Winter Storm (v 5.0)
By Kelpy
Email: dragon@smadar.ca
Copyright December 2001-2002
Category: Drama/Humor
Rating: PG-13
A 'Fruits Basket' Fan Fiction
Original manga series by Takaya Natsuki
Published by Hana to Yume Comics (Japan)
--------------------------------------------------------------
This piece of work is not to be sold in any form. Takaya Natsuki or Hana to Yume Comics has not
authorized this piece in any way. It may be downloaded for personal reading. Please contact me
before presenting it for public use (posting to message boards/mailing lists, web sites, etc).
--------------------------------------------------------------
Author's note: Okay, now that all that legal stuff is out of the way, please accept my apologies
beforehand for any inconsistencies with the actual series, and the writing in general. Hope you have
fun reading it anyway. This story takes place sometime before volume 9 of the series. Comments
are always welcomed. Hope I have time to finish it. Didn't expect it to be so long.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Part 1: Anticipation
The early morning sky was still a calm misty blue, but as he scanned the horizon, Kyou noticed a
band of dark gray stretching across the distance. Still pencil thin, it came from the direction of the
coast. If he concentrated, he could smell a trace of the sea in the air. It looked like a storm was
coming. Sighing, he finished up his breathing exercises. He hated wet weather; it always seemed to
zap his energy. Storms in winter were the worse. Not only did the dampness bother him, but the
cold also seemed to creep right into his bones.
Standing up to stretch the stiffness out of his muscles, he shook a fist at the gray sliver in the sky,
and shouted, "I'm not going to let you bother me this time! I'm not an old man!" Or at least, he
wasn't going to let it show. He squatted back down, face in his hands, eyes half shut. He wasn't
going to let anybody realize how tired he felt when the storm came. He knew he was short-
tempered and moody at times, but when he was tired, it seemed ten times worse. He wasn't going
to let it catch him off guard, rushing him into a fight with that damned Rat, and making him lose
once again. He wasn't going to shout at Tohru for no reason again. He didn't want to see her
bewildered expression, or even pity in her face.
He remembered the looks of concern his Shishou had tried to hide from him, during the particularly
long rainy periods when he was feeling his worse. Kyou had caught them anyways, and even now,
a small wave of shame washed through him from his memories. He couldn't help it. Shishou had
sat down with him and tried to explain that it wasn't something to be ashamed about, that it wasn't
even really a weakness. So by now he had almost accepted it as a fact of life, but still - damn cat
spirit! Why did he have to be cursed by it? None of the others seemed to be bothered by the
dampness! A double curse!
Looking down from his perch on the roof, there were few animals in view. The few birds he did see
were all frantically feeding by the birdfeeder they had put up; the one that the three of them had put
up. That was something that was becoming more and more common as the weeks rolled by. Doing
things together, Tohru somehow linking them, keeping the peace.
Seeing Yuki still irritated him, but he no longer felt the blinding urge to pummel him every single
time they met face to face. Now their fights came about just once out of every four or five times
that they found themselves together, and even then, it never seemed to get much beyond words
these days. Whether this sort of truce was more for Tohru's sake, or the fact that it was pointless
and tiring to be fighting every five minutes, Kyou himself wasn't sure. He had a couple of reasons
to give that Rat a good beating, but he had other things that he wanted to do too. Perhaps the
reasons to fight were growing less important now? Despite himself, Kyou felt his mouth quirk up
into a wry grin. Was he finally growing up? If so, it was too bad he still always lost.
Strangely, the birds weren't fighting over the food as usual. The larger birds ignored each other, not
trying to hoard the best of the seeds for themselves. The little ones seemed to have puffed up their
chest feathers and bravely pecked at the food side by side with the larger birds. All was silent, no
bird songs, and no shrieks from the crows. His face darkened, it was going to be a bad storm. A
sudden gust of wind snaked down the front of his shirt, and he pulled his leather jacket closer
together. It was time to go back in, enough training for one morning. He climbed back down the
ladder.
--------------------------------------------------------------
"Thanks Honda-san, breakfast was very good this morning," said Yuki as he put his bowl into the
sink.
"Really? Thank you! I tried a new sauce recipe today." Tohru gathered up the rest of the bowls and
plates off the table, including Shigure's. Yuki glared at his lazy cousin.
"Ahh! Wasn't that just great! I love Tohru-kun's cooking. Nothing like a warm breakfast to start
off a cold winter's day!" Shigure sat patting his stomach, eyes half closed. Burp. Sensing
something, he opened his eyes, "Er, excuse me. Heh? Yuki-kuuun, why are you glaring at me so
harshly for?! I said I was sorry didn't I? Tohru-kun! Yuki's making scary faces at me! Argh! Make
him stop!" whined Shigure.
"Baka! The least you could do is bring your own stuff to the sink (you lazy old man)! Here, let me
help you, Honda-san," Yuki took some of the pieces out of Tohru's hands, and carried them to the
sink.
"That's okay. I don't mind," replied Tohru as she started to wash the last of the breakfast dishes.
"Still . . ." Standing beside her, cloth in hand, Yuki glanced at her smiling face and sighed. In the
background, he could still hear Shigure whining and protesting about how he (Shigure) always
helped Tohru out with the household chores - when he had time. He glanced up as the door slid
open. It was the Baka Neko.
