A/N: *TRIGGER WARNING*
There's going to be a very creepy scene with an adult speaking to a minor in a very inappropriate way. You have been warned!
Welcome to chapter 8! We're finally getting somewhere! As always a giant thanks to my friend who helped re write and edit this chapter! Now! onto the show!
A Few Days Later
After dinner, the four of us were relaxing in the living room when I felt a strong pulling force that wasn't as strong as Shigure's but stronger than Yuki's. I didn't have much time to ponder over this before there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it!" Tohru called and I followed after her to the door with my curiosity piqued. She opened the door to reveal a short girl with shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes.
"Hello, I'm Kagura Sohma. Is it true that Kyo's here?" She asked her fists clenched in front of her chest.
"Yeah, he's in the living room…" Tohru began then trailed off as the other girl pushed past her into the house. We exchanged looks of confusion then followed her back to the living room.
"Kyo!" Kagura called as she opened the door to the living room. I could see the three guys looking surprised through the open door as the new comer moved towards Kyo who had gotten to his feet. "Where were you these last four months? Why didn't you call me?" She strode right up to him. "I was… SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU!" Tohru and I gasped when she decked him right in the face, the force sending him back and crashing through the paper door that lead outside. Without missing a beat Shigure bent his head as Kagura launched herself over his head with inhuman strength. She plowed through the hole in the door and continued her assault on Kyo.
"I REALLY WANTED TO SEE YOU!" she was yelling at full volume from outside. Through the hole in the door I could see her swinging him around by the ankle a scary expression on her face. Yuki went over and examined the broken door, ignoring the violence going on outside.
"Shigure, we have to replace the paper door again," He observed and the adult sighed.
"Why do you guys always destroy MY house?" He rubbed his temples an exasperated expression on his face.
"Are you going to stop…that?" Tohru asked, hesitantly pointing towards the two outside. The adult glanced over his shoulder at his two family members.
"Oh, don't worry about that; it's how Kagura shows affection. Like how little kids pick on the ones that they love." the dog said with a smile on his face.
"I-is that so…" I responded confused with this whole situation.
"But her whole personality seemed to change." My friend pointed out while she moved towards the table.
"She's always acted like that whenever Kyo's around for as long as I could remember. She's only two years older than us but we grew up in the Main House together." The rat explained, taking a seat at the table once more.
That would make her about 18. I wonder if she's going to college.
"Plus, she's one of the 12 zodiacs but I assume Liisa-san has already guessed as much," Shigure added then picked up his tea cup he'd been drinking from before Kagura's arrival.
"Yeah, I felt her presence right before she knocked on the door," I confessed. "I don't know which one she is though."
"Mmmm, I thought you could tell which one just by looking at her? How about you two watch her for a while then try to guess which one she could be?" he suggested and I could almost feel Tohru's excitement radiating off of her.
"Challenge accepted!" She exclaimed and we both turned our heads to look outside. "Kyo's really getting beat up - don't you think we should stop her?" At this point Kagura was rapidly punching Kyo in the face. He wasn't fighting back or anything, this was a one-sided beat down.
I'm not getting in the middle of… whatever that is.
Before anyone could respond to her question, Kyo was sprawled on the ground and Kagura seemed to have snapped back to reality. We all went outside as she knelt on the ground next to him. "Kyo's gotten beaten up this badly? It can't be?" She picked up his head and shoulders and hugged him. "WHO DID THIS TO YOU?!" She cried.
How come neither changed into their animal forms even though they're hugging?
"Why are you asking? It was you who did that. Do you have memory loss or something?" The adult deadpanned.
"Nooo…. I didn't think I hit him that hard though," She said as she hoisted Kyo to his feet. He had a subdued look on his face. She brought him back into the house and Tohru and I got out the first-aid kit. Kagura attempted to treat his injuries but he snapped at her and did it himself. After we had settled down from the earlier events, Kagura started talking.
"Sorry, I got too exited after seeing Kyo. He was gone without a trace for so long I was really happy to see him," she apologized looking a bit embarrassed now.
