Disclaimers: I do not own ne of this stuff.
A/N: yay! More reviews! Thanks lots! I never thot that so many people would know the Korean show~! 0_0 but it's the awesomest. Oh, and btw, this story is going to follow most of the plotline there. Including the ending (most prolly.) HAHAHA . sorry. Anyways if you guys have any questions, that you REALLY want answered please email me. Cuz if you put them in the reviews, I'll eventually forget. ^.^;;
Anyways, here's the next chapter. Enjoy! ~_^
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kyou sat up. His cat-like eyes adjusted to the pitch black night fairly quickly. He rubbed his orange hair. What time was it? He glanced at his glow-in-the-dark watch. 4:13 a.m.
Kyou stretched. Although it was extremely early still, he couldn't sleep. Last night's ordeals had hit him full blast. Today, he would right the wrongs and claim Tohru back as his one and only sister.
He thought about the sleeping Rin next door. That bitch had fainted (it was fake, he knew it) and had been ushered into Tohru's bed. By TOHRU. Who had a heart like that? His sister, who had just woken up, pondering the day's events on his back. . . the moment they came into the house, Rin had fainted.
What a jerk.
Kyou looked around. He realized that Tohru would be sleeping on his bed. She had stayed the night before, and Kyou had offered his bed. Kyou enjoyed sleeping on the roof. Although the autumn nights were chilly, he had lived through harsher weather.
As silent and graceful as a cat, Kyou hopped down from his perch. Sand rose beneath his ankles as he dusted himself and walked into the house. A nice fresh cup of milk and a glance at a peaceful, healthy Tohru would do the magic.
He walked into the kitchen, snatching his carton. Tohru had even put a cat sticker on every carton, just to make him smile. Thinking about her ached. The news couldn't be true. Tohru. . . he couldn't afford to lose her. She carried too much of HIM inside her. Her leaving would leave only his shell.
After taking a healthy swig, Kyou sat on the kitchen table, the milk providing fresh energy. He propped his elbow on the cool glass, glancing out the kitchen window. Light was slowly starting to creep into the black sky.
Kyou let his hand drop to a rest. To his surprise, Kyou hit something. It was ceramic. Making a slight clanging sound, he felt it swivel, almost falling onto the glass. Strange.
Kyou felt his way to the light switches. He quickly turned them on. What met his eyes made him want to scream.
Three cups were lined on the table, a pool of tears gathered around them.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //About 10 minutes ago. . .//
Tohru quietly crept down the wooden stairs. Fifteen years of memorizing where the panels didn't creak did her good. They would always do this together, Kyou and her. Sneaking down in the middle of the night, cramming cookies into their mouths, and clambering up again. Unfortunately, they got caught many times, but thinking about fun moments brought a smile to her teary face.
Thinking about her brother made her want to die. He had been so much to her, such a strong support, like a real god. He was handsome, too. She couldn't understand why everyone in the family stayed away from him. He was such a perfect person. A perfect brother.
A perfect friend.
Tohru sneaked into the kitchen, tears overflowing her delicate eyes. Blue eyes tried hard to be strong, blinking them back. She clutched a white, round cookie jar in her hand, and quietly opened it. Nii-san would find these soon, she thought, as she placed a lucky cat charm in the jar. It might aid him, in his big, upcoming art contest.
She then stole her way out of the room. Her heart was tearing into two. Part of her was screaming "No, Tohru. Go back. This is where you belong. Fight for your place in the Sohma Family!" But the other, more reasonable part was coaxing her. "Do the right thing. By leaving, you're ridding them of the burden. You're freeing them. You're doing the right thing. Think of Kyou."
Tohru stood still, hand glued to the doorknob. She was clutching her schoolbag, filled with her homework, some clothing, and pictures. Pictures to last her a lifetime, pictures of happiness, pictures of laughter and smiles.
Pictures of Kyou-kun.
