RAIN Part I -Dark Clouds
"Distant Thunder"
Tohru wrung out the wet cloth, cool water trickling out, sliding down her hand into the sink. She walked back into the main room where their strange guest lay sleeping. Their visitor had quite a fever. /Out in the rain too long/, she thought, /but this ought to bring it down./ The girl had collapsed right by the door. Neither Shigure nor Yuki could carry her to one of the extra bedrooms. If the huggled her the wrong way, they would turn into their respective Juunishi animals. So, they had dragged her ever so gently into their main room, Yuki running off to fetch one of Tohru's yukatas and a spare bedroll. The girl had been in and out of consciousness since then, and with a little help from Tohru, managed to shrug out of her wet, mud stained clothes, and into the dry, warm yukata. It was a little small for her; she was pretty curvaceous, after all, and her well-shaped arms and legs indicated that she worked out a lot to boot. But that wasn't what caught their attention. It was her resemblance to Kyo that was so utterly surprising; the same sharp-angled features, deep brown eyes, and most of all her mop of carrot colored hair that she wore midway down her back. It was lighter than Kyo's though, more of an orange-cream color with wisps of blonde here and there. The resemblance was uncanny, but they would let her sleep for the time being, Tohru draping the damp washcloth cross her forehead. Satisfied, she sat by the table, knees bent to her chest, letting her own thoughts consume her, wondering who this unusual girl was. They would know soon enough, however. Shigure and Yuki had already gone to bed, but Tohru chose to stay up just a bit longer, to make sure that their guest was as comfortable as possible. The girl shifted and moaned, as if troubled by nightmares and other upsets of the mind. Tohru listened to the light pitter-patter of rain outside, felt her senses numbing as she grew tired. So much rain lately. Would it ever stop? It just felt like more and more tragedy was befalling the Souma's. Was it because of her? Was she the source of their pain? Her normally optimistic nature faltering slightly, she let slip a few well-deserved tears. She had been through so much already, and she was only 17. She was happy to be here with Yuki and the others, but she couldn't help but let the melancholy overwhelm her sometimes. Although, she would never let them see her so defeated. That wasn't the Tohru they knew. She knew that they leaned on her for support, and she on them. Akito didn't like her; that was clear. There hadn't been much news about Akito since that fateful day when she finally confronted him. For the most part, it had been as though he had left their lives for the time being. She knew that too good to be true, and she suspected that he was planning something. All she could do was sit around and wait for it though… to wait and pick up the pieces. She yawned and then smiled slightly. Sitting around like this would bother Kyo to no extent… he being more the type to go and do something about it. And with her thoughts on Kyo now, she remembered the stranger. The resemblance really was uncanny, yet she had her own divergent features too… her own personality… the things that separated her from Tohru, and vice versa. If it weren't for the girls almond shaped eyes, a trait of any Japanese, she would have suspected that this girl was American…. far from home and afraid. She wondered how this girl dealt with the sadness in her life. /Does she hide from it, like me? Or maybe…she's more like Kyo, and faces it head on. I wish I could be more like that…more like the cat…/ And with those final thoughts, Tohru gave into the sleep that had began to overwhelm her.
Pale morning sunlight streamed through an open window in the barren room, casting shadows here and there, sharpening the harsh angles of Kyo's expression. He had been awake for most of the night, snoozing lightly on occasion, but never really falling into a deep sleep. He blamed that, in due part, to his pure anxiousness. The previous days events riled him, and as much as he tried, he could not forget those eyes. He had finally figured out why they bothered him so much… those eyes so much like his… so full of sadness and unbearable pain. He, too, knew what that was like. He dealt with it in his own way, not forgetting about it, but not letting it consume him either. He had to be strong, especially if he wanted to beat that damn mouse. He sat up, stretched his long, muscular arms, noting his own weariness. A little jog might do him some good. That and a cold shower, some breakfast… oh yeah, he had to study too. Big test in school soon. He slowly got up, and walked down to the wash room, determined not to think about that stupid, little cat anymore, muttering softly to himself… "Damn..."
First there were the hands. So many of them, holding her down, pinning her to whatever it was she was lying on. She couldn't move, she couldn't scream… nothing but a muffled cry escaped from the gag in her mouth. Then, the pain. So, much pain coursing through her entire body. /No more…/ she cried…/please… please stop/.