Kyou stopped just inside the room, staring at them, "You - why? It's Sunday, don't you know?"
"So? What does it matter to you?" He turned his back on Kyou, and continued to dry the dishes that
Tohru handed to him.
For a moment, Kyou's hair bristled, then he shrugged and walked over to the fridge. "Makes no
difference to me that you're dressed in uniform on a Sunday," taking a carton of milk out of the
fridge, he took a long swig from it. "You don't usually wake up early on the weekends either."
Bending down to put the carton back, he noticed that it was the only carton left. "Tohru, I think
we're almost out of milk."
"Oh? We are? Let me see." Rushing over to stand close beside Kyou, Tohru checked inside the
fridge. "You're right, just one left. Kyou-kun really likes milk, ne?" She smiled up at him, and
Kyou found himself staring at her face, fascinated yet again. Her smiling face was so close.
"Baka Neko! You're the one that drinks most of the milk. Do you expect Honda-san to lug milk
back every day for you?" said Yuki, with a strong undercurrent of irritability. Shigure hid a small
smile behind his fan, as he watched the proceedings. It was fun to see that calm exterior of Yuki's
break every now and then, and it was starting to occur more and more often. Sharing the house with
his two younger cousins and Tohru-kun, certainly kept things entertaining.
Meanwhile, Kyou had stiffened up, cat eyes glaring at Yuki, fists clenched at his side. "When did I
ever say that?! Idiot Rat! Tohru, did I ever ask you to buy me milk every day?!" He turned to
Tohru, only realizing too late the angry expression that must have been on his face.
"Eto - no, you didn't, but don't worry. It's no trouble for me to pick some up on the way back."
Tohru glanced back and forth between the boys.
"Never mind. I can get the milk myself," and closed the fridge door quickly. Tohru barely had time
to step back.
"Baka Neko! Watch what you're doing. You almost hurt Honda-san!" cried Yuki.
"Stop calling me that! Why don't you go back to sleep, you're obviously not ready to be awake
yet!" Kyou shouted back.
"Ano - please stop! It's all right. I'm alright!" Tohru desperately tried to calm the two down, but
with no success.
Shigure decided it was time to step in, with his much-vaulted maturity (well, actually it was mostly
self-proclaimed). "Now, now boys. I'm sure you didn't mean to heap all the work on Tohru-kun.
Kyou-kun, Yuki is just thinking of Tohru-kun. And he clearly isn't use to being awake this early on
the weekend, so just calm down. To patch things up, why don't all three of you go to the grocery
store, hand-in-hand and pick up more milk and groceries. I wouldn't mind some more beer either.
Hm, or better yet, Tohru should stay home with me to keep me company while you two go!"
As one, the two boys turned to their older cousin, "You! Stay out of this, you lazy old man!"
Shigure whipped out a handkerchief and started to dab away at fake tears, and then bawled, " 'Old'
they say. They're always calling me old! I'm not even 30 yet! And here I am. Sharing my heart and
roof with them. And what do they do? They break my house, my furniture, my heart, and call me
'old'! Oh why are they so mean! Spoiled, ungrateful brats!"
Tohru stared at Shigure with round eyes, but the boys just turned their backs on his theatrics, a
popped vein on each of their foreheads.
"Tohru-kun!" exclaimed Shigure.
"Hai?"
"Do you think I'm old?"
"Eh? No of course not. And you're looking very smart in your new suit today."
The two boys glanced around in surprise at Tohru's remark.
"Honto? Well I am going to a special conference meeting for writers and publishers today.
Afterwards, I'll be dropping by to see Akito-san. He's been asking after us, especially about Yuki
and Kyou. So Tohru-kun, would you like to go with me to the conference? Everybody would be so
jealous if I bring a high school girl as my date. I can just see their faces now! Maybe you could
invite some of your girlfriends? A girl in a short mini-skirt on each arm! Please? Please, please be
my date?" Shigure's eyes swirled as he daydreamed.
Two fists suddenly came flying out of nowhere, and knocked Shigure to the floor. From his new
vantage point on the ground, a very angry Kyou and Yuki entered his field of vision. A fiery aura
shone around each of them. Tohru stood behind them, blushing a deep red.
"Shut-up you old pervert!"
Tohru peeked from behind Kyou's shoulder, "Gomen, Shigure-san. I'm sorry, but I already made
plans to go shopping for Christmas presents with Uo-chan and Hana-chan today."
Almost like magic, Shigure sprang back up into a sitting position. "Christmas presents? Really?
Don't spend too much money, but please get me a good one!" Then he jumped up and away before
the boys could have another go at him. "Ta-ta! I'm off now. I might stay over for supper at Akito-
san's so don't wait for me tonight. Yuki-kun! Shouldn't you be going to your school meeting now?
Shall we leave together?"
"School meeting? Are you having a student council meeting today, Yuki-kun?" asked Tohru.
"Hai. We're planning for the school festival today. And later, we're supposed to go out for an end
of the year celebration supper and karaoke party. I don't really want to go but . . ." Yuki picked up
his school bag, and started to follow after Shigure into the hallway, when he felt a tug on his sleeve.
"No. You really should go." It was Tohru.
"Huh? I just said that I was going."
