Black
Chapter 4
The Stirring of Trouble
Grease covered Haru from head to toe, smugging his face and bare arms; blotting his once
white jumpsuit in large spots; dyingh is hair a horrible grey color instead of the normal
white it had once been and even getting under his finger nails. He though to himself, who
needs nailpolish when you have grease.' He sat beside a half-way built dirt bike, screwing in
a bolt. He loved this job, it was dirty and grimy and made him smell forever like oil, gasoline
and metal, but he loved it as much as he loved music. The grease hid his shame under a black
mask and he could forget everything horrible thing about his life when he worked on bikes; taking
them apart and then rebuilding them newer and better then before. He got a satisfied feeling
when he looked at his completed works, and he felt a sense of pride. This was something he had
for him and him only along with his guitar. The two out of three things he cherised most; the
two out of three things he would do anything to keep away from his family.
"Haru," Takumi said walking into the garage, his usual cigarette in his mouth. "There's a guy
up front lookin' for ya'."
Haru gave him a questioning look and then decided it wasn't worth getting worked up over. He
shrugged and stood, whipping his rear but to no avail since it was already dark grey with a
big black spot his right butt cheek. Aww . . . the life of a mechanic. He entered the shop
and looked up to see Taki casually walking around the bike displays, his eyes looked hungry.
"Hey," Haru said clearing his throat and wipping his hands off on a rag he'd pulled from
his pocket. It too was covered in grease.
"Yo," Taki smirked, running his hands over a 1987 Suzuki model. It was painted red and
a dark coal black with a tinted window front and the words 'Suzuki' written on the front
sides and written on the back in white was 'GSX R 1100.' "I like this, how much is it?"
"Not sure," Haru said. "I don't keep up with the prices. I'm just a mechanic."
"I see," Taki said, "How much would you estimate then, biker boy?"
"Around 1800$ in american money." He said.
"Good damn," Taki said taking his fingers off and looking at Haru finally. "Well, I just stopped
by to see if you were cool with tomorrow."
"Yeah, nothings changed." Haru said.
"When do you get off?" Taki asked.
"Why?"
"I'm meeting Azu up here, she's bringing a friend with her." Taki smirked. "Though you might
like to meet her. She can be pretty cold most of the time, but she's hot and according to
the valuable info from Azu, she's really sweet once you get to know her."
"Not interested," Haru said.
"I see," Taki said leaning agianst the cashier counter, "Already got a girl uh? Well, this wasn't
my idea."
"I'm guessing Azusa came up with the strange idea of setting me up then," Haru quirked an
eyebrow at the older boy. "And just so you know, my 'girl' left me a long time ago."
"I see," Taki repeated, "One of those kind of situations. Sorry to have brought it up then."
"Don't concern yourself," Haru said waving his hand in dismissal. "I'll get over it." Yeah . . .
in hell.
"What was she like?"
"Why?"
"Just curious." Taki chuckled. "Don't get so defensive."
"She was perfect," Haru said. "She inspired me to write and create music, she was my greek
muse; my partner and friend. I'd even go as far as to say I loved her and I'm still in love
with her."
Taki's eyes were wide with surprise. Truthfully put, he'd was only being facitious with the
kid, he hadn't actually expected such a heartfelt answer. Haru's voice was filled with raw,
undeniable pain and longing. "Hey man, I didn't mean to make you sad."
"I'm over being sad," Haru closed his eyes, "It just resurfaces every now and then."
"Sorry."
"Don't be." Haru gave him a small smile.
"Dude," Taki said seriously.
"What?"
"You have grease all over your face."
* * * *
Kagura looked at the pile of oranges in front of her. A small shopping basket hung on her arm
and she was dressed in a cute, light purple sun dress with spagetti straps and a pair of platform
sandals that simply slipped on. She quickly picked out the best looking fruits and placed them
into a small plastic sack, then weighed them on the scale and finally placing them neatly
into her basket. She sighed and continued down the rows of fruits and vegetables. Finding nothing
that would interest her other than the oranges, she made her way to the seafood section. The
man over the counter gave her half a pound of fish and a pound of shrimp, she placed these
also within her basket.
Her mother, who ususally did the shopping, was away on a business trip to England. So Kagura
and Rin were left to fend for themselves at home. Kagura, being the oldest and having only
eight classes a week, instead of full time school like Rin, offered to do the shopping and
cleaning. Rin would do the cooking (which she had stubbornly refused to let Kagura do) and the
laundry. Kagura walked down the bottled liquids section and picked out grape soda, Rin's
favorite and then she picked out her own, Orange Slice. Her basket was getting fuller and
heavier by the minute; she was debating whether or not to get a push basket instead of a
carrier.
Suddenly, she heard familiar voices. With trepidation she peeked around the corner to find
Kyo pointing an accusing finger at Yuki. Yuki stood there with a placid face and his arms
crossed, he must have pulled another one of his sarcastic, dead on target comments about Kyo
again.Tohru-kun was just standing there was a smile on her face and sweat gatherng on her forehead.
Kagura longed to go over there and converse with her family, if she could actually call them
that. She envied Tohru-kun, living with Yuki, Kyo and Shigure, her house was hardly ever
empty; much the opposite of Kaguras'. Her mother seemed to always be away now and Rin was
becoming more anti-social and leaving at all hours of the night and not coming back till
morning. Kagura was more lonely then she had ever been before, especially since Kyo told her
the truth about his feelings . . .