She awoke with a start, sitting up slightly, a bit dazed. Looking around a little, she began to take in her surroundings. /Where am I? What happened?/ She couldn't remember clearly what had happened. She had seen the house, could smell their delicious dinner, the scents and scenery drawing her near… and then darkness. And the dreams… The same dreams that had haunted her subconscious every night for as long as she could remember. Bringing her knees up to her chest, she curled in on herself and began to cry, overwhelmed by her sorrow.
"Daijoubu?" came a soft voice that startled her. She hadn't even realized someone sat next to her, staring at her through sleepy eyes filled with concern. A young girl, about her age, spoke again. "Hey, are you all right?"
She rubbed away her tears with her own arm. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a little tired, that's all." Silence. "What happened to me..?"
"You collapsed suddenly. I was so worried. You had a bit of a fever… " The cute brown haired girl explained, touching a soft hand to her forehead…"It seems to have passed. What a relief." She smiled. "I'm Tohru. Honda Tohru. And you are?"
"Kiya. Kiya So…" she stopped abruptly. "Kiya will do. It's nice to meet you, Honda-san." She held out a hand to Tohru, and Tohru took it in her own, a little surprised at the gesture. The shaking of hands was more of an American's way of greeting. Perhaps this girl, Kiya, was part American after all. /How interesting…/
Just then Shigure entered the room, a sleepy Yuki following close behind.
"Ah! You're up!" Shigure said as he approached the two girls. He smiled at Kiya. "You look better. Tohru-kun here was very worried about you. She didn't leave your side all night."
Kiya looked surprised. Never had anyone been so concerned about her before. But still, she must have been such a burden to her. "Thank you, Honda-san. I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble."
Tohru shook her head with a smile. "No, not at all. But, I'm glad to see that you're feeling better." She got to her feet. "Hungry?"
Kiya smiled, truly for the first time in what felt like forever. "Starved."
"Thank you," she said meekly as Tohru handed her a warm cup of tea. She drank greedily, the heat helping to relax her soar muscles. She glanced around at the other two people seated with her at the table. The older of them, a man wearing traditional Japanese garb, the one called Shigure, had a silly grin on his face. The other next to him, a high school boy named Yuki, with stunning violet eyes, stared at her worriedly. He was cute, although not really her type as far as appearances were concerned. He somewhat reminded her of a… well, a mouse, actually. They all seemed friendly enough though, taking care of her when she fell unconscious, serving her breakfast. Such kindness was rare these days, and she wished she could repay them, but what could she possibly offer in return? She had…nothing. Tohru smiled at her sweetly.
"So, Kiya-san…" she began, "Um, I don't mean to pry… but uh, why were you out in that storm? It was very dangerous!"
"Well, actually, I uh… "She stumbled to find the right words to explain her story. She didn't want to tell them everything; no need to get them involved with her troubles. "The truth is I ran away from home."
Tohru was stunned. "What? But why? You're family must be so worried about you…"
Kiya grimaced slightly. "Um…I, uh…" she looked away. She couldn't tell them about her so-called family.
"Tohru-kun, don't bother Kiya-san with so many questions. She's had a rough time it seems." Shigure smiled in Kiya's direction. "Do you have any friends you can stay with?"
"No."
"Any place that you could go?"
"No."
"What are you going to?"
"I don't know."
"Can't you go home?"
"Don't wanna."
Shigure kept parading her with questions and concerns. Yuki rolled his eyes and cupped his chin in his hands. /Hypocrite…/ It was then that he noticed that Kyo was missing. He looked over at Tohru sitting on the far end of the table. As if anticipating his question, Tohru spoke. "Yuki-kun, have you seen Kyo-kun? He didn't come down for breakfast, and when I checked he wasn't in his room."
Kiya looked at her questioningly. "Kyo?" The name sounded very familiar to her, but she could not identify it. Still… where had she heard it before…
"Kyo's a member of Yuki's and my family who also lives here with us, "Shigure spat quickly before returning to the subject at hand, "Now, Kiya-san, we should really think about what we're going to do with you. You say you can't go home, and that you have nowhere to go… so…. " He thought long and hard for a moment, a look of pure seriousness etched across his face, only to be replaced by that same silly grin he always wore, "You can stay here with us!"
