Chapter 3
Treading Different Waters
Nami awoke that morning in a very cheerful mood. She was thrilled with the change of scenery, and what's more, she had an exceptional night's sleep. She turned her side and was rather shocked to see an orange cat staring intently at her. She sat up and started intently back at him.
"Good morning," she said with a pleasant smile.
"Yo," said the cat.
"You must be Kyou!" Nami was delighted with her discovery, and she had immediately taken a liking to him. She reached over and scratched his chin, and he angrily bit her hand. She didn't pull back or even flinch. In fact, she contently let him gnaw at her thumb while she scratched his ear with her other hand. He spit out her finger and stared at her in an unsatisfied manner.
"Didn't that hurt?" He demanded.
"I live with Akito-san. I've had worse," she answered him in the most sincere and friendly way. Truthfully, Kyou was a bit taken aback by this and resorted to let her pet him, for the moment at least. He didn't expect her to be so.. open? Not even Yuki would say something like that.
"I heard that you're sick," she said. Kyou growled. Just like Yuki to tell the world of his weaknesses.
"What do you care?" He asked and slumped down on the bed. "I'm better now," he mumbled. Nami smiled at him and realized that he probably didn't want to talk about it.
"Kyou?" She asked sweetly. He looked up at her, annoyed by the fact that he might start purring any moment now. "Just out of curiosity, how did you transform this morning?"
"Let's just say I didn't expect to find a girl sleeping in my bed," he answered and pulled away. He began walking off, but with one swift move Nami swept the ball of orange fur into her arms.
"You'll have to forgive me," she began jokingly. "I thought it was Yuki's room but I really should have guessed when I found a hairball earlier."
Kyou growled. He didn't find it nearly as funny as she did. She giggled and let him go. He decided to leave the room, but that didn't work out quite as he had planned. He transformed back to his human form, and scrambled to wrap a bed sheet around himself.
"What are you staring at?" He demanded, a bit more embarrassed than usual. He sneezed.
"Nothing," Nami shrugged. "I just think you're cuter in cat form." Carelessly, she wrapped her arms around him again, and he turned back into a cat. She picked him up and left the room with him. He hissed at her the whole way, but she didn't particularly mind.
"You're worse than Kagura," he said to her as they descended the stairs.
"You're too cute. I can't see why everyone complains about you so much." She laughed and squeezed him tighter. Kyou growled and hissed and threw a tantrum. Again, she didn't exceptionally mind. His tantrum was much more welcome than any Akito has ever thrown.
"Who complains?" Demanded the cat. "It's the kuso nezumi, isn't it? That arrogant baka.."
Nami pouted. "Ano, Kyou-Neko. Don't be mean. Why do you always pick a fight with Yuki-kun?"
Kyou remained silent.
"Is it because you think that you'll be accepted into the Juunishi if you do?" She asked, flicking his ear back and forth with her finger.
Kyou was surprised by this statement. She knew more than he had expected... and the way she made it sound. It sounded as if by her saying it, it became absurd. He thought about it for a moment, but realized that Nami wasn't expecting an answer anymore.
"Gooood morning, Nami-kun!" Shigure sang from the kitchen.
"Good morning, Gure-san," she said sweetly to him and let Kyou down on the ground. He scurried away, in case he'd change back at any moment.
"I see you met Kyou-kun," Shigure said as he keenly stirred something in a pot. "He's been sulking somewhere for a whole day now; I'm surprised he decided to come back home so soon."
Nami nodded and looked into the pot. She scrunched her nose at Shigure. "Maa, I know," he said and hung his head.
"Gure-san," she said lovingly. "We'll think of something." He looked up at her and his regular optimistic expression reappeared, making it seem like the whole disappointment thing was just a big joke.
"Kyou-Neko!" Nami giggled and called him over. He walked into the kitchen, casually as always. "I hear you can cook," she ran to him, pulled out a spatula from thin air and handed it to him. He sneezed again, hoping to discourage them from making him cook.
"Good luck!" Shigure called as he left the kitchen with Nami.
"I just can't help myself! Kawaii!" Nami ran back to Kyou and hugged him. He transformed immediately and she cradled him in her arms.