She felt tears coming to the corners of her eyes and quickly brushed them away, not wanting
to cry in the middle of the supermarket. Her voice caught in her throat and she turned away,
suddenly feeling self-concious about going over to the happy threesome. But, apparently,
fate was laughing at her predicaemnt for at that very moment, Tohru-kun called out her
name. More tears had gathered and now brimmed over her eyelids, feeling a loss of self
control she briskly walked away without breaking out into a run. She had to get away, she just
couldn't let him see her cry again. She'd promised herself that Kyo-kun would never ever
see her cry. She would be happy, because Kyo-kun was happy.
"Kagura-san!" Tohru's hand had caught her arm gently, but Kagura refused to turn around and
show her now swollen, red face to her friends. "Why didn't you answer? Did you not hear me
calling your name?" TOhru's voice was sweet and sincere.
"Sorry," She muttered quietly. "I didn't, I'm sorry."
'Liar', her mind screamed at her.
"It's alright." Tohru said, releasing Kagura, yet the girl still did not turn around to face
her. "How are you?"
Something clicked in her throat and she wanted to yell out, 'I'M LONELY AND HURT! I CAN'T SLEEP
OR EAT, ALL I CAN DO IS CRY! I CAN'T SEEM TO STOP! But instead she said, "I"m fine. How are
you, Tohru-kun?" Words ran through her mind . . . bringing her down even farther
'You're so selfish'
"Are you sure?" Tohru's voice was filled with concern now, "You sound stuffy! Are you sick?"
'What a child. First you use Kyo, then claim you LOVE him and now you can hardly look him in
the face!'
"No, don't worry." Kagura said quietly. She tensed up immediatly when the sounds of a pair of
boots and a pair of sneakers came upon them. She knew it to be Yun-chan and Kyo-kun, she bit
her lip and tried to think of an excuse to get away. She wipped her eyes and looked at Tohru
and gave her a quivering smile. "I have to go! Later!"
'Liar! Slut! You must be the worst person in the entire world . . . '
With that she ran off, unable to look back, full of shame.
Tohru reached up and felt a small wet drop on her cheek. It had splashed from kagura's eyes
as she had ran off, Kagura had been crying! Tohru looked at her sullenly, "Poor Kagura, she
seemed to be very sad. I wonder why."
Kyo stared in the directin of Kagura, knowing that this was something she would have to work out
for herself. He'd only cause her more pain then he had, so he chose to stay out of it. Feeling
the hot stare of someone he glanced at Yuki. Did he know?
"Hold this for me Yuki-kun," Tohru said, handing him their basket. "I'll be right back!"
"Honda-san?" He called out, a bit confused.
* * * *
Rin suddeny heard the ring of her cellphone. She quickly dug through her bag, checking the caller
id, it read 'unknown'. With a sigh she answered it and Tohru's voice came over the other end
of the line. Something very unexpected to the Horse of Jyuunishi.
"Rin-san," Tohru said. "I'm sorry to call you, but I think something's wrong with Kagura. I saw
her at the supermarket and she ran out of here crying! I think you should be the one to talk to
her, you two are pretty close. Please, could you help her."
Rin's heart leaped in her throat and her stomach churned and twisted disgustingly. "I'm on my
way home now."
"Thank you so very much, Rin-san!" Tohru said frantically, worry evident in her voice.
"No," Rin said her voice quiet and forced, "Thank you." Without a good bye or other such polite
trivilties she hung up her cell and looked at Azusa.
"What's up?" The girl asked.
"I'm sorry," Rin said. "I have a family emergancy, I have to get home."
Azusa nodded, not at all offended. "Is it Kagura-san?"
"Yeah." Rin cursed. "I'm sorry again."
"No!" Azu said gripping Rin's shoulders, "I want you to go! If it's Kagura-san, then please
go! We can always reschedule and have ice-cream later. Besides, if I ever called needing you,
I'd want you to come right away as well."
Rin smiled, "Thanks, bye!"
Azusa watched her run away as fast as the girl's legs could carry her. She silently thought to
herself that Rin had a very kind heart and cared deeply about the one's she was close to. So
much so, that she would sacrifice her own happiness to protect them. Azusa continued walk
towards the shop were Haru worked, all the while thinking and dwelling on Rin. She admired the
girl, her strength was absolutly amazing and Azusa was jealous. She knew that she could never be
as strong as Rin. Rin hid her kindness beneath a cold, thick wall of ice, barring no weakness
to the outside world. Azusa on the other hand, was an open book for people to read and couldn't
stand confrontation when it was an assult directed at her. Rin could protect herself and her
loved ones . . .
Azusa shook her head sadly with a smile of admiration, "I'm a coward compared to Rin-chan and
a weakling."
She was in front of the shop, 'Stider' before she could blink another eyelid. Sighing, she could
already see Taki and a dirty, grease covered Haru chatting it up inside. Probably talking about
bikes and comparing testosterone levels. A man's vehical was an extentino of his penis - or
so her older sister had once said and Azusa was inclined to believe those wise words.
She stepped inside with a big smile and ran towards Taki, "TAKI-KUN!!!"
He hardly had time to turn around before she embraced him in a giant hug, rubbing her face
in his chest and inhaling the scent of coffee and cologne. Somehow, someway, Taki never ever
smelled like cigarettes, perhaps it was because he was total clean freak though you could
never tell.