What is with this girl? First, she beats up Kyo because she hasn't seen him in a long time; now she's being all bashful about it? The guys are acting like this is normal and Shigure said we could tell which zodiac she is just by watching her, but I don't think any of the zodiacs act like this. I suppose when she was beating up Kyo and when she pushed past Tohru, she was acting a little boorish but… that can't be it… right?
I was brought out of my thoughts when someone sneezed.
"Bless you," I said automatically.
"Thank you," they said.
"It's going to be chilly in here tonight," Yuki observed, looking over at the ruined paper door.
"Yeah and the bugs are going to be a nightmare with summer coming." Shigure chimed in also looking at the door.
"Sorry…" Kagura looked genuinely apologetic. "Kyo ,you should apologize too! You're at fault for disappearing like that and never contacting me!"
"Why would I have to call you?" He turned his head away with clear annoyance.
"Because we're going to get married someday," she said calmly.
Wait…aren't they related?
"WHEN THE HELL WAS THAT DECIDED?!" He fully turned to her with his entire face and neck a deep red.
"You have a fiancée!?" Tohru gasped in excitement.
"Congratulations, there's finally a girl who likes you," Yuki said sarcastically.
"Congratulations," Shigure said in the same tone. I looked between all of them as my confusion grew.
So this is a joke or something?
"Why you…!" Kyo glared angerly at the other two guys.
"Don't you remember? You told me you wanted to marry me when we were little!" She said with a nostalgic expression. The cat sent her an exasperated look.
"I only said that because you threatened to pulverize me if I said no!"
"Why do you still deny it? Isn't it for the best when two of the zodiacs get married? We would understand each other's pain." She said a wistful look settling on her face. "Plus, as part of the zodiacs we can hug each other without fear of changing into animals." She draped her arms around Kyo's neck and hugged him tightly while he looked very uncomfortable. "Since nothing happens, it must be a sign."
They encourage each other to marry their family? Yikes.
"Wow, you're right! But Liisa is cursed and transformed when she hugged Sohma-san and Kyo-kun." Tohru pointed out while the other girl looked at me.
"Really? You both turned into animals? That's very strange indeed," She seemed to be thinking about something. "What if we hugged? Nothing should happen since we're both girls… but you never know." At this, I saw the dog sit up straighter in my peripheral vision.
"I've been wondering the same thing myself actually," The dog looked at us with sudden interest from the table.
"I mean, it wouldn't hurt to see what would happen. I don't think we'll change since I can hug Tohru, Uo, and Hana just fine without anything happening," I said as Kagura and I moved towards each other.
"Now's the moment of truth," Kagura whispered as we awkwardly embraced and two puffs of smoke surrounded us. I blinked at the dark brown boar with light brown stipes across from me. I looked down at my light brown fur and light gray hooves speechless. The entire room was silent for a moment until Shigure spoke.
"Well that settles that unless one of you is secretly a guy, my bet would be on Kagura but I digress. Now the next question to ask is why?" He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Wow, I was actually right in my thinking earlier… I can't believe it. She acts boorish and is possessed by the boar.
"Cute! You're the boar of the zodiacs?" Tohru squealed.
"You really think I'm cute?" Kagura asked getting to her hooves.
"Yeah, small and cute!" She responded nodding enthusiastically. I said nothing and started heading towards the door. I was hoping to get back to my room before I turned back and throw on some different clothes.
Why did I change when Kagura hugged me? I only change into one of the animals when I hug guys the rest of the time so why did I change with her?
"Where are you going?" Someone asked and I turned back to see Tohru.
"Uh, to change back in private?" I gestured down to myself.
"Oh right!" Tohru smacked herself on her forehead then scooped up my and Kagura's clothes that were on the floor. "Sorry, I got distracted by the unexpected turn of events. Kagura, do you want to use the bathroom to change?"
"Sure! Don't go anywhere, Kyo, I'll be right back!" she told the cat over her shoulder as she followed us out of the room. I beelined to the stairs and ended up turning back about halfway up. I entered our room, shut the door, and waited for Tohru to come.
After changing back into the clothes that Tohru brought up, I went back to the living room.