"EH?!" Tohru and Yuki starred at Shigure in shock.
"What?" he asked innocently. "Where else is she going to go? Besides, I don't mind having another cute girl in the household. She can stay until her family situation improves. And I'm sure Tohru-kun could use the help cleaning up after us. A house full of messy guys can be quite a handful even for our resourceful, little Tohru-kun."
Kiya opened her mouth to refuse, but Yuki beat her to it.
"Shigure, you know Akito will never allow it."
Tohru cringed at the mention of Akito's name, too busy with her own doubts and reservations of the family head to notice the look of trepidation on Kiya's face. Yuki continued.
"It was suspicious enough that he let Tohru live with us, but then the situation had been different. There is no way that Akito will let Kiya-san stay here, like it or not."
Kiya sat frozen, unable to move or blink, barely able to speak. "A…ki…to…"
Shigure glanced at her. "Yes. Akito, the head of our family."
Looking back and forth between Yuki and Shigure, Kiya forced herself to ask her next question, her fears and worries surfacing higher with each word. "You… are you… both… Souma's?"
"Eh? How did you know?" Yuki asked, bewilderedly. At this point Kiya was on her feet, fists trembling.
"You're both Souma's, and you didn't tell me!!"
Shigure shrugged. "It didn't seem necessary for you to know at the time. Kyo's a Souma too. I wonder where he ran off to.." Shigure didn't seem at all concerned that Kiya looked like she was about to start swinging at them. Tohru was nervous though.
"Kiya-san… are you ok? Why are you so angry?"
The look in Kiya's eyes was horrifying, like those of a frightened animal. She was visibly shaking now, ostensibly trying to control her anger. She wanted to run, but she held her ground, new that if she didn't make a stand against the Souma's now, that she may never have the strength or the chance. A sinister smile played across her face. She laughed, a hard, sharp and bitter sound. Tohru looked on wide-eyed
"Kiya…-san?"
"I must commend you for your efforts," she began, "Really, you had me fooled for a while. Did Akito put you up to this?"
Yuki looked flabbergasted. "Kiya-san, what are you talking about? Akito has nothing…"
"DON'T LIE TO ME!" she screamed. "Do you think I'm some kind of idiot!? I won't be tricked so easily! If you think I'll just go along with whatever you and Akito have planned, you are sorely mistaken. You want me? You'll have to catch me first!"
Shigure sighed. "Kiya-san, I think you've got the wrong idea. We have no intentions of 'catching' you."
Kiya was slightly stunned. "No intentions of…?" She fell silent for an instant, only to break into a uneasy laughter. "I get it now. You're Juunishi, aren't you? You couldn't physically come after me even if you wanted to. How amusing…"
The three of them stared at her aghast, jaws hanging open, none of them uttering a word. Yuki was the first to break the awkward silence.
"Kiya-san…. How … how do you know about the Juunishi? Who ARE you?"
She didn't really know what to think of their performance, but she had to admit… they were pretty decent actors. She had to escape though. There was only one course of action…
"Hmph. I know all about the Juunishi… better than you might think," she stared at the two men wickedly, leisurely moving behind them as she spoke, placing one hand on Yuki's shoulder and another on Shigure's. "So… you're both Juunishi members, huh? Well, let's see exactly which one's you are…."and squeezed her fingers...
Kyo had heard most of the commotion from the kitchen as he drank from his personal carton of milk, refreshing himself after a extensive, vigorous run. He recognized the voices of Tohru and Yuki and Shigure, but there was one noticeably female voice, low and seductive sounding, almost menacing, that he did not recognize. Did they have guests? He listened suspiciously, his good cat senses coming into play. She was livid, heard her yell something about telling Akito to go to hell. What was going on in there? The voices died down, barely audible even to his exceptional range of hearing. But then he heard it… two very distinct "pyons"… one sounding right after another. He knew that sound all too well…the transformation sound from human to Juunishi animal. He dropped the carton and ran instinctively for the main room. Flinging the screen door open, he found himself face to face…with himself?
