji would have to grow another foot before that could happen. Kyo was the last to get on the bus and headed towards the back.
"It's okay Momiji, I've slept enough, but you can rest on me if you want." Marley suggested, and the Rabbit let out a small cheer as he rested his head on Marley's lap, making himself comfortable. Kyo was about to scold Momiji, but the soft look in Marley's amethyst eyes as she softly patted Momiji's blonde hair made Kyo's protests stop in his throat; he let them be and went to an empty row in the back.
It was impressive how quickly Momiji fell asleep, small little snores leaving his mouth as he slumbered, and Marley hoped he was having good dreams. As he slept, Marley stared out the window, watching the coastline till it disappeared from sight.
The summer vacation was over, and Marley wondered what the future held.
.
.
.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Notes:
Pinche Pendejo: equivalent to 'f*cking asshole',
Gaijin: Japanese word for foreigners and/or non-Japanese national. The word is composed of two kanji: gai (外, "outside") and jin (人, "person"). Some consider it an ethnic slur and feel that the word has come to have a negative connotation while other observers maintain it is neutral.
phew, that was a lot. It was hard doing this chapter but it was all worth it. Marley finally learned about a dark side in the Sohma family as she has to figure out what to do next. Should be fun.
We're finally wrapping up summer vacation, with only a chapter left before the fall term at school starts for our main cast.
Thank you to those who leave reviews, I'm so happy you enjoyed the past chapter! Happy New Year and let's hope for a better 2021!