"Glad to see you're back to normal." Shigure said as I entered the room and sat next to Tohru. Kagura was already there, back to normal, sitting beside Kyo. "Now then, let's get back to the subject of our little experiment."
"As I was saying before it's probably because Liisa-san's curse is different than ours. There may be some similarities but it's not like ours." Yuki said sternly his arms crossed.
"Yes, but she can hug other girls who aren't cursed like us, which means there must be some connection to our curse." he shot back, holding a hand to his chin. "I wonder if it would be the same with the other two girls?"
"There are other girls in the zodiac?" Tohru cut in excitedly.
"Only two others for a total of three. As you might've assumed, nothing happens when we hug them either." Yuki explained without taking his eyes away from the dog.
"Do you want to know what animals they are?" the dog asked looking to Tohru. She got a conflicted look on her face.
"Mmmmm, no. It'll be more fun to figure it out when I meet them. Right, Liisa?" She answered with a smile on her face.
"Yeah, guessing would be more fun I suppose." I said
Kagura interjected with disinterest in the current topic. "Anyway, if one of the cursed zodiacs marries a "normal" person of the opposite sex, it usually doesn't end well. Isn't that right, Shigure?"
"That's right. It's already hard to work in this society as it is; however, the biggest problem is when we transform into animals when hugged by the opposite sex. Having relationships and having se..." Yuki threw a book that was on the table at Shigure's face.
"Dirty old man," the rat scowled.
"See Kyo? It would be unreasonable for you to be with anyone else! I love you the most! I love you the most in the world! No, in the whole universe!" She exclaimed, standing in front of the startled cat. "Say it clearly, do you love me or hate me? I need to know!"
"Hah?" Kyo sputtered, looking overwhelmed.
"I want to cook for you every day and even if you had an affair I would still forgive you! There's no one else who could love you this much, Kyo!" She went on before he could answer.
"Uh, ah," he backed into a corner while she followed him. She leaned into his personal space with a menacing aura around her, "YOU THINK SO TOO, RIGHT?!"
Jeez girl, calm down! You're scarring the poor cat!
"Kyo's a weakling under pressure," The adult observed idly then looked at Tohru, "But you also like him, right? You recently started calling him, Kyo-kun. Something had to have happened that night, right?" He even threw a wink at her - damn mutt. I saw Kagura's head snap in my friend's direction so fast that I'm surprised she didn't get a crick in her neck.
"How can it be? My rival?!" the boar roared as Tohru blushed and smiled. I noticed that Yuki had a conflicted look on his face.
"I won't lose! The power of love can overcome any obstacle if it's strong enough and mine is the strongest!" she exclaimed getting up in Tohru's face. "What do you like about Kyo? I love all of him! ALL of him!"
"Stop," Kyo said sounding irritated.
"The good and the bad I accept all of it!" She plunged on despite what Kyo had said in an attempt to stop her. She seemed to have worked herself up into a frenzy at this point. "Even when he returns to his true form! I can accept that too…" At this statement I felt the atmosphere in the room change. My back went ram rod straight as Kyo smacked a hand over her mouth finally silencing her.
True form? Does Kyo have an alternate form to the cat like I do?
"Please stop!" He warned his voice low, his bangs hiding his eyes. "Any more of this talk and I won't ever forgive you!" As he took his hand away from her mouth the sleeve of his jacket slipped back enough that I saw a bracelet with alternating red and white beads on it.
Is that to suppress it like with my own bracelet? My right hand gently touched my multi-colored bracelet on my left wrist. Before I could dwell on this for too long, my mind went blank when I saw Kagura twist Kyo's arm behind his back with a dangerous look in her eyes.
"YOU WON'T FORGIVE ME? EVEN THOUGH I WOULD FORGIVE YOU NO MATTER WHAT!" She pulled his arm back further behind him, twisting it in an odd way and making him gasp in pain. The image changed before my eyes to when I twisted my doppelganger's wrist in the nightmare. I remembered the sound of her bones grinding together and her scream ringing in my ears. I shut my eyes to block out the images; my heartbeat pulsed loudly in my eardrums.
"Liisa! Hey! Are you ok?" My friend's voice broke me out of my dark thoughts.