"Distant Thunder"
Tohru wrung out the wet cloth, cool water trickling out, sliding down her hand into the sink. She walked back into the main room where their strange guest lay sleeping. Their visitor had quite a fever. /Out in the rain too long/, she thought, /but this ought to bring it down./ The girl had collapsed right by the door. Neither Shigure nor Yuki could carry her to one of the extra bedrooms. If the huggled her the wrong way, they would turn into their respective Juunishi animals. So, they had dragged her ever so gently into their main room, Yuki running off to fetch one of Tohru's yukatas and a spare bedroll. The girl had been in and out of consciousness since then, and with a little help from Tohru, managed to shrug out of her wet, mud stained clothes, and into the dry, warm yukata. It was a little small for her; she was pretty curvaceous, after all, and her well-shaped arms and legs indicated that she worked out a lot to boot. But that wasn't what caught their attention. It was her resemblance to Kyo that was so utterly surprising; the same sharp-angled features, deep brown eyes, and most of all her mop of carrot colored hair that she wore midway down her back. It was lighter than Kyo's though, more of an orange-cream color with wisps of blonde here and there. The resemblance was uncanny, but they would let her sleep for the time being, Tohru draping the damp washcloth cross her forehead. Satisfied, she sat by the table, knees bent to her chest, letting her own thoughts consume her, wondering who this unusual girl was. They would know soon enough, however. Shigure and Yuki had already gone to bed, but Tohru chose to stay up just a bit longer, to make sure that their guest was as comfortable as possible. The girl shifted and moaned, as if troubled by nightmares and other upsets of the mind. Tohru listened to the light pitter-patter of rain outside, felt her senses numbing as she grew tired. So much rain lately. Would it ever stop? It just felt like more and more tragedy was befalling the Souma's. Was it because of her? Was she the source of their pain? Her normally optimistic nature faltering slightly, she let slip a few well-deserved tears. She had been through so much already, and she was only 17. She was happy to be here with Yuki and the others, but she couldn't help but let the melancholy overwhelm her sometimes. Although, she would never let them see her so defeated. That wasn't the Tohru they knew. She knew that they leaned on her for support, and she on them. Akito didn't like her; that was clear. There hadn't been much news about Akito since that fateful day when she finally confronted him. For the most part, it had been as though he had left their lives for the time being. She knew that too good to be true, and she suspected that he was planning something. All she could do was sit around and wait for it though… to wait and pick up the pieces. She yawned and then smiled slightly. Sitting around like this would bother Kyo to no extent… he being more the type to go and do something about it. And with her thoughts on Kyo now, she remembered the stranger. The resemblance really was uncanny, yet she had her own divergent features too… her own personality… the things that separated her from Tohru, and vice versa. If it weren't for the girls almond shaped eyes, a trait of any Japanese, she would have suspected that this girl was American…. far from home and afraid. She wondered how this girl dealt with the sadness in her life. /Does she hide from it, like me? Or maybe…she's more like Kyo, and faces it head on. I wish I could be more like that…more like the cat…/ And with those final thoughts, Tohru gave into the sleep that had began to overwhelm her.
Pale morning sunlight streamed through an open window in the barren room, casting shadows here and there, sharpening the harsh angles of Kyo's expression. He had been awake for most of the night, snoozing lightly on occasion, but never really falling into a deep sleep. He blamed that, in due part, to his pure anxiousness. The previous days events riled him, and as much as he tried, he could not forget those eyes. He had finally figured out why they bothered him so much… those eyes so much like his… so full of sadness and unbearable pain. He, too, knew what that was like. He dealt with it in his own way, not forgetting about it, but not letting it consume him either. He had to be strong, especially if he wanted to beat that damn mouse. He sat up, stretched his long, muscular arms, noting his own weariness. A little jog might do him some good. That and a cold shower, some breakfast… oh yeah, he had to study too. Big test in school soon. He slowly got up, and walked down to the wash room, determined not to think about that stupid, little cat anymore, muttering softly to himself… "Damn..."
First there were the hands. So many of them, holding her down, pinning her to whatever it was she was lying on. She couldn't move, she couldn't scream… nothing but a muffled cry escaped from the gag in her mouth. Then, the pain. So, much pain coursing through her entire body. /No more…/ she cried…/please… please stop/.