"Hey Azu," He greeted warmly, eyes softening behind his sunglasses.
* * * *
Rin had taken the bus home, it was faster than the subway. Quickly running inside she slipped
off her shoes beside the only other pair in the doorway. She dropped her bag and ran up stairs
looking around for Kagura. Her older cousin wasn't difficult to find, her crying could be heard
the instant she'd reached the second floor. She flung open Kagura's door and found her curled up
in a corner, sobbing uncontrollably. Kagura's head snapped up as her door frame was cracked by
Rin's abrupt entrance.
"Kagura!"
"Isuzu . . .?" She looked at her cousin with surprise and then jumped to her feet and ran
towards her. Rin was quick to wrap her arms around Kagura and let the girl cry on her
shoulder. The two slumped to the floor; Rin felt Kagura shudder and shake with every breath
she inhaled, her hands gripping onto Rin's school uniform. Rin shushed her with calming words
and stroked her hair, occasionally kissing her forehead.
'Damn you,' Rin thought, her mind focusing on one person only. 'May you burn in hell, Sohma
Kyo.'
* * * *
"What's up?" Haru asked Azusa as she finally noticed him.
"Not much," Was her reply.
"Where's your friend," Taki asked.
"Oh! She had a family emergancy and had to run off!" Azusa said just a little too happily. "Don't
worry, she said she'll come with us another time."
Haru almost sighed in relief, thankful that he didn't have to go through the complications of
meeting a new girl and then the ever poking fear of transforming in front of them. "Well, then
I should get back to work."
"Aww!" Azusa pouted, "You don't want to come with us to get something to eat! There's an ice
cream vendor just down the street! Can't you take just a small break?"
"I don't want to be a third wheel and drag down your fun," Haru said calmly leaning against the
counter.
The two looked at him for a moment and then he noticed that both of their cheeks turned an
interesting color of red and Taki cleared his throat while Azusa scuffled her shoe along with
tile floors.
"YOu wouldn't be," She said quickly.
"There weren't two wheels to begin with," taki said looking away from Azusa quickly and pulled
out another cigarrette then peered over at the sign on wall, "Well I'll be damned - a no
smoking sign. Be right back!" The guy was outside leaning agianst the painted glass and surrounded
by a nice cloud of smoke.
Azusa's shoulders dropped, yet her face contradicted her body language with a smile. "He's so
clueless sometimes!" She giggled.
"I'm sorry," haru said quietly. "I thought you two were . . . you know."
"A couple?" She filled in the blank, a know-it-all finger pointed to the sky.
"Yeah." He apologized again feeling like a total moron, "Sorry."
"No," She said. "Taki thinks he's too old for me, though I would disagree."
"How old is he? Nineteen?"
"Twenty-two next month!" She chuckled at Haru's semi-wide eyes and upturned eyebrows. He looked
like a cow that had just felt human hands on it's utter. "Surprisng isn't it? He looks much
younger than he is."
"I'll say so," Haru said. "So you do like him then?"
"Yes," She answered truthfully, "I love him more than anyone, though I've only told him I like
him. You see, Taki-kun and I have known one another since I was born! I used to chase after him
all the time and hug onto his legs when I was really little. As we grew older though, it went
from his legs to his arms to him in general. I'm surprised he's never found it annoying. I think
he thinks of me as a younger sister; Taki-kun's never had siblings before. He lives with his
mom and she's always working, struggling to pay for his college."
"He's in college?" Haru asked.
"Yeah, surprised again?" She laughed.
"You could say that," Haru said.
* * * *
Rin covered Kagura's sleeping form and left her room, shutting the shoji quietly. Angrily she
walked into her room and changed from her tear soaked uniform to what she called her 'Bitch
outfit'; a short black shirt with a chain-link belt that went around from her up right hip
to her lower right thigh in a diagnal manner, a tight black tank-top with the words 'Disturbed'
written in jagged letters, a pair of thick heeled, knee high whore boots with laces that strung
all the way up, a pair of biker gloves on her hands that matched her black nails, and finally
she placed a ring of silver, small skulls around her neck and a star studded collar on her
throat. She painted her lips with clear gloss and placed eyeliner upon the bottoms and tops of
her eyes, the smugged grey eyeshadow on her eyelid.
She didnt smile into the mirror, but her eyes glistened with the intense want for revenge. She
would make that stupid cat pay for what he was doing to her sweet Kagura. That bastard didn't
have to shoot down all hopes for the girl, he couldn't predict the future and he could never
find a woman who loved him as much as Kagura did. Kagura accepted him long before anyone, family
or not, had. And what did that asshole do? He broke her heart time and time again. Rin had at
one point blamed that girl Tohru, but after meeting her and seeing just how cluelessly
innocent she was, it just wasn't possible that it was Tohru's fault. No, it was Kyo's for
misinterpreting kindness and platonic friendship and acceptance for a possiblity for
romance. What an idiot, she cursed him.
She stalked downstairs and pulled out her long, black trench coat that splitted in the
back and hung to her shins. She left through the front door, making sure to take the spare
keys with her and lock the door. She walked intot he darkened evening, her hands gripping onto
the keys so tightly, that she cut through her glove and hit skin.