"Maa, Nami-kun!" Shigure pouted. "Now we'll never eat!"
"Gomen, Gure-san! But just look how adorable!" Nami pinched Kyou's furry cheeks and he took the opportunity to bite her again. She found that his teeth in her wrist were slightly uncomfortable but that's all. She could deal with slightly uncomfortable. She looked over at Shigure who had an everlasting smile spread from ear to ear, and again at Kyou who was pawing at her chin.
"You know you like it, Kyou!" Shigure's voice seemed strangely distant.
Suddenly, Nami was overwhelmed by a painful feeling growing in the pit of her stomach. The idea that this was all coming to a quick halt produced that feeling. Kyou's teeth were nothing compared to this. She had been splendidly happy from the moment she saw Shigure standing at the door. She absolutely loved Kyou and couldn't get enough of him. If Yuki had been there it would have been all the more wonderful, and she was absolutely sure she'd love Tohru the minute she met her. Her life with Akito seemed so distant to her at that moment. Almost like a bad dream. Her eyes narrowed and her breathing slowed as the feeling got more intense. She was to go back before sunset. Back to Akito's anger, back to Hatori's pain, back to the darkness and the lies.
Nami completely closed her eyes and let Kyou down slowly. He scattered away, and Shigure went to her seeing that something was the matter. He knelt down next to her, but she could barely feel his hand on her shoulder. She knew she was needed at Akito's house. She finally felt that she was getting through to him as he became less and less angry. Her talks with Hatori were wonderful but so depressing. She knew that all her pain tripled couldn't match what either of them had gone through. Still, she wished briefly that she could just stay in this world. The world of her old friends, of the ever smiling Shigure and the adorable Kyou-Neko.
"Nami-kun.."
Nami finally heard the faint voice and felt Shigure's hand on her cheek. She opened her eyes and saw a blurry vision of him kneeling in front of her.
"'Gure..." Nami couldn't explain it but it seemed like he shouldn't be there. Maybe it was that she shouldn't be there. She didn't know, but something was off to her.
"What were you thinking about?" He asked, curious.
"Just how much I enjoyed spending the night here," Nami answered pleasantly, shaking off the feeling, and stood up with him.
"I was worried there for a moment. Come sit down with me," he said somewhat seriously, and led her to the living room. They sat down on the couch and Kyou reappeared in another set of clothing. He did not sit down.
"It's ok, Kyou-kun. I promise I won't hug you again." She looked up at him with friendly eyes and bade he sit down.
After careful consideration, he decided that he might sit. At that point, he noticed her hand which bled from the teeth that pierced through it. His first instinct as a cat was to lick it but he decisively stopped himself. What are you thinking, Kyou? A sudden feeling of guilt started up inside him and he tried to squash it. He kicked himself for being so stubborn.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Shigure seemed genuinely concerned with her well being. She nodded reassuringly.
"Kyou-Neko! What ever happened to that breakfast?" Nami said, trying to mask her feelings as well as she could. She didn't want to taint this happy house with the thoughts she was having. Besides, she was knew that it would only last so long and she should make the best of it.
Kyou stood up and made his way to the kitchen, a bit uncertain of exactly how he should act. He knew there was something the matter with her but he hadn't the slightest idea of what to do about it. Several minutes later, he came back with a box in his hands.
"Maa, Kyou has a surprise!" Shigure sang.
"Shut up," Kyou barked back and sat down next to Nami again. He opened the box and pulled out a small, adhesive bandage. He took her hand and placed it over the spot where he bit her.
Pleasantly surprised by this kindness, Nami almost squeaked. "Kyou- kun! How nice!"
"Kyou, the gentleman?" Shigure snickered.
They had breakfast, which Shigure insisted they'll make for Nami. Fortunately for Kyou, she was not a big leek fan herself. It was a pleasant meal, filled with laughter and conversation. Much unlike the ones she usually has, alone. Shigure enchanted them with a story of how Kyou and Yuki bathed together when they were young.
"... it was the cutest thing in the world!" He managed to say in between laughing. Nami was toppled over on the floor, overcome with hilarity. Kyou, on the other hand, hissed, growled and threw another tantrum.