"Yes, but I meant that you should want to go. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. It sounds like a lot of
fun. The others really like you. So, remember to have some fun instead of just watching everyone
else. I'm sure Yuki-kun will fit right in. Okay?"
Blushing slightly, Yuki nodded in agreement. "I'll try. I better get going now, or I'll be late." He
glanced down to where her fingers still held on to his sleeve. Tohru's eyes followed his and then
she blushed as well; quickly, she snatched her hand away.
"Hai, of course. Maybe I can walk out with you and Shigure-san? I'm supposed to meet Uo-chan
and Hana-chan soon too." Looking back at Kyou, she noticed that he had his face turned away from
Yuki and herself, arms crossed. "Kyou-kun, I left some lunch in the fridge. You just have to warm
it up. I'll be back before supper, so please don't worry about tonight."
Shigure popped his head back into the room. "Hehe! I heard that! Kyou-kun and Tohru-kun can
have a candlelight dinner together tonight! Just the two of them - whoo-hoo! Don't do anything I
wouldn't do, Kyou-kuuuuuun!" sang Shigure.
"Shut-up! There's no way I would do anything you would even remotely consider doing, you old
pervert!" Blushing a bright red, Kyou muttered aside, "Karoke party - the stupid Rat probably can't
sing in key anyway." Catching Tohru's eyes, he awkwardly replied, "Ignore that idiot. I'm fine.
Don't worry about my lunch, or rushing home to make supper for me. If necessary I can manage to
whip something up for myself, unlike that walking disaster in the kitchen!" indicating Yuki with a
flick of his hand.
"Hmph. Come on, let's leave the jealous fool. Shall we go now Honda-san?" The three made their
way to the front door, but before they could open it, Kyou made another remark.
"Try to return home early tonight."
They stared back at Kyou blankly. A question clearly marked on each of their faces.
"There's going to be a bad storm tonight," continued Kyou, eyes lowered, not meeting their curious
looks. For a moment there was silence.
Shigure finally laughed, "Oh Kyou! Are you scared to be alone at night? Don't you have a black
belt in the martial arts? Tohru-kun will keep you safe!" Without much luck, Tohru tried to protest
against Shigure's continued teasing. "Or maybe you're only telling Tohru-kun to come home early.
Do you have something up your sleeve?"
Yuki just stared at Kyou, wondering what he could be up to.
"How many times do I have to tell you to shut up, you old pervert! All I'm doing is warning the lot
of you! It's going to start snowing in the afternoon, and it's going to continue!" shouted Kyou.
Shigure opened the door, and then looked back at the others. "Come on now, Kyou-kun. You
expect me to believe that, in this part of the country? Look, the sky's bright blue, and there's hardly
a cloud in sight!" A brief pause and then, in a quieter voice, "Thanks for the warning though, I'll
keep it in mind." With a calm smile, he grabbed his briefcase and walked outside.
"Don't worry Kyou-kun. I'll be home by mid-afternoon anyway. Thanks for the warning," said
Tohru smiling. Still rather flushed in the face from Shigure's earlier insinuations, she followed the
older Sohma out the door.
Sighing, Kyou started to turn away when he noticed that Yuki was still standing there, staring at
him. "What are you looking at, Rat?" he scowled, both hands stuffed deep into his trousers'
pockets.
"Nothing." Yuki turned to follow the other two, when Kyou surprised him again.
"Yuki. I'm telling the truth. Either get home early, or go somewhere else that's safe."
Yuki turned his head to look at Kyou, but he had already left the hallway. Wordlessly, Yuki
stepped out and closed the door.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Walking between the two Sohmas down the wooded path, Tohru gazed at the sky through the bare
branches. "Do you think Kyou-kun is right? I mean the sky looks so calm and blue right now, and
there's hardly even frost on the ground," Tohru asked.
Yuki shrugged, "He's probably just imagining things. Maybe the idiot's coming down with
something, acting so weird." He thought back to Kyou's strange parting remark to him. He was still
a bit shocked that Kyou had pointedly warned him too. Concern for Honda-san, he could
understand, and maybe even for Shigure, but weren't the two of them mortal enemies? Or at least,
wasn't that what Kyou thought? He supposed that even a guy as transparent as Kyou might have
some secrets and a few thoughts that went deeper than the surface of his face. Well, aside from the
secret that hung over the inner Sohmas' lives.
Before he could ponder more over the subject, Shigure added his own comments on the matter.
"Well Tohru-kun, you know about our, uh - special circumstances, and the - 'skills' that come with
them. Possibly, Kyou-kun's little friends gave him some warning. Although I didn't hear anything
from my own companions."
"Really? That's great to have such wonderful pets, er, companions!" exclaimed Tohru. A picture of
cute little cats walking up to warn Kyou swam though her mind. She giggled at the image.
Meanwhile Yuki swung his head to look at his older cousin in surprise. He hadn't consider that
possibility at all, and usually he was fairly good at discerning the whys and how of things. He
supposed it could be true, his own little informants had been rather quiet the last day or so. Perhaps
they were busy making sure their winter homes were well prepared. Running a quick hand through
his hair, he aimlessly kicked a pebble out of his way. Whatever the case, he was still suspicious
about why Kyou had pointedly warned him about the weather too. Was Kyou so jealous about the
party that he wanted to ruin it for him?