* * * *
"Mmm!" Azusa cried happily. "This is really really good! Who knew they would actually have
blueberry ice-cream!"
Haru chuckled a bit, though very quietly, "I didn't know there was a blueberry flavor."
"So," Taki said, being his usual serious, work-aholic self, "You're still coming tomorrow for
your audition?"
"Yes," Haru said, licking his own chocolate/vanilla swirl. "I thought I said that already." He
mumbled, getting a grunted response from Taki.
They sat outside around a small circled table covered by a pink and white stripped umbrella. They
had recieved very odd looks when they had arrived at the ice-cream parlor. It wasn't every
day that the patrons of Shakey's ice-cream saw a dirty mechanic(though he had tried to clean
himself up a bit), a punk of sorts with heavy, silver necklaces, holey, baggy jeans and dirty
converses and blue tipped hair and a hyper-active school girl in one group. Of course, they
didn't know that Azusa was actually a Yankee, Taki was a college student and Haru was a boy
who turned into a cow when hugged by the opposite sex; still, the grouping was weird.
"I want to find someone who can play the piano!" Azusa said suddenly.
"Why?" Taki asked, giving her a skeptical look.
"Because," She pouted. "I've been working on this totally awesome piano piece for a while
now and I want someone besides myself to play it!"
"Are you planning to sing," Taki raised an eyebrow.
"Well," She blushed, "I thought I might give it a try . . . do you think it's a bad idea?"
"No," Taki amended quickly, looking at Haru for support.
"I think it's a wonderful idea," Haru agreed nodding his head. "And my cousin plays the piano,
perhaps I could ask him if he would try the piece."
"Is your family just gifted or what!?" Azusa laughed, "My sister is a boring editor who does
nothing but freak out over this one author dude who plays jokes on her! YOu'd think she'd
take a stress pill or something!"
"Do yo have cousins?" Haru questioned, thinking of his own.
"Yeah," Azusa rested her chin in her hand,"But I don'tk now any of them though. After I
joined the gang, my family (except my sister) disowned me. But I'm not in action
anymore, I quit it around three or fours years ago." Her shadowed eyes betrayed her happy
portrayal of a normal girl, proving that perhaps there was more to Azusa than just a hyper-active
personality and a taste for music.
"Thank God," Taki looked towards heaven gratefully. "Those chicks were scary; I'm glad you
got away from such bad influences."
She scowled. "I'm not a kid, Taki-kun."
"I never said you were."
"You were implying it!"
Haru chuckled, feeling a sense of contentment around these two. Neither knew of the curse and
so, treated him normally. They didn't go to his school, so they didn't know any of his
family. They were completely seperate from the life he'd known for so long. When he'd be isolated
only to his family, but now, he had friends of his own. People he could laugh with carelessly,
but something nagged at the back of his mind; just how long would it last?
* * * *
She stood in front of Shigure's home, glaring up at it's windows and it's perfect walls. The
beautiful lawn with it's garden and the shingles on the roof that burned red in the sunset.
She had a distinct hate for it all right then. She walked up to the door and rang the
bell. Shigure answered, a smirk gracing his charasmatic face.
"Hello, Rin." He said, his body tensing uncomfortably. "Can I help you with something?"
"Where's Kyo?" She asked, keeping her voice icy.
"Shopping with Tohru-kun and Yuki," He answered. "What do you need with him? Does this have
something to do with Kagura-chan?"
"That's none of your business." She looked off to the side, avoiding his inquisitive gaze.
"Kyo has been punished enough," Shigure gave her a dark look. "And has a punishment still
coming to him. You know his fate as well as I; let him live happily until then. Or would
you still like to wait?"
"I don't know," She said, her voice forced.
"Let me ask you this," Shigure said. "Would Kagura want you to do anything to Kyo? If I know
her as well I as she let's me think I do, then no, she wouldn't. She'd want you to leave Kyo
alone. All you should be concerned about, is supporting Kagura. She needs you right now, so
stop being childish and go home." He chuckled a bit. "But this is merely my little opinion."
"Whatever," She turned away from him. "But tell Kyo this for me," She looked over her shoulder,
the red sunset gleaming in her dark eyes. "Tell him to stay away from Kagura, he's hurt her
enough. He can stay with his little Tohru."
Shigure shrugged, "Tell him yourself! Are you hungry? Tohru-kun made some wonderful onigiri
from this mornings breakfast!"
"No thanks."
He stepped from the house and placed a hand on her shoulder, his lips close to her ear, "I'm
afraid I had to tell Akito of your little incident with Haru. He was not pleased to hear
the news, Rin-chan."
She tensed and pushed away from him, "Do what you like. There is NOTHING between myself and
Haru and there never will be. You can tell your master that, dog."
He stood straight and let a small laugh escape his lips, rising his hand to meet it, "I am not
your messenger. As I already said; tell him yourself."
