Disclaimer-Not mine

Drown

The van screeched to a halt in front of the Hinata House. Kitsune climbed out, alone. She looked back to the two occupants of the van.

"Aren't you two coming in?"

"No. We'll drop the van back off at Seta's then walk back." Kitsune nodded and waved goodbye as she turned away.

"Oh, Kitsune! I forgot!" Kitsune turned to face Naru who was grinning guiltily.

"You have to call your mom!" Kitsune's face went blank for a few seconds before a smile broke out. "Thanks."

With a last salute to the two lovebirds, Kitsune was off. She jogged up the stairs, taking two at a time. She soon reached the top and bent down, huffing. She was really out of shape.

Kitsune made her way inside. She was tired, needed a glass of water and needed to call her mom.

She made her way inside and got a glass of water. As she downed it in a quick succession of gulps, Kitsune reached for the phone. Once her fingers wrapped around it, she set the glass down and took the phone up to her room. She got the sneaking feeling she might need some privacy.

Kitsune passed a smile to Su and Sarah, both of whom were looking awfully guilty right then. She watched them creep down the hall before turning away grinning.

Life was great here.

Of course, she had decided that long ago. She just realized it more acutely because of her might-be disease. Kitsune quietly slid her door open then slid it shut behind her.

It was stuffy in the room. Frowning, Kitsune set the phone down on the table. She jogged lightly to the screen that opened up into the outside world.

Kitsune threw that barring screen back. All of the sudden, a multitude of sound, smell and sight assaulted her senses. There were blossoming flowers, fragrant in their youth. The young buds, colored various shades of pink, purple, yellow and orange. Then there was the exotic aroma of street vendors, the local Chinese diner and the metallic gasoline smell from the whizzing cars. There was the sound of the cars, twittering birds, and chattering school children that were drifting back to school for their clubs and whatnot. For the eyes, there were the aforementioned flowers, cars, kids and the open blue sky, dotted with clouds.

Kitsune couldn't resist the grin that graced her lips. The view was magnificent. Maybe she'd visit that Chinese place later today. Their Kung Pao was the best in Hinata. They also had some real nice Japanese sake. They were Chinese but hey…why complain…

Then she remembered. 'Liver cirrhosis, stupid!' Kitsune mentally kicked herself. That was a waste of thought. Sighing, Kitsune retreated back to the table and sat down. From there, Kitsune held a staring contest with the phone. She obviously lost.

Kitsune grabbed the phone and began dialing. Her heartbeat was up and so were her nerves. What would she tell her mom? A casual 'Oh I might die before the year is over'? No. She'd strike up a conversation, avoiding health. Then go on to her mom's flowers, the shop her mom owned, Kitsune's nieces and nephews, Kitsune's bro-…Someone had answered the phone.

"Hello?" Odd. Didn't sound like anyone she knew.

"Uh…Hi. May I please speak to Mrs. Konno?" There was a silence on the other end.

"Kitsune? Is that you?"

"Yeah…" Kitsune trailed off. She didn't know this person!

"Kitsune, it's Seta. You've got the wrong number." Kitsune brought her hand up to her forehead. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid!'

Of course she would call Seta's place. That's the only phone number she had memorized.

"Sorry Seta. I wanted to call my mom."

He laughed good-naturedly. "I understand. No problem. Well, we should be coming over for dinner. I guess I'll see you later."

"Okay Seta. Bye."

"Bye Kitsune." There was a pause. "I love you." As she hung up, Kitsune smiled. Only he would joke about something like love. He had his.

.~.

Kitsune now had her mom's phone number in her hand. She sat down and took a deep breath. No crying. She had to remain calm, like the water. Sort of. Maybe. Kind of. Not.

Kitsune dialed the number and brought the phone up to her ear. She listened to the ringing expectantly. On the fifth ring, the phone was answered.

"Hello?" It was her mom. Kitsune felt a lump form in her throat. She was speaking to her mother!

"Hello? Is anyone there?" Kitsune realized she hadn't spoken.

"Mom? I-It's me. Kit-ts." There was a pause for a few seconds.

"Mitsune? My little baby girl? Oh my gosh!" Kitsune's mom yelled into the background. "Ryuichi! Seiji! Atasuke! Your sister is on the phone! Call Ai, Kadiri and Nahoko! Then call the grandkids! No never mind! I'll call them! Oki! Ruri! Setsuko! Yoshi! Izo! Jiro! Your auntie is on the phone!"

Kitsune heard a wild rush of noise in the background. Male voices surged, female voices 'shushed', children began to squeal or cry.

"Oh my! It's been so long Mitsune! How have you been?"

"Mom, how are you?" Kitsune ignored her mother's question.

"Oh I'm fine. My arthritis is starting to hurt my joints a little more but nothing some green tea won't heal." Kitsune couldn't help a giggle. Her mother was known for believing in any herbal remedy.

"Mitsune," Her mother's voice had softened, "it's been a very long time since I've seen you. Why don't you come over one day? Please?"

"Mom, I promise I'll come this year. And if I can't I'll send you tickets to come down here."

"Promise?" Kitsune threw back her head and laughed. "I promise mom. So how are your flowers?"

"They look beautiful this year. I have some white roses blooming, darling. You should really see them. Even your brother Atasuke thinks they look nice."

"Are you sure mom? You know Atasuke with flowers." Now her mother laughed, a full laugh like Kitsune's.

"Yes I do, dear. He's too 'manly' for them. Ironic that he married a botanist. Oh…here, I'll give the phone to Ryuichi."

"No! Mom! I need to te-!"

"Hey Kits." Kitsune sighed and slumped over.

"Hi Ryuichi."