With a subtle glance, Shigure checked to see what the others thought of his remarks as they
continued to walk along. With the dreamy expression on her face, Tohru-kun was probably
thinking about cute little pet cats. Yuki on the other hand seemed to be deep in thought. Few things
got by that sharp-eyed Rat!
He, himself, knew of course. The first time Kazuma-san, Kyou's beloved Shishou, had visited after
the boys had moved in, they had sat down for a quiet discussion about Kyou. They went over
Kyou's quirks, his tendencies, his attitude, and a few other things that the rest of the family might
have suspected, but didn't know for sure. His alternative transformation aside, there were other
'side effects' that the other jyuunishi members didn't have to deal with.
Shigure wasn't sure he was the best person to help keep these 'secrets', but beside Hatori, who else
was there? Kazuma was obviously concerned enough about Kyou that he felt Shigure should know
at least a few things. For instance, unlike other people, it wasn't just rainy day blahs for Kyou.
Though Kazuma hadn't exactly said it, Shigure suspected that Kyou had by now, developed a sort
of weather sense, just like all the old people with their arthritic bones and sensitive nerves. He
wondered if Yuki knew just how drained Kyou felt on rainy days.
Suddenly he heard Tohru's cheerful voice again. "Shigure-san. Yuki-kun. I guess we go our
separate ways from here. I'll see you when you get back tonight! Bye-bye!" and with that, Tohru
walked up the street that had appeared at the end of the dirt path. She was apparently oblivious to
the deep thoughts of her housemates.
"Bye Honda-san! Please pass my greetings to Uotani-san and Hanajima-san for me," replied Yuki.
Tohru waved back in acquiescence.
"See you later Tohru-kun!" added Shigure. Then when she was almost out of sight, they turned and
continued on down the street for another block or so. "Okay Yuki, I guess we part here. If your
party ends early, try to get home as soon as possible. If not, then maybe you should stay over at the
main house. Haru and Momiji would love to see you. And then, it's been awhile since you've seen
Akito-san, hasn't it?" Shigure caught the sudden stiffening in Yuki's form, though he tried to act
nonchalantly about it. So, there was still that hold on Yuki. He mentally shook his head before
giving Yuki a bright smile.
"Well I guess I'm off then. Dateless, because of you two boys! You sure you don't want to join me
as my date? I hear the food will be good!" he joked.
Yuki managed to push his earlier thoughts away and glared at Shigure, "Shut-up. Who would want
to go with the likes of you!? I'll see you later - back at home." He quickly turned his back to his
cousin and almost quick marched away.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Kyou stood staring out from his bedroom balcony. The cold wind blew past him to swirl the pages
of his homework inside. Closing his eyes, he remembered the rather blank expressions that the
others had given him. He still wasn't sure what possessed him to warn them. Or what was even
more puzzling to himself was why he had pointedly warned that irritating Yuki as well. Let the Rat
freeze in a snowdrift for all he cared!
His weather sense was undoubtedly related to his double curses, and by association it wasn't
something he wanted revealed. He didn't want to explain it to others, to reveal another weakness.
"As long as Tohru returns safely," he tried to tell himself. "I want to beat him in a fair fight. That
won't happen if he's sick or gone. It's not like I worry about him or Shigure, but -" Like the wind,
his thoughts swirled past him. He couldn't pin them down.
Finally exasperated by his confusing emotions, he stepped back in, slamming the door shut.
Ignoring his homework, he grabbed his coat and ran down the stairs to put his shoes on. He would
get the milk himself. Nodding at his decision and glad of having something to do other than wonder
about his feelings or intentions, he opened the door and looked up at the sky. Yes, it would be best
if he went now, before the storm got any closer.
Standing outside, he took a deep breath before turning back to latch the door. Suddenly he felt a
soft warm body brush up against his leg. Looking down, he saw that it was a member of his animal
followers, his constant companions. Bending down he absently patted the smoke gray cat. Purring,
the cat pushed at his hand. He noted that this was a new mother, and wondered where her kittens
were. Wasn't it a bit strange to have kittens at this time of the year?
Abruptly she stopped purring, her head twisted and she nipped at his hand. "Why you!" Pulling his
hand away, Kyou stared into the blue eyes, "Oh. I see." Standing up, he went back into the house
and examined his options. Finally he decided on Shigure's study. Shigure would be gone all day,
and he would probably wake up late the next morning anyway. The room was on the ground floor,
cozy and somewhat out of the way. He slid the door open and started to walk back to the waiting
cat. On a whim, he ran up and grabbed his empty knapsack, before heading back down to the front
door.
"Okay, I've done as you asked. Well?" he asked the cat. In his present form, he doubted the animal
understood his words, but he could touch her mind. She laid a smoke gray paw on his shoe for
moment and then sat back on her haunches, waiting. "Aren't you -? Fine. I'll be leaving now then.
Don't make a mess, and if there are others . . ." He pulled the front door almost to a close, stepped
past the cat, and walked down the path. She was a wild stray, and despite their special connection,
she was still wary of him. All cats were independent and held a certain aloofness; he understood
that she didn't want to reveal the site where she had hid her kittens, even to him. He suddenly
realized that the storm might be worse than he had thought. Slipping a hand into his pocket to
check for money, his feet started him on a light jog towards the rest of civilization.