* * * *
Author's note:
GOSH! It's been FOREVER! Anywayz . . . that last part leaves you with the thought, "bastard
Shigure"! I aboslutely LOVE him when he's being a conniving bastard! Makes him so lovable and
fluffy! Mwhaha. Keep checking back, next chapter Haru trys out for the band of his dreams
and sooo much more! (Sounds like a cheesy DragonBall Z Preview. No offense to those who like
DBZ, I do too . . . I just like makeing fun of it for some odd reason)
Bya Bya
Chaos
Chapter 4
The Stirring of Trouble
Grease covered Haru from head to toe, smugging his face and bare arms; blotting his once
white jumpsuit in large spots; dyingh is hair a horrible grey color instead of the normal
white it had once been and even getting under his finger nails. He though to himself, who
needs nailpolish when you have grease.' He sat beside a half-way built dirt bike, screwing in
a bolt. He loved this job, it was dirty and grimy and made him smell forever like oil, gasoline
and metal, but he loved it as much as he loved music. The grease hid his shame under a black
mask and he could forget everything horrible thing about his life when he worked on bikes; taking
them apart and then rebuilding them newer and better then before. He got a satisfied feeling
when he looked at his completed works, and he felt a sense of pride. This was something he had
for him and him only along with his guitar. The two out of three things he cherised most; the
two out of three things he would do anything to keep away from his family.
"Haru," Takumi said walking into the garage, his usual cigarette in his mouth. "There's a guy
up front lookin' for ya'."
Haru gave him a questioning look and then decided it wasn't worth getting worked up over. He
shrugged and stood, whipping his rear but to no avail since it was already dark grey with a
big black spot his right butt cheek. Aww . . . the life of a mechanic. He entered the shop
and looked up to see Taki casually walking around the bike displays, his eyes looked hungry.
"Hey," Haru said clearing his throat and wipping his hands off on a rag he'd pulled from
his pocket. It too was covered in grease.
"Yo," Taki smirked, running his hands over a 1987 Suzuki model. It was painted red and
a dark coal black with a tinted window front and the words 'Suzuki' written on the front
sides and written on the back in white was 'GSX R 1100.' "I like this, how much is it?"
"Not sure," Haru said. "I don't keep up with the prices. I'm just a mechanic."
"I see," Taki said, "How much would you estimate then, biker boy?"
"Around 1800$ in american money." He said.
"Good damn," Taki said taking his fingers off and looking at Haru finally. "Well, I just stopped
by to see if you were cool with tomorrow."
"Yeah, nothings changed." Haru said.
"When do you get off?" Taki asked.
"Why?"
"I'm meeting Azu up here, she's bringing a friend with her." Taki smirked. "Though you might
like to meet her. She can be pretty cold most of the time, but she's hot and according to
the valuable info from Azu, she's really sweet once you get to know her."
"Not interested," Haru said.
"I see," Taki said leaning agianst the cashier counter, "Already got a girl uh? Well, this wasn't
my idea."
"I'm guessing Azusa came up with the strange idea of setting me up then," Haru quirked an
eyebrow at the older boy. "And just so you know, my 'girl' left me a long time ago."
"I see," Taki repeated, "One of those kind of situations. Sorry to have brought it up then."
"Don't concern yourself," Haru said waving his hand in dismissal. "I'll get over it." Yeah . . .
in hell.
"What was she like?"
"Why?"
"Just curious." Taki chuckled. "Don't get so defensive."
"She was perfect," Haru said. "She inspired me to write and create music, she was my greek
muse; my partner and friend. I'd even go as far as to say I loved her and I'm still in love
with her."
Taki's eyes were wide with surprise. Truthfully put, he'd was only being facitious with the
kid, he hadn't actually expected such a heartfelt answer. Haru's voice was filled with raw,
undeniable pain and longing. "Hey man, I didn't mean to make you sad."
"I'm over being sad," Haru closed his eyes, "It just resurfaces every now and then."
"Sorry."
"Don't be." Haru gave him a small smile.
"Dude," Taki said seriously.
"What?"
"You have grease all over your face."
* * * *
Kagura looked at the pile of oranges in front of her. A small shopping basket hung on her arm
and she was dressed in a cute, light purple sun dress with spagetti straps and a pair of platform
sandals that simply slipped on. She quickly picked out the best looking fruits and placed them
into a small plastic sack, then weighed them on the scale and finally placing them neatly
into her basket. She sighed and continued down the rows of fruits and vegetables. Finding nothing
that would interest her other than the oranges, she made her way to the seafood section. The
man over the counter gave her half a pound of fish and a pound of shrimp, she placed these
also within her basket.
Her mother, who ususally did the shopping, was away on a business trip to England. So Kagura
and Rin were left to fend for themselves at home. Kagura, being the oldest and having only
eight classes a week, instead of full time school like Rin, offered to do the shopping and
cleaning. Rin would do the cooking (which she had stubbornly refused to let Kagura do) and the
laundry. Kagura walked down the bottled liquids section and picked out grape soda, Rin's
favorite and then she picked out her own, Orange Slice. Her basket was getting fuller and
heavier by the minute; she was debating whether or not to get a push basket instead of a
carrier.
Suddenly, she heard familiar voices. With trepidation she peeked around the corner to find
Kyo pointing an accusing finger at Yuki. Yuki stood there with a placid face and his arms
crossed, he must have pulled another one of his sarcastic, dead on target comments about Kyo
again.Tohru-kun was just standing there was a smile on her face and sweat gatherng on her forehead.
Kagura longed to go over there and converse with her family, if she could actually call them
that. She envied Tohru-kun, living with Yuki, Kyo and Shigure, her house was hardly ever
empty; much the opposite of Kaguras'. Her mother seemed to always be away now and Rin was
becoming more anti-social and leaving at all hours of the night and not coming back till
morning. Kagura was more lonely then she had ever been before, especially since Kyo told her
the truth about his feelings . . .