Tohru let another tear mark a river down her pale skin. She took a step back. She rushed into the kitchen. She had to say her final goodbyes.
Taking out the pink box, slowly and steadily from the kitchen cupboard, Tohru placed it on the table. She stared at the four cups, lined together, forming a square. We're connected, she thought, smiling weakly to herself. And we'll always be.
She took a seat, memorizing the delicate contours of her family members. Her strong, steady father, always reasoning, always transforming humour into logic, yet so sensitive and quietly amusing. Her mother, a beautiful, brave, outgoing woman, always smiling, always cheering people on. Although she liked to argue frequently, she never failed to captivate her audience with her beauty.
Tohru started to weep. Tears splattered onto the cups she was holding, almost as if they were crying for her. "Okaa-san. . . Ottou-san. . . please don't cry," she said, wiping away their tears. However, new ones soon replaced them. "This is the best. . . for me, for you, for all of us. Rin will replace me without a doubt. She is a beautiful, smart girl. I'm sure she will do fine."
She looked to the cup with her father. "Sayonara, Ottou-san," she whispered, before planting a firm kiss on the brows of her serious father. Tears would not slow, as she heard a pitter-patter on the glass table. "Sayonara, Okaa-san," she said again, as she pushed her mother's face into her lips gently. She let memories flood her already weakened mind, causing it to buckle. She needed to hold on. She couldn't give up now. Remember. This is all for the best.
Then, she turned to the last cup. Kyou-kun.
Two adorable red eyes met her gaze as the locked in a furious staring contest. Don't go, It screamed, we'll figure it out. Don't leave me. I can't let you go. Don't leave.
My Onigiri.
Tohru let out a small gasp for air. She couldn't hold back her tears anymore. Her heart had finally crumbled into mere ashes. How could she leave her brother? He meant more to her than anyone. She remembered him holding her hand, after she fell, then treating her to ice cream. She remembered how they used to play hide and seek in their neighbourhood, always landing in the same place, under the shelter. She remembered him picking a bouquet of flowers, a shy, boyish grin on his face, adorned by a cherry red blush. She remembered holding hands with him, walking down the dust road, to their first day of school. She remembered rock, paper, scissors. She remembered forgiveness. She remembered teasing and laughter.
She felt the strongest desire to stay, just staring into those crimson eyes of his. "Oh, Kyou-kun . . ." she cried, letting tears hang loosely. She sobbed. She was scared someone would hear her. But she couldn't help it. Her hair was now damp from tears, and she choked on the next words. Her muscles were clenched, biting back agony, fear, and loss. She needed to be strong. Especially for him. She kissed the smooth orange fur, drawn ever so realistically on the piece of ceramic. "Sayonara. . . Kyou-kun."
She let her kiss linger, hoping that her brother would receive her message of love. She lined the four cups together, noticing hers. The riceball. She chuckled, a hollow, sad sound. "I'm taking me with me. I'm leaving you . . . this is all for the best. But. . . my love, my memories. . . a piece of me will always be here." She said, placing her cup within her small, fragile, wet hands. "Onegai. . . don't forget me."
She panted as she almost desperately went to the door. She wrenched the door open, slamming it shut. She hoped no one heard it. Stuffing her cup into her bag, she made a run for it. Tears sparkled in the autumn air, marking a path of sorrow behind Tohru. Memories of her brother screamed at her, calling her back, trying to tear her away from her wretched decision. But she didn't want to hurt anyone else anymore. If she just sacrificed her family, everyone can live together. Everyone will be happy.
Right?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He felt two pieces of steel drag itself down the road. Little by little, memories gained on him, and the pain became much too unbearable. His bike felt like a 100lb weight, and even his hair seemed to add more weight to his already heavy shoulders.
Tohru had left last night. Leaving three, and only three cups in a line. A cat, a mother, and a father. He had woken up everyone. Rin had not come. His parents had got into a fight, whether to go after her or not. He couldn't believe his parents. Would you really need to discuss that? This was TOHRU they were talking about!