--------------------------------------------------------------
By Kelpy
Email: dragon@smadar.ca
Copyright December 2001-2002
Category: Drama/Humor
Rating: PG-13
A 'Fruits Basket' Fan Fiction
Original manga series by Takaya Natsuki
Published by Hana to Yume Comics (Japan)
--------------------------------------------------------------
This piece of work is not to be sold in any form. Takaya Natsuki or Hana to Yume Comics has not
authorized this piece in any way. It may be downloaded for personal reading. Please contact me
before presenting it for public use (posting to message boards/mailing lists, web sites, etc).
--------------------------------------------------------------
Author's note: Okay, now that all that legal stuff is out of the way, please accept my apologies
beforehand for any inconsistencies with the actual series, and the writing in general. Hope you have
fun reading it anyway. This story takes place sometime before volume 9 of the series. Comments
are always welcomed. Hope I have time to finish it. Didn't expect it to be so long.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Part 1: Anticipation
The early morning sky was still a calm misty blue, but as he scanned the horizon, Kyou noticed a
band of dark gray stretching across the distance. Still pencil thin, it came from the direction of the
coast. If he concentrated, he could smell a trace of the sea in the air. It looked like a storm was
coming. Sighing, he finished up his breathing exercises. He hated wet weather; it always seemed to
zap his energy. Storms in winter were the worse. Not only did the dampness bother him, but the
cold also seemed to creep right into his bones.
Standing up to stretch the stiffness out of his muscles, he shook a fist at the gray sliver in the sky,
and shouted, "I'm not going to let you bother me this time! I'm not an old man!" Or at least, he
wasn't going to let it show. He squatted back down, face in his hands, eyes half shut. He wasn't
going to let anybody realize how tired he felt when the storm came. He knew he was short-
tempered and moody at times, but when he was tired, it seemed ten times worse. He wasn't going
to let it catch him off guard, rushing him into a fight with that damned Rat, and making him lose
once again. He wasn't going to shout at Tohru for no reason again. He didn't want to see her
bewildered expression, or even pity in her face.
He remembered the looks of concern his Shishou had tried to hide from him, during the particularly
long rainy periods when he was feeling his worse. Kyou had caught them anyways, and even now,
a small wave of shame washed through him from his memories. He couldn't help it. Shishou had
sat down with him and tried to explain that it wasn't something to be ashamed about, that it wasn't
even really a weakness. So by now he had almost accepted it as a fact of life, but still - damn cat
spirit! Why did he have to be cursed by it? None of the others seemed to be bothered by the
dampness! A double curse!
Looking down from his perch on the roof, there were few animals in view. The few birds he did see
were all frantically feeding by the birdfeeder they had put up; the one that the three of them had put
up. That was something that was becoming more and more common as the weeks rolled by. Doing
things together, Tohru somehow linking them, keeping the peace.
Seeing Yuki still irritated him, but he no longer felt the blinding urge to pummel him every single
time they met face to face. Now their fights came about just once out of every four or five times
that they found themselves together, and even then, it never seemed to get much beyond words
these days. Whether this sort of truce was more for Tohru's sake, or the fact that it was pointless
and tiring to be fighting every five minutes, Kyou himself wasn't sure. He had a couple of reasons
to give that Rat a good beating, but he had other things that he wanted to do too. Perhaps the
reasons to fight were growing less important now? Despite himself, Kyou felt his mouth quirk up
into a wry grin. Was he finally growing up? If so, it was too bad he still always lost.
Strangely, the birds weren't fighting over the food as usual. The larger birds ignored each other, not
trying to hoard the best of the seeds for themselves. The little ones seemed to have puffed up their
chest feathers and bravely pecked at the food side by side with the larger birds. All was silent, no
bird songs, and no shrieks from the crows. His face darkened, it was going to be a bad storm. A
sudden gust of wind snaked down the front of his shirt, and he pulled his leather jacket closer
together. It was time to go back in, enough training for one morning. He climbed back down the
ladder.
--------------------------------------------------------------
"Thanks Honda-san, breakfast was very good this morning," said Yuki as he put his bowl into the
sink.
"Really? Thank you! I tried a new sauce recipe today." Tohru gathered up the rest of the bowls and
plates off the table, including Shigure's. Yuki glared at his lazy cousin.
"Ahh! Wasn't that just great! I love Tohru-kun's cooking. Nothing like a warm breakfast to start
off a cold winter's day!" Shigure sat patting his stomach, eyes half closed. Burp. Sensing
something, he opened his eyes, "Er, excuse me. Heh? Yuki-kuuun, why are you glaring at me so
harshly for?! I said I was sorry didn't I? Tohru-kun! Yuki's making scary faces at me! Argh! Make
him stop!" whined Shigure.
"Baka! The least you could do is bring your own stuff to the sink (you lazy old man)! Here, let me
help you, Honda-san," Yuki took some of the pieces out of Tohru's hands, and carried them to the
sink.
"That's okay. I don't mind," replied Tohru as she started to wash the last of the breakfast dishes.
"Still . . ." Standing beside her, cloth in hand, Yuki glanced at her smiling face and sighed. In the
background, he could still hear Shigure whining and protesting about how he (Shigure) always
helped Tohru out with the household chores - when he had time. He glanced up as the door slid
open. It was the Baka Neko.