She felt tears coming to the corners of her eyes and quickly brushed them away, not wanting
to cry in the middle of the supermarket. Her voice caught in her throat and she turned away,
suddenly feeling self-concious about going over to the happy threesome. But, apparently,
fate was laughing at her predicaemnt for at that very moment, Tohru-kun called out her
name. More tears had gathered and now brimmed over her eyelids, feeling a loss of self
control she briskly walked away without breaking out into a run. She had to get away, she just
couldn't let him see her cry again. She'd promised herself that Kyo-kun would never ever
see her cry. She would be happy, because Kyo-kun was happy.
"Kagura-san!" Tohru's hand had caught her arm gently, but Kagura refused to turn around and
show her now swollen, red face to her friends. "Why didn't you answer? Did you not hear me
calling your name?" TOhru's voice was sweet and sincere.
"Sorry," She muttered quietly. "I didn't, I'm sorry."
'Liar', her mind screamed at her.
"It's alright." Tohru said, releasing Kagura, yet the girl still did not turn around to face
her. "How are you?"
Something clicked in her throat and she wanted to yell out, 'I'M LONELY AND HURT! I CAN'T SLEEP
OR EAT, ALL I CAN DO IS CRY! I CAN'T SEEM TO STOP! But instead she said, "I"m fine. How are
you, Tohru-kun?" Words ran through her mind . . . bringing her down even farther
'You're so selfish'
"Are you sure?" Tohru's voice was filled with concern now, "You sound stuffy! Are you sick?"
'What a child. First you use Kyo, then claim you LOVE him and now you can hardly look him in
the face!'
"No, don't worry." Kagura said quietly. She tensed up immediatly when the sounds of a pair of
boots and a pair of sneakers came upon them. She knew it to be Yun-chan and Kyo-kun, she bit
her lip and tried to think of an excuse to get away. She wipped her eyes and looked at Tohru
and gave her a quivering smile. "I have to go! Later!"
'Liar! Slut! You must be the worst person in the entire world . . . '
With that she ran off, unable to look back, full of shame.
Tohru reached up and felt a small wet drop on her cheek. It had splashed from kagura's eyes
as she had ran off, Kagura had been crying! Tohru looked at her sullenly, "Poor Kagura, she
seemed to be very sad. I wonder why."
Kyo stared in the directin of Kagura, knowing that this was something she would have to work out
for herself. He'd only cause her more pain then he had, so he chose to stay out of it. Feeling
the hot stare of someone he glanced at Yuki. Did he know?
"Hold this for me Yuki-kun," Tohru said, handing him their basket. "I'll be right back!"
"Honda-san?" He called out, a bit confused.
* * * *
Rin suddeny heard the ring of her cellphone. She quickly dug through her bag, checking the caller
id, it read 'unknown'. With a sigh she answered it and Tohru's voice came over the other end
of the line. Something very unexpected to the Horse of Jyuunishi.
"Rin-san," Tohru said. "I'm sorry to call you, but I think something's wrong with Kagura. I saw
her at the supermarket and she ran out of here crying! I think you should be the one to talk to
her, you two are pretty close. Please, could you help her."
Rin's heart leaped in her throat and her stomach churned and twisted disgustingly. "I'm on my
way home now."
"Thank you so very much, Rin-san!" Tohru said frantically, worry evident in her voice.
"No," Rin said her voice quiet and forced, "Thank you." Without a good bye or other such polite
trivilties she hung up her cell and looked at Azusa.
"What's up?" The girl asked.
"I'm sorry," Rin said. "I have a family emergancy, I have to get home."
Azusa nodded, not at all offended. "Is it Kagura-san?"
"Yeah." Rin cursed. "I'm sorry again."
"No!" Azu said gripping Rin's shoulders, "I want you to go! If it's Kagura-san, then please
go! We can always reschedule and have ice-cream later. Besides, if I ever called needing you,
I'd want you to come right away as well."
Rin smiled, "Thanks, bye!"
Azusa watched her run away as fast as the girl's legs could carry her. She silently thought to
herself that Rin had a very kind heart and cared deeply about the one's she was close to. So
much so, that she would sacrifice her own happiness to protect them. Azusa continued walk
towards the shop were Haru worked, all the while thinking and dwelling on Rin. She admired the
girl, her strength was absolutly amazing and Azusa was jealous. She knew that she could never be
as strong as Rin. Rin hid her kindness beneath a cold, thick wall of ice, barring no weakness
to the outside world. Azusa on the other hand, was an open book for people to read and couldn't
stand confrontation when it was an assult directed at her. Rin could protect herself and her
loved ones . . .
Azusa shook her head sadly with a smile of admiration, "I'm a coward compared to Rin-chan and
a weakling."
She was in front of the shop, 'Stider' before she could blink another eyelid. Sighing, she could
already see Taki and a dirty, grease covered Haru chatting it up inside. Probably talking about
bikes and comparing testosterone levels. A man's vehical was an extentino of his penis - or
so her older sister had once said and Azusa was inclined to believe those wise words.
She stepped inside with a big smile and ran towards Taki, "TAKI-KUN!!!"
He hardly had time to turn around before she embraced him in a giant hug, rubbing her face
in his chest and inhaling the scent of coffee and cologne. Somehow, someway, Taki never ever
smelled like cigarettes, perhaps it was because he was total clean freak though you could
never tell.