He remembered his father, clutching onto Kyou's arm. Telling him not to go. He couldn't stay. He had to find her. She had too much of him. She would kill him if she didn't return.
But his father persevered. He said that they all needed to calm down and think it over. "Think WHAT over!?" Kyou had retaliated. He had lost his most loved one over the course of less than one day. He was prepared to get her back no matter what the cost was.
Then he had done it. His own father. He had screamed to Kyou that Tohru was not his sister. Kyou had gone crazy. He was punching, kicking, knocking everything away. "NO!!!" Kyou had screamed. He felt rage. He felt betrayal. He felt lost. His father reached out to Kyou's left wrist. He remembered the silent threat, as his father's index finger clasped around Kyou's black bead. He couldn't believe it. His father, using such a dirty threat on none other than his own son.
As he walked to school, the only thing he could think about was seeing Tohru again. To comfort her, to reassure her, to treat her to some ice cream. Doing things that made Tohru happy was one of his rare ways of apologizing.
Kyou made it to the front door at the brink of time, just as their school bell chimed. Kaibara High citizens piled in, looking the same, acting the same, thinking the same.
Except for three people.
Honda - no, Sohma Rin sat, in the middle of the class, surrounded by many people. "Is it really true? You're the real Sohma girl?"
Rin sat proudly, grinning from ear to ear. "Yup. I'm rich now. My family loves me. They let me have her room from the instant I stepped in. You know, I think I'll enjoy living this way."
Her classmates wow-ed, whoa-ed, and whooted. She seemed to be the centre of attention. Rin had thoughts of new fortunes whizzing through her mind. She would ask for clothes first. Dresses, skirts, shirts, pants, shoes. . . that one leather skirt with that killing see-through black mesh shirt with those high heeled knee boots, would go perfectly with her sharktooth necklace. She dreamed of a car, any car. Cars were one of the most rare things at that time. She dreamed of redecorating her room. That timid brat Tohru, pastel colours? Out with that! She needed the darkest black, the darkest red, and she needed all her furniture to be swapped. Hmm. . . black curtains wouldn't be bad either.
Then, in the corner, was the unnoticed, unloved Tohru. Her hair was tied up in a messy ponytail, her blue ribbons nowhere to be seen. Instead, black bobby pins replaced them amidst her brown hair, minus the glow. But she didn't seem to mind. Hasegawa was beside her, comforting, crying for her. But she really didn't mind. Of course, the pain of losing a family had been disgusting, but she had found her "real" kin the other night. She seemed like a nice woman. Even though she hadn't smiled, or greeted her in any kind of way, she let Tohru work. As long as Tohru could please her, she was fine. Thoughts of Kyou still raced across her mind. She felt a roasting metal pipe sear through her heart, slowly, painfully boring holes into it. How she missed everyone. How she missed her brother.
Sohma Kyou sat, gazing out his window. He longed to see his sister. He longed to wrap her in his arms and tell her how much he loved her, and how much he didn't want to lose her. How much he wanted to protect her, how much he wanted to see her, how much he wanted to be with her. To see her get married, to tease her husband the way he had teased her, to be the uncle of her children, to tease her children. . . they had been through this many times, promising how they would be there for each other, at times of great need, and happiness.
Tohru. . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As the lunchbell rang, students filed into their classrooms. Each wrenched their lunchboxes open hungrily, gathering around their friends to mooch. A particularly large group flocked around the now famous Sohma Rin, as she cautiously opened her lunch box. Gasps arose in the crowd as scents of appetizing food fluttered through the air. Miyako had been careless enough to pack Rin the usual lunch that Tohru received - rice in a heart shape, fried with ham, egg, onions and pepper. Peas adorned the sides and a layer of egg covered it. Written in ketchup were the letters "I Love You". (it sounds pretty bad but trust me. It's yummy.) "OISHII!" the whole class screamed, begging on their knees for a tiny bite.