"Sorry, I'm ok just… got lost in my thoughts for a second." My face flushed in embarrassment when I realized that all eyes were on me. Kagura had even released her hold on the cat.
"If you're sure," My friend said a skeptical look on her face. "It's getting late and we have school tomorrow. I asked you if you wanted to head to bed." Now I felt even more embarrassed.
"Yeah, it's getting late. Goodnight everyone!" I waved my hand, relieved to have an excuse to get up and leave. We made our way to our room when Tohru suddenly gasped.
"I forgot to hang dry my uniform!" She hurried out of the room before I could tell her that I've already done that when I did the laundry. I sighed then left to chase after her. Just as I stepped out of the door, Yuki came out of his room.
"Ah, Liisa-san, are you going to be using the bathroom?" he asked as we went down stairs.
"No, I'm looking for Tohru. She forgot to hang up her uniform to dry but I did it earlier. She left in a hurry before I could tell her." We stopped in front of the bathroom door, "Let me just check if she's here." I knocked a few times and called out her name before I opened the door.
After Yuki gave me the "go-ahead," I furthered walked into the bathroom to check the laundry room. Seeing that it's empty, I assumed she's outside.
Mmmm…Maybe I could ask him about what Kagura said earlier. The look on Kyo's face suggested that he doesn't want to talk about it, but I'm so curious! I have so many questions!
"She must have gone outside already," I exited the laundry room to see Yuki had come into the bathroom and had gotten out his toothbrush and toothpaste.
"Well then she'll figure out that you hung it up already." he said taking out a towel from the linen cabinet and hanging it up. I went to the open door but paused at the door frame upon sensing the dog and the boar in his study; the cat was somewhere above us.
This is the perfect time to ask him without being interrupted.
"Um, Yuki-san, is it alright if I ask you a question?" I felt nervous butterflies flutter in my stomach.
"Sure, depending on the question," He turned to face me while leaning against the counter.
"It's about something what Kagura said earlier…" I took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. "What did she mean by Kyo's 'true form'?" His dark gray eyes steeled with something that almost made me regret asking.
"That's something you should ask him. It's not something I want to nor should be talking about." he bluntly said turning his back to me. "I assume you have something similar; that's why you wear that bracelet all the time." My hand immediately jumped to the bracelet on my left wrist, my fingers running over the different beads.
"Maybe, but I want to be sure! "And with the way he reacted, I doubt he'd like it if I asked him so I thought you could answer some of my questions." I nearly jumped out of my skin when he whorled around to face me again; I saw the fire replace the steeled look in his dark eyes.
"Well, I'm not the one to ask about that stupid cat and his problems. If you want to know so badly, go ask him yourself and don't go asking others who wouldn't know." I backed down from this sudden outburst from the usually calm guy in front of me.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted to gather more information before I brought it up." I explained trying to calm down the angry rat in front of me. After I stopped speaking he seemed to get a lid on his anger, he turned his head to the side not looking me in the eye.
"I didn't mean to burst out like that. It's just…I get unreasonably angry when talking about my cousin. I'm sorry." He awkwardly crossed his right arm over his chest and grabbed his left elbow. He averted his eyes when he spoke, "If you really want to know, then ask him about it but don't be surprised when he gets angry." He paused, "it's not something that's openly discussed."
"I'll keep that in mind sorry again," I murmured stepping back into the hall and pulling the door shut behind me. As I started down the hall I heard the bathroom door's lock slide into place.
That's not the reaction I was expecting from him. I know they don't get along but to react that way when asked about Kyo's true form is a bit extreme.
I headed out to where the drying rack was outside to see if Tohru was still out there. I was pulled out of my thoughts as voices drifted down through the cool night air.
"…I'm not totally uninterested in martial arts! I even know a few moves for example. Right straight punch!" Tohru's voice cheerfully sounded from the roof, followed by a soft laugh that I assumed to by Kyo.
"That was really clumsy." his voice sounded light and happy. I went back inside not wanting to disrupt the fun the two were having. As I was heading towards the stairs I passed by Shigure's study just as the door opened.