She awoke with a start, sitting up slightly, a bit dazed. Looking around a little, she began to take in her surroundings. /Where am I? What happened?/ She couldn't remember clearly what had happened. She had seen the house, could smell their delicious dinner, the scents and scenery drawing her near… and then darkness. And the dreams… The same dreams that had haunted her subconscious every night for as long as she could remember. Bringing her knees up to her chest, she curled in on herself and began to cry, overwhelmed by her sorrow.
"Daijoubu?" came a soft voice that startled her. She hadn't even realized someone sat next to her, staring at her through sleepy eyes filled with concern. A young girl, about her age, spoke again. "Hey, are you all right?"
She rubbed away her tears with her own arm. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a little tired, that's all." Silence. "What happened to me..?"
"You collapsed suddenly. I was so worried. You had a bit of a fever… " The cute brown haired girl explained, touching a soft hand to her forehead…"It seems to have passed. What a relief." She smiled. "I'm Tohru. Honda Tohru. And you are?"
"Kiya. Kiya So…" she stopped abruptly. "Kiya will do. It's nice to meet you, Honda-san." She held out a hand to Tohru, and Tohru took it in her own, a little surprised at the gesture. The shaking of hands was more of an American's way of greeting. Perhaps this girl, Kiya, was part American after all. /How interesting…/
Just then Shigure entered the room, a sleepy Yuki following close behind.
"Ah! You're up!" Shigure said as he approached the two girls. He smiled at Kiya. "You look better. Tohru-kun here was very worried about you. She didn't leave your side all night."
Kiya looked surprised. Never had anyone been so concerned about her before. But still, she must have been such a burden to her. "Thank you, Honda-san. I'm sorry to have caused you so much trouble."
Tohru shook her head with a smile. "No, not at all. But, I'm glad to see that you're feeling better." She got to her feet. "Hungry?"
Kiya smiled, truly for the first time in what felt like forever. "Starved."
"Thank you," she said meekly as Tohru handed her a warm cup of tea. She drank greedily, the heat helping to relax her soar muscles. She glanced around at the other two people seated with her at the table. The older of them, a man wearing traditional Japanese garb, the one called Shigure, had a silly grin on his face. The other next to him, a high school boy named Yuki, with stunning violet eyes, stared at her worriedly. He was cute, although not really her type as far as appearances were concerned. He somewhat reminded her of a… well, a mouse, actually. They all seemed friendly enough though, taking care of her when she fell unconscious, serving her breakfast. Such kindness was rare these days, and she wished she could repay them, but what could she possibly offer in return? She had…nothing. Tohru smiled at her sweetly.
"So, Kiya-san…" she began, "Um, I don't mean to pry… but uh, why were you out in that storm? It was very dangerous!"
"Well, actually, I uh… "She stumbled to find the right words to explain her story. She didn't want to tell them everything; no need to get them involved with her troubles. "The truth is I ran away from home."
Tohru was stunned. "What? But why? You're family must be so worried about you…"
Kiya grimaced slightly. "Um…I, uh…" she looked away. She couldn't tell them about her so-called family.
"Tohru-kun, don't bother Kiya-san with so many questions. She's had a rough time it seems." Shigure smiled in Kiya's direction. "Do you have any friends you can stay with?"
"No."
"Any place that you could go?"
"No."
"What are you going to?"
"I don't know."
"Can't you go home?"
"Don't wanna."
Shigure kept parading her with questions and concerns. Yuki rolled his eyes and cupped his chin in his hands. /Hypocrite…/ It was then that he noticed that Kyo was missing. He looked over at Tohru sitting on the far end of the table. As if anticipating his question, Tohru spoke. "Yuki-kun, have you seen Kyo-kun? He didn't come down for breakfast, and when I checked he wasn't in his room."
Kiya looked at her questioningly. "Kyo?" The name sounded very familiar to her, but she could not identify it. Still… where had she heard it before…
"Kyo's a member of Yuki's and my family who also lives here with us, "Shigure spat quickly before returning to the subject at hand, "Now, Kiya-san, we should really think about what we're going to do with you. You say you can't go home, and that you have nowhere to go… so…. " He thought long and hard for a moment, a look of pure seriousness etched across his face, only to be replaced by that same silly grin he always wore, "You can stay here with us!"