Tohru looked back towards her lunch. She opened it and saw a small spoon of pale white rice, with what looked like spinach. Tohru smiled. She knew that her "mother" did not have much money, and even packing spinach for lunch was hard. She was eternally grateful.
Rin smirked. "Having fun?"
Tohru wanted to glare back at her, to tell her that it was wrong of her to gloat that way, when her own mother that had raised her for 15 years was back at home, sick from worry, but she thought better. She smiled, and raised her chopsticks. "Ittadakimasu! Sugoi! This looks so yummy!" she praised, before digging in.
Rin scoffed. That brat. I wonder how long she could keep up with the life of poverty.
Kyou watched from a distance, outside of the classroom. It broke his heart, seeing his sister that way. He would talk to her more after school.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The end of the day came all too soon for Rin. She had hooked a few rich guys, had a massive mob of friends and had organized some interesting "trades". She was already enjoying her life.
But the sensitive part of her screamed at her. How could you be doing this? Your mother. The mother that you left behind is sick from worry. You should atleast go back, say goodbye. You should at least do that. You owe her at least that much. Much, much more than that.
Rin shrugged the reasonable voice away. Thank her? What had she ever done for her? Fed her no good food, sometimes making her starve. Her clothes were all second-hand. Her hair. . . god, she wouldn't even let her do anything with her hair. It was only until she had started to earn scholarships that she could at least take care of her hair.
Rin walked proudly out of the school, a trail of girls and boys marching behind her. This game was turning out to be more interesting than she thought.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tohru walked out of the school, smiling. The day hadn't changed that much. With Hasegawa beside her, and her newfound mother, and the precious memories she treasured, she knew she could make it.
She bid Hasegawa good bye at the front gates. They went in different directions, now that she had moved. As she turned around, her smile faded. God, how she missed everyone.
She saw a pair of feet standing in front of her. She jerked her head up, to see two red eyes staring, freezing her on the spot. His orange hair billowed in the wind, along with his white school uniform.
"Kyou-kun. . ." Tohru managed to say, disbelief echoing through her voice.
Kyou snatched his sister's wrist and pulled her with him, into a new direction. They were heading for the ocean.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kyou sat on the smooth sand, the wind stroking his hair. The same wind flew by Tohru's, begging her to loosen her ponytail. How he longed to see his sister smile with the happiness she once had, to see her hair frolic in the wind, to see her hands intertwine with the rays of the sun. Instead, he saw a weak smile playing at her lips, full of sorrow and longing. He saw her hair tied down, like her soul was, in her new life. He saw her hands clutching onto her school uniform, clinging to her one last hope, her memories.
"Tohru. . ." Kyou began.
She looked up at him. Tears had formed beneath her sweet mask. "Why did you leave?" he asked.
Tohru strengthened her smile. "For you."
Kyou didn't quite understand. But he was willing to drop the subject. He watched as waves crashed onto the banks, breaking their silence. He stared on towards the horizon. The sun had just started to make its descent.
A patch of sand dampened, as Tohru's tears fell down. "Tomorrow's my birthday. . ." she weakly coughed.
Kyou also felt tears well. He knew very well what Tohru was thinking of. The birthdays that she had shared with him. "So. What would you like?"
Tohru shook her head vigorously. She didn't want anything from him. She never did. She just wanted him to protect her, no matter what happened, no matter how they met, no matter what they were. She just wanted her brother to be with her always. She wanted to say this, but she knew it was an act of selfishness. She would never forgive herself is she did. "I want. . ." Tohru thought. There was one thing she wanted. The watch. "I want the watch you gave me last year. . . I left it back at home."
Her eyes were expressionless as blue oceans met fire. It was the first time that Kyou was unable to read his sister. He knew this girl inside out, yet, something was telling me that at this moment, Tohru did not want to be read. Kyou nodded. "Alright."