"Oh! I thought you and Tohru-san went to bed already." Shigure said sounding surprised. He had a bunch of books in his arms, I saw Kagura sitting on a futon over by his desk.
"Yeah we were getting ready to sleep but she forgot to do something." I responded somewhat hesitantly, still looking over at Kagura. "Were you just about to go to bed too?" I wasn't saying this to either of them in particular but was hoping to talk to Kagura. My conversation with Yuki said echoed in my mind, but my curiosity was getting the better of me.
"I'm just going to find a new home for these books, I'll be right back." the adult said and I moved aside so he could walk past me. I entered the room after the adult had gone.
"Um, hi Kagura-san, I want to ask you a question if you don't mind." I asked hesitantly coming and sitting next to her futon. The whole time I was at the door she said nothing.
"Sure what is it?" she responded a little harshly. I took a deep breath ready for an outburst like Yuki's.
"What did you mean when you said that Kyo has a 'true form'? I realize that I should ask Kyo himself but when you said it earlier it seemed to be something that's painful to talk about." I asked fidgeting with my bracelet afraid to make eye contact with her.
"Ah! Did you ask Yuki about it earlier?" she asked much to my surprise.
"Yeah he got angry when I asked and told me to ask him myself." I explained my cheeks turning red.
I'm such a dumbass of course they heard my conversation with Yuki! This room shares a wall with the bathroom where we were!
"It's true that the subject of Kyo's true form is a sore subject and you shouldn't go around blabbing about it, but I can see why you would have some questions. I heard from Hattori before I came here that your curse is almost exactly like ours. I assume that you too have another form that doesn't come out when you're hugged right?" She said calmly resting a hand on my arm halting my nervous fidgeting.
"Yeah, I do it's the reason that I wear this bracelet." I explained holding my left wrist out to show her the bracelet. "I assume that Kyo has something similar."
"He does though his is only two colors red and white. I wonder why yours is all different colors." she said spinning my bracelet around my wrist, she stopped it at the dull gold one. "Why's this one dull? The rest are all shiny."
"I don't know. One day when I was around 6-years-old, it flashed in a bright light then went dull. I remembered being very tired after that and slept for a long time afterwards. It's looked like this since then." I took back my arm and pinched the bead between my fingers. I moved my fingers to touch the red bead beside the gold one then down to the green bead. "These two used to be white but they turned red and green when I was really little. I don't suppose Kyo's bracelet ever changed colors." I looked up to see the other girl staring at me steadily.
"No, it hasn't. Its always been red and white. I wonder if yours is doing something else other than suppressing your true form." she suggested.
Something other than containing my true form? I wonder what that could be? I bet I know who would know and I'm not about to ask him that any time soon.
"I'm back! Did you girls have a nice woman-to-woman chat?" Shigure broke in, throwing the door wide open. The both of us jumped about a mile high in surprise.
"You just love surprising people, don't you?" I griped, getting to my feet to leave.
"What can I say, it's fun to liven things up! Everyone's so serious all the time; it gets boring." he shrugged. "Anyways, I came in here to say lights out; you've got school tomorrow so time to get some shut eye!" He ushered me out of the room and turned off the light off for Kagura.
"Goodnight," We both said to the brunette inside the room.
"Goodnight" She replied before the adult closed the door. We parted ways after issuing a goodnight to each other and I headed upstairs. When I got to the landing, I could feel both Yuki's and Kyo's presences in their respective rooms.
I hope I don't sleepwalk into Yuki's room tonight; that would be super awkward after the conversation I had with Yuki not even an hour ago. I entered the shared bedroom to see the lights off and Tohru already in her futon. When I settled into mine, she shifted to face me.
"There you are! Were you the one who put my uniform out to dry for me?"
"Yeah, you ran out of here so fast that I didn't have the chance to tell you. Then I couldn't find you so I ended up talking to Yuki and Kagura instead." I explained as I propped my head up on my hand. The moonlight streamed through the curtains and illuminated the room enough for me to see Tohru's outline as she shifted in her futon.
"Ah, I went up on the roof because Kyo-kun was there. I was curious on what he could be doing up there and ended up talking to him for a while." she whispered. I couldn't see her face clearly but I would bet everything that she was smiling with a blush on her face at that moment.