Kyou stopped just inside the room, staring at them, "You - why? It's Sunday, don't you know?"
"So? What does it matter to you?" He turned his back on Kyou, and continued to dry the dishes that
Tohru handed to him.
For a moment, Kyou's hair bristled, then he shrugged and walked over to the fridge. "Makes no
difference to me that you're dressed in uniform on a Sunday," taking a carton of milk out of the
fridge, he took a long swig from it. "You don't usually wake up early on the weekends either."
Bending down to put the carton back, he noticed that it was the only carton left. "Tohru, I think
we're almost out of milk."
"Oh? We are? Let me see." Rushing over to stand close beside Kyou, Tohru checked inside the
fridge. "You're right, just one left. Kyou-kun really likes milk, ne?" She smiled up at him, and
Kyou found himself staring at her face, fascinated yet again. Her smiling face was so close.
"Baka Neko! You're the one that drinks most of the milk. Do you expect Honda-san to lug milk
back every day for you?" said Yuki, with a strong undercurrent of irritability. Shigure hid a small
smile behind his fan, as he watched the proceedings. It was fun to see that calm exterior of Yuki's
break every now and then, and it was starting to occur more and more often. Sharing the house with
his two younger cousins and Tohru-kun, certainly kept things entertaining.
Meanwhile, Kyou had stiffened up, cat eyes glaring at Yuki, fists clenched at his side. "When did I
ever say that?! Idiot Rat! Tohru, did I ever ask you to buy me milk every day?!" He turned to
Tohru, only realizing too late the angry expression that must have been on his face.
"Eto - no, you didn't, but don't worry. It's no trouble for me to pick some up on the way back."
Tohru glanced back and forth between the boys.
"Never mind. I can get the milk myself," and closed the fridge door quickly. Tohru barely had time
to step back.
"Baka Neko! Watch what you're doing. You almost hurt Honda-san!" cried Yuki.
"Stop calling me that! Why don't you go back to sleep, you're obviously not ready to be awake
yet!" Kyou shouted back.
"Ano - please stop! It's all right. I'm alright!" Tohru desperately tried to calm the two down, but
with no success.
Shigure decided it was time to step in, with his much-vaulted maturity (well, actually it was mostly
self-proclaimed). "Now, now boys. I'm sure you didn't mean to heap all the work on Tohru-kun.
Kyou-kun, Yuki is just thinking of Tohru-kun. And he clearly isn't use to being awake this early on
the weekend, so just calm down. To patch things up, why don't all three of you go to the grocery
store, hand-in-hand and pick up more milk and groceries. I wouldn't mind some more beer either.
Hm, or better yet, Tohru should stay home with me to keep me company while you two go!"
As one, the two boys turned to their older cousin, "You! Stay out of this, you lazy old man!"
Shigure whipped out a handkerchief and started to dab away at fake tears, and then bawled, " 'Old'
they say. They're always calling me old! I'm not even 30 yet! And here I am. Sharing my heart and
roof with them. And what do they do? They break my house, my furniture, my heart, and call me
'old'! Oh why are they so mean! Spoiled, ungrateful brats!"
Tohru stared at Shigure with round eyes, but the boys just turned their backs on his theatrics, a
popped vein on each of their foreheads.
"Tohru-kun!" exclaimed Shigure.
"Hai?"
"Do you think I'm old?"
"Eh? No of course not. And you're looking very smart in your new suit today."
The two boys glanced around in surprise at Tohru's remark.
"Honto? Well I am going to a special conference meeting for writers and publishers today.
Afterwards, I'll be dropping by to see Akito-san. He's been asking after us, especially about Yuki
and Kyou. So Tohru-kun, would you like to go with me to the conference? Everybody would be so
jealous if I bring a high school girl as my date. I can just see their faces now! Maybe you could
invite some of your girlfriends? A girl in a short mini-skirt on each arm! Please? Please, please be
my date?" Shigure's eyes swirled as he daydreamed.
Two fists suddenly came flying out of nowhere, and knocked Shigure to the floor. From his new
vantage point on the ground, a very angry Kyou and Yuki entered his field of vision. A fiery aura
shone around each of them. Tohru stood behind them, blushing a deep red.
"Shut-up you old pervert!"
Tohru peeked from behind Kyou's shoulder, "Gomen, Shigure-san. I'm sorry, but I already made
plans to go shopping for Christmas presents with Uo-chan and Hana-chan today."
Almost like magic, Shigure sprang back up into a sitting position. "Christmas presents? Really?
Don't spend too much money, but please get me a good one!" Then he jumped up and away before
the boys could have another go at him. "Ta-ta! I'm off now. I might stay over for supper at Akito-
san's so don't wait for me tonight. Yuki-kun! Shouldn't you be going to your school meeting now?
Shall we leave together?"
"School meeting? Are you having a student council meeting today, Yuki-kun?" asked Tohru.
"Hai. We're planning for the school festival today. And later, we're supposed to go out for an end
of the year celebration supper and karaoke party. I don't really want to go but . . ." Yuki picked up
his school bag, and started to follow after Shigure into the hallway, when he felt a tug on his sleeve.
"No. You really should go." It was Tohru.
"Huh? I just said that I was going."