"Kyou-kun, don't be so cross! It was adorable, especially the part with the dish towel and the rubber ducky.." Nami couldn't even finish her sentence as she and Shigure started into a whole new set of laughter. Kyou would never admit it but he was fighting back as smirk as well.
When they calmed down, Nami announced that she would go pack her things, just in case they came early. It would only take her a few minutes. She ran upstairs, dragging Kyou behind her.
"Definitely Kagura-like behavior," he mumbled to himself.
As they entered Kyou's room, Nami swung around to face him and suddenly became very serious. This left him to wonder what had abruptly changed so much. She closed the door and spoke to him in the most solemn manner he had heard from her yet.
"You know, I trust Shigure with my life but this is a little different. He's close to Akito and even closer to Hatori. I don't know how to explain it but I need your help." She took his hands and lowered her voice to a mere whisper.
Kyou's jaw dropped. This was definitely unexpected. "What the hell are you talking about?" He asked, very confused.
"I need you to help me run away. As far away as possible from this family, no offence."
"You're crazy," Kyou commented and turned to leave.
"Come with me," she pleaded. "Help me get away from this. I can't do it alone."
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."
"Kyou-san, onegai!" She begged him almost to the point of tears.
She's desperate, Kyou thought. Could it really be this awful? He saw the misery in her eyes and knew he couldn't let her go back there. He understood.
"I'll take Shigure to the front of the house. Go to the garden and bring your things. I'll meet you there," he said.
An incredible smile appeared on her face and she had to restrain herself from jumping on him.
"Naaaaami-kuuuuun!" Shigure sang from downstairs.
"Arigato, Kyou-kun," she said as Kyou turned to leave the room. He opened the door and stepped out a bit before Shigure made the next announcement.
"Ha-san is here for yoooouu!!"
Kyou and Nami froze. Her grateful smile faded immediately and he could see the misery return to her eyes.
She picked up her bag and made her way out the door. As she walked by him, Kyou was speechless, as he remained the rest of the time. "Nami.." he managed to say.
"It's alright, Kyou. I appreciate it." She gave him a meek smile and made her way down the stairs.
Hatori stood in the living room with his hands in his pockets and an annoyed look on his face as Shigure pranced around him. In spite of her disappointment, Nami couldn't help but giggle at the sight. Kyou followed her into the room, and Hatori seemed surprised to see him there. Nami didn't realize that she would be this glad to see Hatori. She hadn't realized that she missed him, but her reaction to Akito would be quite different.
"Kyou!" Shigure said, wagging his finger at him. "You're supposed to help a lady with her bag!" He took it out of Nami's hands and frolicked to the car.
"Hello, Nami," Hatori said, smiling his best simulated smile. Nami appreciated the effort, for all it was worth. "How was your night?"
"Hello, Sohma-san. It went well," she said and glanced over to see Shigure talking to Akito through the car window. Kyou remained silent, standing behind her.
"Kyou, weren't you supposed to be at the springs along with Yuki?" Hatori turned his attention to him.
"I got sick," he responded, facing an opposite direction. Hatori pulled a small, finger-shaped piece of wood seemly out of nowhere, and crammed it into Kyou's mouth. Kyou mumbled something through the tongue depressor as Hatori maneuvered his chin to accommodate the inspection.
"Why didn't you call me?" He asked, removing the tongue depressor.
"It wasn't that big of a deal. Just a cold," Kyou said angrily. He chewed on his tongue to get the wooden taste out.
"It doesn't matter," Hatori sighed. He had a strange distraught look upon his face. "You should have called."
Nami got the distinct impression that Hatori wasn't only concerned with the well-being of Kyou. He was better already, after all.
"I'm fine!" Kyou said, folding his arms.
"I think we'd better get going," Hatori said, apparently deciding to let Kyou be for the moment. He stood aside for Nami to walk through the door first. She took a few steps forward and decided that it might be a while before she got to do this again. She turned around and ran towards Kyou, wrapping her arms around him.
She carried the cat back towards the car with her. Before she let him down, she nuzzled her nose to his ear and whispered, "Thank you so much for your willingness. I'll repay you some day, but until then I'll just leave you with some advice. You can't undo the past. Be kind to your family. Acceptance among them will make even the Juunishi seem insignificant." She then set him down, smiled another forced smile and winked at him. Kyou watched her leave, wide-eyed and contemplating her words carefully.