He felt his heart sink as Tohru got up, leaving her presence to linger amidst the sand. "We shouldn't see each other like this, sempai." She said, biting into Kyou's heart. "No. Don't do this to me, Tohru." Kyou replied.
She stared up at him. Sorrow. Anger. Determination. "We really shouldn't. It would be better for us. Meanwhile. . . we can clear up many things. And you can get to know your sister, Rin, a lot better."
Kyou felt his heart explode. She turned around, heading another unknown direction. "arigatou, sempai. I'll see you tomorrow," she said, giving off fake light, fake smile, fake everything.
He wanted to run up to her, shake her really hard and scream, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" But something told him he shouldn't. And he wouldn't. He would let her soul rest.
For today. . .
Just today.
He would claim her back.
His onigiri.
His Tohru.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The sun brought a new dawn, dragging new day. Kyou arose with a start. He quickly pulled on a pair of black pants and hesitantly buttoned up his shirt. He snatched a yellow parcel from his desk, pulling his bag along the way.
Kyou ran down the hallway. He could hear Rin humming in TOHRU'S room. He felt his fists clench and his teeth bare, but he calmed his nerves. He had to pull off this act. It was the only way to get Tohru's watch back.
He knocked politely. He heard a surprised gasp, but a fake, innocent voice suppressed her surprise. "Come in!" Polite was really not what Kyou was born to do, but he had trained last night for this, even though him thinking about his new kin made him punch a couple of holes into his wall.
Kyou stepped in. He saw Rin, sitting by her bed, legs crossed, her night black hair swaying uncontrollably in the soft breeze. She was still in her nightgown. "O. . . Ohayo, nii-san." She said, a controlled smile on her face. Kyou smiled in return, although he would rather have wretched.
"Uh. Here." He said, holding out his parcel. "Happy 16th Birthday." Rin's eyes widened in surprise. Then happiness took over as she skipped over to her brother, clenching the parcel and ripping it open. There, in her hands, sat a goth-like watch, black leather strap, shaped in a diamond in sparkling silver. Rin wanted to laugh triumphantly. She bit it back. Instead, she re-adjusted her eyes so that it glazed in the sun, and squeezed a couple of tears out. "A. . . arigatou."
Kyou was holding his forced smile. Even a normal person could see through his fake happiness. Certainly, a rat like her would know his true feelings.
Kyou quickly turned around, facing Tohru's desk. At least Rin hadn't contaminated this portion yet. "Oi. Rin." He said, holding up a miniscule pastel blue watch, "Is it okay if I take this?"
Rin's happiness flew away as anger took over. "So, this gift is just to get Tohru's watch back."
Kyou shrugged off this notion. "That one was strictly meant for you. Besides, I want to know you . . . better," he said, gulping. "This one was, and always will be Tohru's."
Rin was on the brink of objecting, when a new smile occupied her black lips. "Of course," she said, in the sweetest manner possible. Kyou was suddenly shocked. "But. . . I . . . I want to take it to her."
Kyou mouthed an objection, but Rin jogged over and pressed her lips on Kyou's tanned cheeks. Kyou felt himself grow lightheaded, and a sudden urge to kill something occupied his senses. When she broke apart, she pressed her finger firmly on Kyou's lips. "Don't say no, nii-san. I want to apologize for many things that happened between us two."
She took the watch from Kyou's limp hands as she silently walked out of the room. Kyou followed, He tumbled down the hallway, heading straight for the bathroom. It will take several hot showers and a thorough bit of scrubbing to wash away that form of "affection".
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tohru greeted the cool morning air as she stepped out. The wind caressed her hair as she felt the soft strands mingle with her skin. She walked over to a patch of flowers and picked one up. She breathed in its sweet scent, the smell comforting her. She imagined Kyou there, with his shy boyish smile, wishing her happy birthday. Really, it was what she really wanted. Just to be back with the Sohmas.
Tohru shook her head. No. She mustn't think that way.