"Yes, but I meant that you should want to go. I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. It sounds like a lot of
fun. The others really like you. So, remember to have some fun instead of just watching everyone
else. I'm sure Yuki-kun will fit right in. Okay?"
Blushing slightly, Yuki nodded in agreement. "I'll try. I better get going now, or I'll be late." He
glanced down to where her fingers still held on to his sleeve. Tohru's eyes followed his and then
she blushed as well; quickly, she snatched her hand away.
"Hai, of course. Maybe I can walk out with you and Shigure-san? I'm supposed to meet Uo-chan
and Hana-chan soon too." Looking back at Kyou, she noticed that he had his face turned away from
Yuki and herself, arms crossed. "Kyou-kun, I left some lunch in the fridge. You just have to warm
it up. I'll be back before supper, so please don't worry about tonight."
Shigure popped his head back into the room. "Hehe! I heard that! Kyou-kun and Tohru-kun can
have a candlelight dinner together tonight! Just the two of them - whoo-hoo! Don't do anything I
wouldn't do, Kyou-kuuuuuun!" sang Shigure.
"Shut-up! There's no way I would do anything you would even remotely consider doing, you old
pervert!" Blushing a bright red, Kyou muttered aside, "Karoke party - the stupid Rat probably can't
sing in key anyway." Catching Tohru's eyes, he awkwardly replied, "Ignore that idiot. I'm fine.
Don't worry about my lunch, or rushing home to make supper for me. If necessary I can manage to
whip something up for myself, unlike that walking disaster in the kitchen!" indicating Yuki with a
flick of his hand.
"Hmph. Come on, let's leave the jealous fool. Shall we go now Honda-san?" The three made their
way to the front door, but before they could open it, Kyou made another remark.
"Try to return home early tonight."
They stared back at Kyou blankly. A question clearly marked on each of their faces.
"There's going to be a bad storm tonight," continued Kyou, eyes lowered, not meeting their curious
looks. For a moment there was silence.
Shigure finally laughed, "Oh Kyou! Are you scared to be alone at night? Don't you have a black
belt in the martial arts? Tohru-kun will keep you safe!" Without much luck, Tohru tried to protest
against Shigure's continued teasing. "Or maybe you're only telling Tohru-kun to come home early.
Do you have something up your sleeve?"
Yuki just stared at Kyou, wondering what he could be up to.
"How many times do I have to tell you to shut up, you old pervert! All I'm doing is warning the lot
of you! It's going to start snowing in the afternoon, and it's going to continue!" shouted Kyou.
Shigure opened the door, and then looked back at the others. "Come on now, Kyou-kun. You
expect me to believe that, in this part of the country? Look, the sky's bright blue, and there's hardly
a cloud in sight!" A brief pause and then, in a quieter voice, "Thanks for the warning though, I'll
keep it in mind." With a calm smile, he grabbed his briefcase and walked outside.
"Don't worry Kyou-kun. I'll be home by mid-afternoon anyway. Thanks for the warning," said
Tohru smiling. Still rather flushed in the face from Shigure's earlier insinuations, she followed the
older Sohma out the door.
Sighing, Kyou started to turn away when he noticed that Yuki was still standing there, staring at
him. "What are you looking at, Rat?" he scowled, both hands stuffed deep into his trousers'
pockets.
"Nothing." Yuki turned to follow the other two, when Kyou surprised him again.
"Yuki. I'm telling the truth. Either get home early, or go somewhere else that's safe."
Yuki turned his head to look at Kyou, but he had already left the hallway. Wordlessly, Yuki
stepped out and closed the door.
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Walking between the two Sohmas down the wooded path, Tohru gazed at the sky through the bare
branches. "Do you think Kyou-kun is right? I mean the sky looks so calm and blue right now, and
there's hardly even frost on the ground," Tohru asked.
Yuki shrugged, "He's probably just imagining things. Maybe the idiot's coming down with
something, acting so weird." He thought back to Kyou's strange parting remark to him. He was still
a bit shocked that Kyou had pointedly warned him too. Concern for Honda-san, he could
understand, and maybe even for Shigure, but weren't the two of them mortal enemies? Or at least,
wasn't that what Kyou thought? He supposed that even a guy as transparent as Kyou might have
some secrets and a few thoughts that went deeper than the surface of his face. Well, aside from the
secret that hung over the inner Sohmas' lives.
Before he could ponder more over the subject, Shigure added his own comments on the matter.
"Well Tohru-kun, you know about our, uh - special circumstances, and the - 'skills' that come with
them. Possibly, Kyou-kun's little friends gave him some warning. Although I didn't hear anything
from my own companions."
"Really? That's great to have such wonderful pets, er, companions!" exclaimed Tohru. A picture of
cute little cats walking up to warn Kyou swam though her mind. She giggled at the image.
Meanwhile Yuki swung his head to look at his older cousin in surprise. He hadn't consider that
possibility at all, and usually he was fairly good at discerning the whys and how of things. He
supposed it could be true, his own little informants had been rather quiet the last day or so. Perhaps
they were busy making sure their winter homes were well prepared. Running a quick hand through
his hair, he aimlessly kicked a pebble out of his way. Whatever the case, he was still suspicious
about why Kyou had pointedly warned him about the weather too. Was Kyou so jealous about the
party that he wanted to ruin it for him?