"You don't sound too happy. Don't you like talking to your handsome, charismatic and kind older brother?" There was a smile in his speech.

Kitsune snorted at his words. "Me? Like talking to you? Please. I'm trying not to laugh."

A deep laugh sounded from the other end but then quickly became serious. "Really Kits. Something seems to be bothering you."

Kitsune bit her lip. He was her eldest brother. But still…She wanted her mom to know first…

"Okay…I'll tell you. But you have to promise me two things."

"Shoot."

"One: You have to be alone when I tell you so you don't go blurting it out."

"I resent that." Kitsune ignored him.

"Two: You have to give the phone straight to mom after this. No one else. None of your kids, nieces, nephews, sister-in-laws or brothers. Not even Ai."

"But she's my wife!"

"Shut up, you dork!"

"Fine. Right now, I am walking towards the dining room." Kitsune heard his heavy footsteps. "I am in the dining room." Kitsune heard him stop. "And I have shut the dining room door." Kitsune heard the door slam.

"Okay. Now spill, little sis." Once again she bit her lip.

"Ryuichi? Promise me one more thing."

"Sure."

"You can't get mad." She was breaking again. Her tears were building up, threatening to fall. "Promise?"

"I promise." Kitsune took a deep breath. She was crying now. Tears were streaming down her face.

"I might have liver cirrhosis. In s-some cases, it's fa-fatal…"

Silence.

More silence.

Extended silence.

Kitsune dared to whisper into the phone, sniffing as she did. "Ryuichi?"

"Fa…fa…fatal?" Kitsune sniffed.

"Oh god." Ryuichi seemed to be rocking back and forth. Kitsune could picture him doing that. Then she heard him sniff. He was crying too. Kitsune broke.

"Oh don't cry! Please don't cry! Please Ryuichi! I'm the only one supposed to cry! Please!" Kitsune was out of control. He wasn't supposed to cry! He was supposed to be happy and laugh! Be the one to make fun of everyone! He had always been her rock! What about now?

"How can I not cry? How?" He whispered hoarsely. Along with her brother, over the phone, Kitsune began to sob endlessly.

.~.

Once her brother had calmed down, he told Kitsune he would give the phone to their mother. He would inform the others. Through the phone, Kitsune could hear the joyous voices of her family immediately quiet down when her eldest brother came back to the main room.

"Konno Mitsune! Why is your brother crying? What did you say to him?" Kitsune was startled. She hadn't expected to hear her mother so soon.

"Oh! Mom…" Kitsune sniffed. She was still crying.

"…Mitsune? What's wrong?" Her mother's tone had gone down.

"Mom. Promise not t-to get m-mad. Ple…please?" Kitsune swallowed. Her tears had yet to stop and she got the feeling that her joyful mother was going to start crying soon.

"Mitsune, baby. You have to tell me what's wrong. I had you ten tears after your brother, Seiji. I waited a long time for you. Now, I don't think I can wait any longer. It's been two years since I last saw you and I get the hopefully untrue feeling that something bad has happened to you." There was a pause. "What's wrong?"

"Mom…I might… 'Might' being the key word, have a disease."

"A disease?" Her mom whispered. She sounded terrified.

"Yes mother. A disease. It's called liver cirrhosis. A-and sometimes…it's fatal…"

"It's…what?" Her mom's voice was quivering.

"It's sometimes fatal." Then and there, both mother and daughter cried together.

.~.

Kitsune came out of her room, her eyes red and puffy. After speaking with her mother, she spoke in turn with her two remaining brothers, her three sister-in-laws and her nieces and nephews. It had left her emotionally weary.

Slowly, Kitsune proceeded down the steps. All the others were there, along with Seta and his family. Only a few of the gang noticed her, since the music was on so loud. The few that did notice her came and helped her around.

Naru came and gently slid the phone out of her hand.

Keitaro led her to the couch, where she sat down next to Seta.

Seta offered her a shoulder to cry on.

Haruka soothed her frazzled nerves and gave her some snacks.

All in all, Kitsune was happy with her families.

.~.

Thanks for all the reviews you guys. I've been very surprised at the response! I feel so loved when I read them. Hope you like!

bakoxnako-Hello! Thank you for the compliment! I know. LH would be real boring without Kitsune. And that's what's kind of tearing me apart on this. I know it's my story but I would love your feedback on what you think about Kitsune's death if I added it.

dennisud-You are so awesome! You've reviewed most of my chapters and you have very well rounded critique! You have no idea how much your reviews help! I try to keep the process as accurate as possible. It would be real retarded if it wasn't ^.^; I've actually considered bringing one of the guys closer. But not Keitaro. I feel he's too…uptight sometimes for Kitsune. She's very rowdy so I thought maybe a clueless Seta would work. Give me your feedback on this! Even Keitaro. Oh and as for my replies, I feel it necessary to tell you guys' thank you personally. I mean, you take time out to actually review. Thank you!

mr-winkie- Once again, I love your name! It's just so awesome! Like you! I have you and a few others who continuously come back to review and you guys just lift me up! Your reviews are so inspiring. Because of all of you, I continue to write. I'm glad you like the fixed spaces. I did too ^.^ I'm glad you think family is important. What would we do without it? It's just that in the manga (It's all I've read) everyone else's family is mentioned. Except Kitsune's. Dark-Hand brought that up and I felt family would be good.

velocet- Hola! I'm glad you feel my story is worth reading. Some of the stories here aren't that good, I agree. But again, thank you for your support and compliment. It means the world to me!

I hope that's everyone. Thank you all for your reviews. What do feel about romance in here? Any feedback on this is welcome. Good or bad. dennisud opened me up to that idea. Any characters in the show would be good. I just need your reasons for them. Thank you once again!