"I'm happy that you guys are getting closer." I responded a smile on my face.
"I want to find out all their likes and dislikes and stuff like that; I really like it here." She confessed and I let out a little chuckle.
"I'm sure there's going to plenty of time to find out all those things." I assured her. "We better get to sleep though if we want to be fully rested tomorrow." I fully laid down in my futon as I heard Tohru rustle around a bit.
"Goodnight Tohru" I yawned. "See you in the morning."
"Yeah, goodnight Liisa" She yawned back. It didn't take me long to fall asleep and I'm lucky that I didn't have any dreams that night.
The Next Morning
I made a big breakfast for everyone before we got ready for the day. I got tired of watching Kagura cling onto Kyo's arm while spouting her love for him, so I took out the trash. On my return trip, a slight breeze carried an unfamiliar scent followed by the sound of footsteps approaching the house. I walked to the front of the house and saw a newspaper delivery guy by the front door.
"Hello!" He greeted upon making eye contact with me.
"Hello. I can take the newspaper," I stopped just before him with my hand held out. He gave me a big smile.
"Alright! I know I'm late with the paper today, but I'm glad that someone was home to take it!" He exclaimed as he handed me the newspaper.
"Ah, there's usually someone here all day." I waved at him as he turned to leave. However, he had barely took a step when I heard a loud noise from within the house.
"…I LOVE YOU THE MOST!" Kagura shouted as she busted through the wall and bumped into the newspaper delivery guy. A domino effect occurred: the guy stumbled into me and two puffs of smoke shrouded us. Just before the smoke completely vanished, I realized I'd transformed into my bird form - a small brown sparrow with yellow stripes on my face. I immediately flew into a nearby tree and watched the scene from behind the leaves. Yuki rushed out and planted his hand on the guy's face then slammed him against the same tree. He shifted his body in what I assumed was an attempt to block the guy's view of Boar-Kagura.
"Good morning! Not be rude or anything, but what are you doing here?" He asked briskly.
"Ah, I was late with this morning's newspaper but I gave it to the blonde girl that was outside just a moment ago." he responded.
"Thanks for your service; we've got it from here." He released the guy and he took a second to straighten his clothes.
"If you're sure, then I'll be on my way." He glanced down at his watch he gave a gasp. "I really need to get going! Have a good day!" He skedaddled away from the property. I sighed in relief when he was out of sight.
"That was some great thinking Yuki!" Shigure called from the hole in the wall. "You saved us a lot of trouble."
"Sohma-san reacted so fast..." Tohru pointed out as Yuki turned back towards the house.
"That was damn close." Kyo muttered from Tohru's side.
"Thank you, but it seems he was talking to Liisa-san before Kagura came in and I don't see her anywhere." The rat stopped next to Kagura, who's sitting on the ground, looking around. I figured it was time to come out of hiding. I fluttered down to the ground in front of the three humans inside the house.
"I'm here. He must have been born in the year of the rooster." I said, hopping on the spot.
"Oh! So cute!" my friend exclaimed reaching down and scooping me into her hands.
"I see your rooster form is a sparrow as well." the dog observed idly.
"The person whose possessed by the rooster is also a sparrow?" I turned my head to the dog.
"Yeah, though he doesn't have the yellow markings, if I remember correctly. It's…been awhile since I've seen him" he frowned, seemingly thinking about something else.
"Oh!" I hopped at Tohru's sudden exclamation. "Kagura, I wanted to tell you something before you stormed off!" She directed her gaze to the boar sitting on the ground. "I think I can understand a little why you like Kyo-kun so much! He has so many wonderful qualities!" I saw the boar's eyes widen with an impending fury about to explode, so I flapped away and landed on Shigure's shoulder. "That's why I want to be more like you…"
"You two timer!" With amazing speed, the boar sprang off the ground to hit Kyo across the face with a hoof. "I can't leave you alone! I'll just have to move in with you!"
"Didn't you say that you wouldn't mind if he was unfaithful." Shigure pointed out in a deadpan voice. Kagura looked at him while perched on Kyo's shoulder, latching her four legs around his head.