"Hey Azu," He greeted warmly, eyes softening behind his sunglasses.
* * * *
Rin had taken the bus home, it was faster than the subway. Quickly running inside she slipped
off her shoes beside the only other pair in the doorway. She dropped her bag and ran up stairs
looking around for Kagura. Her older cousin wasn't difficult to find, her crying could be heard
the instant she'd reached the second floor. She flung open Kagura's door and found her curled up
in a corner, sobbing uncontrollably. Kagura's head snapped up as her door frame was cracked by
Rin's abrupt entrance.
"Kagura!"
"Isuzu . . .?" She looked at her cousin with surprise and then jumped to her feet and ran
towards her. Rin was quick to wrap her arms around Kagura and let the girl cry on her
shoulder. The two slumped to the floor; Rin felt Kagura shudder and shake with every breath
she inhaled, her hands gripping onto Rin's school uniform. Rin shushed her with calming words
and stroked her hair, occasionally kissing her forehead.
'Damn you,' Rin thought, her mind focusing on one person only. 'May you burn in hell, Sohma
Kyo.'
* * * *
"What's up?" Haru asked Azusa as she finally noticed him.
"Not much," Was her reply.
"Where's your friend," Taki asked.
"Oh! She had a family emergancy and had to run off!" Azusa said just a little too happily. "Don't
worry, she said she'll come with us another time."
Haru almost sighed in relief, thankful that he didn't have to go through the complications of
meeting a new girl and then the ever poking fear of transforming in front of them. "Well, then
I should get back to work."
"Aww!" Azusa pouted, "You don't want to come with us to get something to eat! There's an ice
cream vendor just down the street! Can't you take just a small break?"
"I don't want to be a third wheel and drag down your fun," Haru said calmly leaning against the
counter.
The two looked at him for a moment and then he noticed that both of their cheeks turned an
interesting color of red and Taki cleared his throat while Azusa scuffled her shoe along with
tile floors.
"YOu wouldn't be," She said quickly.
"There weren't two wheels to begin with," taki said looking away from Azusa quickly and pulled
out another cigarrette then peered over at the sign on wall, "Well I'll be damned - a no
smoking sign. Be right back!" The guy was outside leaning agianst the painted glass and surrounded
by a nice cloud of smoke.
Azusa's shoulders dropped, yet her face contradicted her body language with a smile. "He's so
clueless sometimes!" She giggled.
"I'm sorry," haru said quietly. "I thought you two were . . . you know."
"A couple?" She filled in the blank, a know-it-all finger pointed to the sky.
"Yeah." He apologized again feeling like a total moron, "Sorry."
"No," She said. "Taki thinks he's too old for me, though I would disagree."
"How old is he? Nineteen?"
"Twenty-two next month!" She chuckled at Haru's semi-wide eyes and upturned eyebrows. He looked
like a cow that had just felt human hands on it's utter. "Surprisng isn't it? He looks much
younger than he is."
"I'll say so," Haru said. "So you do like him then?"
"Yes," She answered truthfully, "I love him more than anyone, though I've only told him I like
him. You see, Taki-kun and I have known one another since I was born! I used to chase after him
all the time and hug onto his legs when I was really little. As we grew older though, it went
from his legs to his arms to him in general. I'm surprised he's never found it annoying. I think
he thinks of me as a younger sister; Taki-kun's never had siblings before. He lives with his
mom and she's always working, struggling to pay for his college."
"He's in college?" Haru asked.
"Yeah, surprised again?" She laughed.
"You could say that," Haru said.
* * * *
Rin covered Kagura's sleeping form and left her room, shutting the shoji quietly. Angrily she
walked into her room and changed from her tear soaked uniform to what she called her 'Bitch
outfit'; a short black shirt with a chain-link belt that went around from her up right hip
to her lower right thigh in a diagnal manner, a tight black tank-top with the words 'Disturbed'
written in jagged letters, a pair of thick heeled, knee high whore boots with laces that strung
all the way up, a pair of biker gloves on her hands that matched her black nails, and finally
she placed a ring of silver, small skulls around her neck and a star studded collar on her
throat. She painted her lips with clear gloss and placed eyeliner upon the bottoms and tops of
her eyes, the smugged grey eyeshadow on her eyelid.
She didnt smile into the mirror, but her eyes glistened with the intense want for revenge. She
would make that stupid cat pay for what he was doing to her sweet Kagura. That bastard didn't
have to shoot down all hopes for the girl, he couldn't predict the future and he could never
find a woman who loved him as much as Kagura did. Kagura accepted him long before anyone, family
or not, had. And what did that asshole do? He broke her heart time and time again. Rin had at
one point blamed that girl Tohru, but after meeting her and seeing just how cluelessly
innocent she was, it just wasn't possible that it was Tohru's fault. No, it was Kyo's for
misinterpreting kindness and platonic friendship and acceptance for a possiblity for
romance. What an idiot, she cursed him.
She stalked downstairs and pulled out her long, black trench coat that splitted in the
back and hung to her shins. She left through the front door, making sure to take the spare
keys with her and lock the door. She walked intot he darkened evening, her hands gripping onto
the keys so tightly, that she cut through her glove and hit skin.