Shigure stepped away from the car, and began walking back towards the house. He stopped in front of Nami and Hatori, as his expression altered a bit. "Maa, I got yelled at." He frowned for a whole second, and went back to his cheerful self. "Nami-kun! Thank's for coming, you're welcome any time!" He sang.
"Arigato," she answered, and smiled at him. You can't help but smile at Shigure.
At that point, the driver opened Nami's door, and she stepped in. The door slammed behind her as she pulled on her seatbelt. She sat back, and closed her eyes for a brief moment of peace.
"Hello, Akito-san," she said, turning towards him. "How was.. everything?"
He tilted his head to the side as he raised a hand to gently meet her cheek. Nami thoughtfully turned away from it.
"Productive," he answered with that familiar smirk on his face. "I must say," he added, "I do enjoy your company more when you're not there."
Nami wondered what he had meant by that. Was that his way of telling her that he missed her? She would have agreed, that probably wasn't the best way to put it.
His hand moved to rest on top of Nami's, and he started to gently pull away the bandage Kyou had placed there. "I don't remember that," he remarked.
"It was an accident."
"An accident with small sharp teeth," he countered. Nami decisively pulled her hand away and replaced the bandage.
"I see you've taken a liking to the adorable ball of fur," Akito said with more than enough disgust to make his point. Nami didn't respond. "We'll just have to do something about that, ne?"
Nami didn't even turn to look at him, making what he said seem insignificant. "You can't. You're not allowed," she simply told him. Hatori shut his eyes in the front seat, wishing that this will turn out alright. This is what had worried him; that Akito would be upset that Kyou stayed home with Nami last night.
"So who shall I seek permission from? You?" Akito chuckled lightly.
"He doesn't belong to you. The other members of the Juunishi belong to you as do I, but he's not yours. He's not afraid of you."
Akito just laughed, but Nami stayed motionless. "In that case, I suppose I really don't have the right," he said eerily. "We'll just have to find.. another way." The rest of the drive was silent.
Treading Different Waters
Nami awoke that morning in a very cheerful mood. She was thrilled with the change of scenery, and what's more, she had an exceptional night's sleep. She turned her side and was rather shocked to see an orange cat staring intently at her. She sat up and started intently back at him.
"Good morning," she said with a pleasant smile.
"Yo," said the cat.
"You must be Kyou!" Nami was delighted with her discovery, and she had immediately taken a liking to him. She reached over and scratched his chin, and he angrily bit her hand. She didn't pull back or even flinch. In fact, she contently let him gnaw at her thumb while she scratched his ear with her other hand. He spit out her finger and stared at her in an unsatisfied manner.
"Didn't that hurt?" He demanded.
"I live with Akito-san. I've had worse," she answered him in the most sincere and friendly way. Truthfully, Kyou was a bit taken aback by this and resorted to let her pet him, for the moment at least. He didn't expect her to be so.. open? Not even Yuki would say something like that.
"I heard that you're sick," she said. Kyou growled. Just like Yuki to tell the world of his weaknesses.
"What do you care?" He asked and slumped down on the bed. "I'm better now," he mumbled. Nami smiled at him and realized that he probably didn't want to talk about it.
"Kyou?" She asked sweetly. He looked up at her, annoyed by the fact that he might start purring any moment now. "Just out of curiosity, how did you transform this morning?"
"Let's just say I didn't expect to find a girl sleeping in my bed," he answered and pulled away. He began walking off, but with one swift move Nami swept the ball of orange fur into her arms.
"You'll have to forgive me," she began jokingly. "I thought it was Yuki's room but I really should have guessed when I found a hairball earlier."
Kyou growled. He didn't find it nearly as funny as she did. She giggled and let him go. He decided to leave the room, but that didn't work out quite as he had planned. He transformed back to his human form, and scrambled to wrap a bed sheet around himself.
"What are you staring at?" He demanded, a bit more embarrassed than usual. He sneezed.
"Nothing," Nami shrugged. "I just think you're cuter in cat form." Carelessly, she wrapped her arms around him again, and he turned back into a cat. She picked him up and left the room with him. He hissed at her the whole way, but she didn't particularly mind.