"EH?!" Tohru and Yuki starred at Shigure in shock.
"What?" he asked innocently. "Where else is she going to go? Besides, I don't mind having another cute girl in the household. She can stay until her family situation improves. And I'm sure Tohru-kun could use the help cleaning up after us. A house full of messy guys can be quite a handful even for our resourceful, little Tohru-kun."
Kiya opened her mouth to refuse, but Yuki beat her to it.
"Shigure, you know Akito will never allow it."
Tohru cringed at the mention of Akito's name, too busy with her own doubts and reservations of the family head to notice the look of trepidation on Kiya's face. Yuki continued.
"It was suspicious enough that he let Tohru live with us, but then the situation had been different. There is no way that Akito will let Kiya-san stay here, like it or not."
Kiya sat frozen, unable to move or blink, barely able to speak. "A…ki…to…"
Shigure glanced at her. "Yes. Akito, the head of our family."
Looking back and forth between Yuki and Shigure, Kiya forced herself to ask her next question, her fears and worries surfacing higher with each word. "You… are you… both… Souma's?"
"Eh? How did you know?" Yuki asked, bewilderedly. At this point Kiya was on her feet, fists trembling.
"You're both Souma's, and you didn't tell me!!"
Shigure shrugged. "It didn't seem necessary for you to know at the time. Kyo's a Souma too. I wonder where he ran off to.." Shigure didn't seem at all concerned that Kiya looked like she was about to start swinging at them. Tohru was nervous though.
"Kiya-san… are you ok? Why are you so angry?"
The look in Kiya's eyes was horrifying, like those of a frightened animal. She was visibly shaking now, ostensibly trying to control her anger. She wanted to run, but she held her ground, new that if she didn't make a stand against the Souma's now, that she may never have the strength or the chance. A sinister smile played across her face. She laughed, a hard, sharp and bitter sound. Tohru looked on wide-eyed
"Kiya…-san?"
"I must commend you for your efforts," she began, "Really, you had me fooled for a while. Did Akito put you up to this?"
Yuki looked flabbergasted. "Kiya-san, what are you talking about? Akito has nothing…"
"DON'T LIE TO ME!" she screamed. "Do you think I'm some kind of idiot!? I won't be tricked so easily! If you think I'll just go along with whatever you and Akito have planned, you are sorely mistaken. You want me? You'll have to catch me first!"
Shigure sighed. "Kiya-san, I think you've got the wrong idea. We have no intentions of 'catching' you."
Kiya was slightly stunned. "No intentions of…?" She fell silent for an instant, only to break into a uneasy laughter. "I get it now. You're Juunishi, aren't you? You couldn't physically come after me even if you wanted to. How amusing…"
The three of them stared at her aghast, jaws hanging open, none of them uttering a word. Yuki was the first to break the awkward silence.
"Kiya-san…. How … how do you know about the Juunishi? Who ARE you?"
She didn't really know what to think of their performance, but she had to admit… they were pretty decent actors. She had to escape though. There was only one course of action…
"Hmph. I know all about the Juunishi… better than you might think," she stared at the two men wickedly, leisurely moving behind them as she spoke, placing one hand on Yuki's shoulder and another on Shigure's. "So… you're both Juunishi members, huh? Well, let's see exactly which one's you are…."and squeezed her fingers...
Kyo had heard most of the commotion from the kitchen as he drank from his personal carton of milk, refreshing himself after a extensive, vigorous run. He recognized the voices of Tohru and Yuki and Shigure, but there was one noticeably female voice, low and seductive sounding, almost menacing, that he did not recognize. Did they have guests? He listened suspiciously, his good cat senses coming into play. She was livid, heard her yell something about telling Akito to go to hell. What was going on in there? The voices died down, barely audible even to his exceptional range of hearing. But then he heard it… two very distinct "pyons"… one sounding right after another. He knew that sound all too well…the transformation sound from human to Juunishi animal. He dropped the carton and ran instinctively for the main room. Flinging the screen door open, he found himself face to face…with himself?