* * * *
"Mmm!" Azusa cried happily. "This is really really good! Who knew they would actually have
blueberry ice-cream!"
Haru chuckled a bit, though very quietly, "I didn't know there was a blueberry flavor."
"So," Taki said, being his usual serious, work-aholic self, "You're still coming tomorrow for
your audition?"
"Yes," Haru said, licking his own chocolate/vanilla swirl. "I thought I said that already." He
mumbled, getting a grunted response from Taki.
They sat outside around a small circled table covered by a pink and white stripped umbrella. They
had recieved very odd looks when they had arrived at the ice-cream parlor. It wasn't every
day that the patrons of Shakey's ice-cream saw a dirty mechanic(though he had tried to clean
himself up a bit), a punk of sorts with heavy, silver necklaces, holey, baggy jeans and dirty
converses and blue tipped hair and a hyper-active school girl in one group. Of course, they
didn't know that Azusa was actually a Yankee, Taki was a college student and Haru was a boy
who turned into a cow when hugged by the opposite sex; still, the grouping was weird.
"I want to find someone who can play the piano!" Azusa said suddenly.
"Why?" Taki asked, giving her a skeptical look.
"Because," She pouted. "I've been working on this totally awesome piano piece for a while
now and I want someone besides myself to play it!"
"Are you planning to sing," Taki raised an eyebrow.
"Well," She blushed, "I thought I might give it a try . . . do you think it's a bad idea?"
"No," Taki amended quickly, looking at Haru for support.
"I think it's a wonderful idea," Haru agreed nodding his head. "And my cousin plays the piano,
perhaps I could ask him if he would try the piece."
"Is your family just gifted or what!?" Azusa laughed, "My sister is a boring editor who does
nothing but freak out over this one author dude who plays jokes on her! YOu'd think she'd
take a stress pill or something!"
"Do yo have cousins?" Haru questioned, thinking of his own.
"Yeah," Azusa rested her chin in her hand,"But I don'tk now any of them though. After I
joined the gang, my family (except my sister) disowned me. But I'm not in action
anymore, I quit it around three or fours years ago." Her shadowed eyes betrayed her happy
portrayal of a normal girl, proving that perhaps there was more to Azusa than just a hyper-active
personality and a taste for music.
"Thank God," Taki looked towards heaven gratefully. "Those chicks were scary; I'm glad you
got away from such bad influences."
She scowled. "I'm not a kid, Taki-kun."
"I never said you were."
"You were implying it!"
Haru chuckled, feeling a sense of contentment around these two. Neither knew of the curse and
so, treated him normally. They didn't go to his school, so they didn't know any of his
family. They were completely seperate from the life he'd known for so long. When he'd be isolated
only to his family, but now, he had friends of his own. People he could laugh with carelessly,
but something nagged at the back of his mind; just how long would it last?
* * * *
She stood in front of Shigure's home, glaring up at it's windows and it's perfect walls. The
beautiful lawn with it's garden and the shingles on the roof that burned red in the sunset.
She had a distinct hate for it all right then. She walked up to the door and rang the
bell. Shigure answered, a smirk gracing his charasmatic face.
"Hello, Rin." He said, his body tensing uncomfortably. "Can I help you with something?"
"Where's Kyo?" She asked, keeping her voice icy.
"Shopping with Tohru-kun and Yuki," He answered. "What do you need with him? Does this have
something to do with Kagura-chan?"
"That's none of your business." She looked off to the side, avoiding his inquisitive gaze.
"Kyo has been punished enough," Shigure gave her a dark look. "And has a punishment still
coming to him. You know his fate as well as I; let him live happily until then. Or would
you still like to wait?"
"I don't know," She said, her voice forced.
"Let me ask you this," Shigure said. "Would Kagura want you to do anything to Kyo? If I know
her as well I as she let's me think I do, then no, she wouldn't. She'd want you to leave Kyo
alone. All you should be concerned about, is supporting Kagura. She needs you right now, so
stop being childish and go home." He chuckled a bit. "But this is merely my little opinion."
"Whatever," She turned away from him. "But tell Kyo this for me," She looked over her shoulder,
the red sunset gleaming in her dark eyes. "Tell him to stay away from Kagura, he's hurt her
enough. He can stay with his little Tohru."
Shigure shrugged, "Tell him yourself! Are you hungry? Tohru-kun made some wonderful onigiri
from this mornings breakfast!"
"No thanks."
He stepped from the house and placed a hand on her shoulder, his lips close to her ear, "I'm
afraid I had to tell Akito of your little incident with Haru. He was not pleased to hear
the news, Rin-chan."
She tensed and pushed away from him, "Do what you like. There is NOTHING between myself and
Haru and there never will be. You can tell your master that, dog."
He stood straight and let a small laugh escape his lips, rising his hand to meet it, "I am not
your messenger. As I already said; tell him yourself."
* * * *
Author's note:
GOSH! It's been FOREVER! Anywayz . . . that last part leaves you with the thought, "bastard
Shigure"! I aboslutely LOVE him when he's being a conniving bastard! Makes him so lovable and
fluffy! Mwhaha. Keep checking back, next chapter Haru trys out for the band of his dreams
and sooo much more! (Sounds like a cheesy DragonBall Z Preview. No offense to those who like
DBZ, I do too . . . I just like makeing fun of it for some odd reason)
Bya Bya
Chaos