"You're worse than Kagura," he said to her as they descended the stairs.
"You're too cute. I can't see why everyone complains about you so much." She laughed and squeezed him tighter. Kyou growled and hissed and threw a tantrum. Again, she didn't exceptionally mind. His tantrum was much more welcome than any Akito has ever thrown.
"Who complains?" Demanded the cat. "It's the kuso nezumi, isn't it? That arrogant baka.."
Nami pouted. "Ano, Kyou-Neko. Don't be mean. Why do you always pick a fight with Yuki-kun?"
Kyou remained silent.
"Is it because you think that you'll be accepted into the Juunishi if you do?" She asked, flicking his ear back and forth with her finger.
Kyou was surprised by this statement. She knew more than he had expected... and the way she made it sound. It sounded as if by her saying it, it became absurd. He thought about it for a moment, but realized that Nami wasn't expecting an answer anymore.
"Gooood morning, Nami-kun!" Shigure sang from the kitchen.
"Good morning, Gure-san," she said sweetly to him and let Kyou down on the ground. He scurried away, in case he'd change back at any moment.
"I see you met Kyou-kun," Shigure said as he keenly stirred something in a pot. "He's been sulking somewhere for a whole day now; I'm surprised he decided to come back home so soon."
Nami nodded and looked into the pot. She scrunched her nose at Shigure. "Maa, I know," he said and hung his head.
"Gure-san," she said lovingly. "We'll think of something." He looked up at her and his regular optimistic expression reappeared, making it seem like the whole disappointment thing was just a big joke.
"Kyou-Neko!" Nami giggled and called him over. He walked into the kitchen, casually as always. "I hear you can cook," she ran to him, pulled out a spatula from thin air and handed it to him. He sneezed again, hoping to discourage them from making him cook.
"Good luck!" Shigure called as he left the kitchen with Nami.
"I just can't help myself! Kawaii!" Nami ran back to Kyou and hugged him. He transformed immediately and she cradled him in her arms.
"Maa, Nami-kun!" Shigure pouted. "Now we'll never eat!"
"Gomen, Gure-san! But just look how adorable!" Nami pinched Kyou's furry cheeks and he took the opportunity to bite her again. She found that his teeth in her wrist were slightly uncomfortable but that's all. She could deal with slightly uncomfortable. She looked over at Shigure who had an everlasting smile spread from ear to ear, and again at Kyou who was pawing at her chin.
"You know you like it, Kyou!" Shigure's voice seemed strangely distant.
Suddenly, Nami was overwhelmed by a painful feeling growing in the pit of her stomach. The idea that this was all coming to a quick halt produced that feeling. Kyou's teeth were nothing compared to this. She had been splendidly happy from the moment she saw Shigure standing at the door. She absolutely loved Kyou and couldn't get enough of him. If Yuki had been there it would have been all the more wonderful, and she was absolutely sure she'd love Tohru the minute she met her. Her life with Akito seemed so distant to her at that moment. Almost like a bad dream. Her eyes narrowed and her breathing slowed as the feeling got more intense. She was to go back before sunset. Back to Akito's anger, back to Hatori's pain, back to the darkness and the lies.
Nami completely closed her eyes and let Kyou down slowly. He scattered away, and Shigure went to her seeing that something was the matter. He knelt down next to her, but she could barely feel his hand on her shoulder. She knew she was needed at Akito's house. She finally felt that she was getting through to him as he became less and less angry. Her talks with Hatori were wonderful but so depressing. She knew that all her pain tripled couldn't match what either of them had gone through. Still, she wished briefly that she could just stay in this world. The world of her old friends, of the ever smiling Shigure and the adorable Kyou-Neko.
"Nami-kun.."
Nami finally heard the faint voice and felt Shigure's hand on her cheek. She opened her eyes and saw a blurry vision of him kneeling in front of her.
"'Gure..." Nami couldn't explain it but it seemed like he shouldn't be there. Maybe it was that she shouldn't be there. She didn't know, but something was off to her.
"What were you thinking about?" He asked, curious.
"Just how much I enjoyed spending the night here," Nami answered pleasantly, shaking off the feeling, and stood up with him.