With a subtle glance, Shigure checked to see what the others thought of his remarks as they
continued to walk along. With the dreamy expression on her face, Tohru-kun was probably
thinking about cute little pet cats. Yuki on the other hand seemed to be deep in thought. Few things
got by that sharp-eyed Rat!
He, himself, knew of course. The first time Kazuma-san, Kyou's beloved Shishou, had visited after
the boys had moved in, they had sat down for a quiet discussion about Kyou. They went over
Kyou's quirks, his tendencies, his attitude, and a few other things that the rest of the family might
have suspected, but didn't know for sure. His alternative transformation aside, there were other
'side effects' that the other jyuunishi members didn't have to deal with.
Shigure wasn't sure he was the best person to help keep these 'secrets', but beside Hatori, who else
was there? Kazuma was obviously concerned enough about Kyou that he felt Shigure should know
at least a few things. For instance, unlike other people, it wasn't just rainy day blahs for Kyou.
Though Kazuma hadn't exactly said it, Shigure suspected that Kyou had by now, developed a sort
of weather sense, just like all the old people with their arthritic bones and sensitive nerves. He
wondered if Yuki knew just how drained Kyou felt on rainy days.
Suddenly he heard Tohru's cheerful voice again. "Shigure-san. Yuki-kun. I guess we go our
separate ways from here. I'll see you when you get back tonight! Bye-bye!" and with that, Tohru
walked up the street that had appeared at the end of the dirt path. She was apparently oblivious to
the deep thoughts of her housemates.
"Bye Honda-san! Please pass my greetings to Uotani-san and Hanajima-san for me," replied Yuki.
Tohru waved back in acquiescence.
"See you later Tohru-kun!" added Shigure. Then when she was almost out of sight, they turned and
continued on down the street for another block or so. "Okay Yuki, I guess we part here. If your
party ends early, try to get home as soon as possible. If not, then maybe you should stay over at the
main house. Haru and Momiji would love to see you. And then, it's been awhile since you've seen
Akito-san, hasn't it?" Shigure caught the sudden stiffening in Yuki's form, though he tried to act
nonchalantly about it. So, there was still that hold on Yuki. He mentally shook his head before
giving Yuki a bright smile.
"Well I guess I'm off then. Dateless, because of you two boys! You sure you don't want to join me
as my date? I hear the food will be good!" he joked.
Yuki managed to push his earlier thoughts away and glared at Shigure, "Shut-up. Who would want
to go with the likes of you!? I'll see you later - back at home." He quickly turned his back to his
cousin and almost quick marched away.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Kyou stood staring out from his bedroom balcony. The cold wind blew past him to swirl the pages
of his homework inside. Closing his eyes, he remembered the rather blank expressions that the
others had given him. He still wasn't sure what possessed him to warn them. Or what was even
more puzzling to himself was why he had pointedly warned that irritating Yuki as well. Let the Rat
freeze in a snowdrift for all he cared!
His weather sense was undoubtedly related to his double curses, and by association it wasn't
something he wanted revealed. He didn't want to explain it to others, to reveal another weakness.
"As long as Tohru returns safely," he tried to tell himself. "I want to beat him in a fair fight. That
won't happen if he's sick or gone. It's not like I worry about him or Shigure, but -" Like the wind,
his thoughts swirled past him. He couldn't pin them down.
Finally exasperated by his confusing emotions, he stepped back in, slamming the door shut.
Ignoring his homework, he grabbed his coat and ran down the stairs to put his shoes on. He would
get the milk himself. Nodding at his decision and glad of having something to do other than wonder
about his feelings or intentions, he opened the door and looked up at the sky. Yes, it would be best
if he went now, before the storm got any closer.
Standing outside, he took a deep breath before turning back to latch the door. Suddenly he felt a
soft warm body brush up against his leg. Looking down, he saw that it was a member of his animal
followers, his constant companions. Bending down he absently patted the smoke gray cat. Purring,
the cat pushed at his hand. He noted that this was a new mother, and wondered where her kittens
were. Wasn't it a bit strange to have kittens at this time of the year?
Abruptly she stopped purring, her head twisted and she nipped at his hand. "Why you!" Pulling his
hand away, Kyou stared into the blue eyes, "Oh. I see." Standing up, he went back into the house
and examined his options. Finally he decided on Shigure's study. Shigure would be gone all day,
and he would probably wake up late the next morning anyway. The room was on the ground floor,
cozy and somewhat out of the way. He slid the door open and started to walk back to the waiting
cat. On a whim, he ran up and grabbed his empty knapsack, before heading back down to the front
door.
"Okay, I've done as you asked. Well?" he asked the cat. In his present form, he doubted the animal
understood his words, but he could touch her mind. She laid a smoke gray paw on his shoe for
moment and then sat back on her haunches, waiting. "Aren't you -? Fine. I'll be leaving now then.
Don't make a mess, and if there are others . . ." He pulled the front door almost to a close, stepped
past the cat, and walked down the path. She was a wild stray, and despite their special connection,
she was still wary of him. All cats were independent and held a certain aloofness; he understood
that she didn't want to reveal the site where she had hid her kittens, even to him. He suddenly
realized that the storm might be worse than he had thought. Slipping a hand into his pocket to
check for money, his feet started him on a light jog towards the rest of civilization.
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