"I never said that I wouldn't teach him a lesson if he was unfaithful. I only said that I would forgive him… eventually." she retorted.
"Ah, wait." Tohru calmly approached the angry boar like one would with a wild animal. "I didn't mean it like that. What I meant to say, is that I hope to see all of the good traits in the person I like, like how you do, Kagura." I swore her eyes sparkled at the compliment. I had an inkling that the transformation was going to wear off so I fluttered into the kitchen. A second later, a puff of smoke surrounded me.
"PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!" came Kyo's voice from outside followed by a laugh from Kagura.
After that debacle, Kagura waved enthusiastically as she headed down the road. The four of us hurried off to school in risk of being late.
During Lunch at School
Tohru and I were walking back to our classroom after using the restroom when the Principal came up to us. "Miss Honda, there's a phone call for you in the office." We exchanged puzzled looks with each other.
"Who's it from?" She asked as we started walking towards the office.
"I believe he said that he's your grandfather." the Principal said over his shoulder as he opened the door. There was no one else in the room and I immediately felt nervous when he rushed Tohru into the small room for students to make phone calls.
"Thanks, Liisa, would you wait out here for me?" she asked before closing the door. I swallowed my nervousness and gave her a wide smile.
"Yeah, of course." I assured her then she shut the door. After a moment, I could hear her muffled voice through the door. My attention was pulled away when the Principal shifted closer to me.
"I meant to say this sooner but I'm glad to see you back at school." His smile made me more uncomfortable.
"W-what do you mean by that?"
"The accident you had a few days ago. I heard you fell down a flight of stairs. I'm glad nothing serious happened to you." He placed a hand on my shoulder in what I assumed to be a comforting gesture, but the way his thumb rubbed in circles made my stomach drop.
"Oh yeah! I got a minor concussion but as long as I take it easy for a week or two, I'll be fine." I took a big step away from him; his hand slid off of my shoulder.
"Come now, don't be like that. I'm just trying to comfort you." his tone changed into a condescending one, "I know it must be hard now that you're mother's gone."
What did he just say?
I stared at him dumbfounded that he dare bring up my mother.
"I hope you're doing alright. Though," He took a step closer to me, "I couldn't help but notice that your address is still the same." Another step forward caused me to take a step back. "Are you living in the same apartment by yourself?"
"I live with… my family," I'm surprised by how much I meant that statement. Even though I've only lived with the Sohma's for about a week now, I felt more at ease with them than my own family. Except, of course, for when I lived with Tohru and our mother's.
"That's good to hear!" I clenched my fist when he chuckled and offered a smile, "Well, if there's anything that I can do, let me know and I'll be sure to provide with the best." I don't like the way he said that.
Am I being paranoid? I can't tell if I'm overthinking because of what those older girls said or not.
"Thanks, I'll…keep that in mind." I said hesitantly as the door opened and Tohru stepped out looking dazed. "Hey, what's up? Did something happen to your grandpa?" I went to her side immediately. She said nothing but shook her head.
"I'll tell you in private." She whispered to me then said aloud, "Thank you for letting me use the phone, Principal, sir, we should get back to class; lunch will be over soon."
"Ah, anytime girls, anytime." He responded as we hurried out of the office. I sighed in relief once we were far away from the office.
"So what happened? Why did your grandpa call?" I asked her as we slowed down, the hallway we were in was deserted. She stopped and looked at me with glassy eyes.
"The renovations are done on his house. He called to tell me that I can move back in with him this weekend." she said quietly.
That's right, it was only a temporary arrangement. Tohru was always going to move back in with her Grandpa. Will I be expected to leave too?
"I totally forgot about that, to be honest." I awkwardly admitted. She started walking again towards our classroom.
"I did too. I'm sure we all did. Did you know that Sohma-san bought strawberries to grow in his garden because he thought we would like them?" She sighed as we stopped in front of our class room door. "I wish I could stay at Shigure's house with everyone but I want to help my grandpa out too. I'll tell the others about it this afternoon before I go to work." With that she slid open the door to our classroom and we both entered.