"I was worried there for a moment. Come sit down with me," he said somewhat seriously, and led her to the living room. They sat down on the couch and Kyou reappeared in another set of clothing. He did not sit down.
"It's ok, Kyou-kun. I promise I won't hug you again." She looked up at him with friendly eyes and bade he sit down.
After careful consideration, he decided that he might sit. At that point, he noticed her hand which bled from the teeth that pierced through it. His first instinct as a cat was to lick it but he decisively stopped himself. What are you thinking, Kyou? A sudden feeling of guilt started up inside him and he tried to squash it. He kicked himself for being so stubborn.
"Are you sure you're alright?" Shigure seemed genuinely concerned with her well being. She nodded reassuringly.
"Kyou-Neko! What ever happened to that breakfast?" Nami said, trying to mask her feelings as well as she could. She didn't want to taint this happy house with the thoughts she was having. Besides, she was knew that it would only last so long and she should make the best of it.
Kyou stood up and made his way to the kitchen, a bit uncertain of exactly how he should act. He knew there was something the matter with her but he hadn't the slightest idea of what to do about it. Several minutes later, he came back with a box in his hands.
"Maa, Kyou has a surprise!" Shigure sang.
"Shut up," Kyou barked back and sat down next to Nami again. He opened the box and pulled out a small, adhesive bandage. He took her hand and placed it over the spot where he bit her.
Pleasantly surprised by this kindness, Nami almost squeaked. "Kyou- kun! How nice!"
"Kyou, the gentleman?" Shigure snickered.
They had breakfast, which Shigure insisted they'll make for Nami. Fortunately for Kyou, she was not a big leek fan herself. It was a pleasant meal, filled with laughter and conversation. Much unlike the ones she usually has, alone. Shigure enchanted them with a story of how Kyou and Yuki bathed together when they were young.
"... it was the cutest thing in the world!" He managed to say in between laughing. Nami was toppled over on the floor, overcome with hilarity. Kyou, on the other hand, hissed, growled and threw another tantrum.
"Kyou-kun, don't be so cross! It was adorable, especially the part with the dish towel and the rubber ducky.." Nami couldn't even finish her sentence as she and Shigure started into a whole new set of laughter. Kyou would never admit it but he was fighting back as smirk as well.
When they calmed down, Nami announced that she would go pack her things, just in case they came early. It would only take her a few minutes. She ran upstairs, dragging Kyou behind her.
"Definitely Kagura-like behavior," he mumbled to himself.
As they entered Kyou's room, Nami swung around to face him and suddenly became very serious. This left him to wonder what had abruptly changed so much. She closed the door and spoke to him in the most solemn manner he had heard from her yet.
"You know, I trust Shigure with my life but this is a little different. He's close to Akito and even closer to Hatori. I don't know how to explain it but I need your help." She took his hands and lowered her voice to a mere whisper.
Kyou's jaw dropped. This was definitely unexpected. "What the hell are you talking about?" He asked, very confused.
"I need you to help me run away. As far away as possible from this family, no offence."
"You're crazy," Kyou commented and turned to leave.
"Come with me," she pleaded. "Help me get away from this. I can't do it alone."
"That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."
"Kyou-san, onegai!" She begged him almost to the point of tears.
She's desperate, Kyou thought. Could it really be this awful? He saw the misery in her eyes and knew he couldn't let her go back there. He understood.
"I'll take Shigure to the front of the house. Go to the garden and bring your things. I'll meet you there," he said.
An incredible smile appeared on her face and she had to restrain herself from jumping on him.
"Naaaaami-kuuuuun!" Shigure sang from downstairs.
"Arigato, Kyou-kun," she said as Kyou turned to leave the room. He opened the door and stepped out a bit before Shigure made the next announcement.
"Ha-san is here for yoooouu!!"
Kyou and Nami froze. Her grateful smile faded immediately and he could see the misery return to her eyes.
She picked up her bag and made her way out the door. As she walked by him, Kyou was speechless, as he remained the rest of the time. "Nami.." he managed to say.
"It's alright, Kyou. I appreciate it." She gave him a meek smile and made her way down the stairs.
Hatori stood in the living room with his hands in his pockets and an annoyed look on his face as Shigure pranced around him. In spite of her disappointment, Nami couldn't help but giggle at the sight. Kyou followed her into the room, and Hatori seemed surprised to see him there. Nami didn't realize that she would be this glad to see Hatori. She hadn't realized that she missed him, but her reaction to Akito would be quite different.
"Kyou!" Shigure said, wagging his finger at him. "You're supposed to help a lady with her bag!" He took it out of Nami's hands and frolicked to the car.
"Hello, Nami," Hatori said, smiling his best simulated smile. Nami appreciated the effort, for all it was worth. "How was your night?"
"Hello, Sohma-san. It went well," she said and glanced over to see Shigure talking to Akito through the car window. Kyou remained silent, standing behind her.
"Kyou, weren't you supposed to be at the springs along with Yuki?" Hatori turned his attention to him.
"I got sick," he responded, facing an opposite direction. Hatori pulled a small, finger-shaped piece of wood seemly out of nowhere, and crammed it into Kyou's mouth. Kyou mumbled something through the tongue depressor as Hatori maneuvered his chin to accommodate the inspection.
"Why didn't you call me?" He asked, removing the tongue depressor.
"It wasn't that big of a deal. Just a cold," Kyou said angrily. He chewed on his tongue to get the wooden taste out.
"It doesn't matter," Hatori sighed. He had a strange distraught look upon his face. "You should have called."
Nami got the distinct impression that Hatori wasn't only concerned with the well-being of Kyou. He was better already, after all.
"I'm fine!" Kyou said, folding his arms.
"I think we'd better get going," Hatori said, apparently deciding to let Kyou be for the moment. He stood aside for Nami to walk through the door first. She took a few steps forward and decided that it might be a while before she got to do this again. She turned around and ran towards Kyou, wrapping her arms around him.
She carried the cat back towards the car with her. Before she let him down, she nuzzled her nose to his ear and whispered, "Thank you so much for your willingness. I'll repay you some day, but until then I'll just leave you with some advice. You can't undo the past. Be kind to your family. Acceptance among them will make even the Juunishi seem insignificant." She then set him down, smiled another forced smile and winked at him. Kyou watched her leave, wide-eyed and contemplating her words carefully.
Shigure stepped away from the car, and began walking back towards the house. He stopped in front of Nami and Hatori, as his expression altered a bit. "Maa, I got yelled at." He frowned for a whole second, and went back to his cheerful self. "Nami-kun! Thank's for coming, you're welcome any time!" He sang.
"Arigato," she answered, and smiled at him. You can't help but smile at Shigure.
At that point, the driver opened Nami's door, and she stepped in. The door slammed behind her as she pulled on her seatbelt. She sat back, and closed her eyes for a brief moment of peace.
"Hello, Akito-san," she said, turning towards him. "How was.. everything?"
He tilted his head to the side as he raised a hand to gently meet her cheek. Nami thoughtfully turned away from it.
"Productive," he answered with that familiar smirk on his face. "I must say," he added, "I do enjoy your company more when you're not there."
Nami wondered what he had meant by that. Was that his way of telling her that he missed her? She would have agreed, that probably wasn't the best way to put it.
His hand moved to rest on top of Nami's, and he started to gently pull away the bandage Kyou had placed there. "I don't remember that," he remarked.
"It was an accident."
"An accident with small sharp teeth," he countered. Nami decisively pulled her hand away and replaced the bandage.
"I see you've taken a liking to the adorable ball of fur," Akito said with more than enough disgust to make his point. Nami didn't respond. "We'll just have to do something about that, ne?"
Nami didn't even turn to look at him, making what he said seem insignificant. "You can't. You're not allowed," she simply told him. Hatori shut his eyes in the front seat, wishing that this will turn out alright. This is what had worried him; that Akito would be upset that Kyou stayed home with Nami last night.
"So who shall I seek permission from? You?" Akito chuckled lightly.
"He doesn't belong to you. The other members of the Juunishi belong to you as do I, but he's not yours. He's not afraid of you."
Akito just laughed, but Nami stayed motionless. "In that case, I suppose I really don't have the right," he said eerily. "We'll just have to find.. another way." The rest of the drive was silent.