She continued her walk down the road. Unwillingly, she met up with a group of people, led by Sohma Rin. She avoided their path, hiding behind a building. She looked on as they passed her, gossiping crazily. "Ne, ne, Rin- chan, are you really moving?"
"Un." Rin said, proudly, as she let applause erupt from her crowd. "My parents want better education. Nii-san is also coming with us."
"WAI! That's so cool!" The group chorused. "You're moving to America! The heaven of all heavens!"
Rin laughed. "Won't you guys miss me though?"
They suddenly charged into conversation. "Of course we will! We-" "Rin- chan! Don't move we-" "And this won't work! And , but -"
Tohru let her knees give way, crashing onto the hard cement. She braced herself against the wall for support. They were leaving. . . they. . . all . . . taking all of her with them . . .
Kyou-kun . . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Kyou. We need to talk." Kazuma said, as his son approached the room.
"Nani, Ottou-san?" Kyou questioned, as he sat at the table. A towel was slung carelessly over his shoulders, water still drifting off of his wet, spiky orange hair.
Kazuma looked down. "Kyou. We're moving. To America."
"WHAT!?" Kyou screamed, as he jumped up from his perch, knocking his chair forcefully to the ground. "What in God's name did you just say!?"
"We're moving, Kyou." Kazuma repeated. "Your mother and I decided that since you are graduating this year, we can speed that up a bit and move over there for your better education."
"Don't lie to me. . ." Kyou muttered, clenching his fists. Fire returned to his ruby red eyes as his wet hair instantly dried from his anger. He looked up at his father with ultimate hatred. "This is because of Tohru, isn't it?" he spat.
Kazuma turned to his son. "Yes. It would do both families good if we separated for a while. And Rin also needs to adjust - "
"TRAITOR! HOW CAN YOU LEAVE TOHRU LIKE THAT!? HAVE YOU SEEN HER LIVING CONDITIONS? DON'T YOU EVEN CARE!? WHAT IN HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" Kyou screamed, feeling his anger gnaw at his heart. He didn't care what happened. He was staying here, in Japan, with Tohru.
"Kyou. . ."
"NO!" Kyou retaliated, as he stormed out of the house.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tohru sagged into her chair at school. She stared into ultimate blankness. They were leaving to America. Of course. They couldn't be in the same country. It would be too uncomfortable. . . seeing Kyou-kun every day might eventually break her. But she would rather die than never see them again. . . She. . .
Tohru covered her stale face in her hands. They had become coarse from work, and bags had formed under her weary eyes. This news just added to her stress.
She removed her soaked hands from her sapphire eyes as she looked on her desk. There, was a pastel blue watch, perfectly round, and inside, a small, smiling riceball staring up at her, its hands pointing out the time.
Kyou-kun.
She clutched the watch as if it was her own child. She couldn't let go. She couldn't. Somehow she needed to get her brother back. What would she do without him?
The school bell chimed and Tohru stood up, her thoughts interrupted. She put the watch delicately into her bag's pocket, hop skipping out of the classroom. Everything would be okay.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kyou steadily trodded onto school grounds. The news that he had heard from his father kept lingering. America. America. Away from Tohru. He couldn't let this happen. He would never let her go. She was his sister! His own sister! Even though we're not blood related, we share too much. We know each other too well. We would both break.
He turned and ran. He ran towards the school as fast as possible. Maybe. . . maybe if I run fast enough, I can catch up to her. Maybe, if I can run fast enough . . . I can see her one last time. To see her, remind her how much she means to me. If I run fast enough, maybe I can grasp her, and never let her go. If I can run fast enough, maybe she won't run away.
Just maybe. . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tohru stepped back into her homeroom. It was almost the end of the day. Her birthday had fluttered by meaninglessly, no excitement, no happiness, no smiles. No one had noticed, even though before they had all known that her and Rin had shared same birthdays. Except for Hasegawa, everyone had thrown cruel words at her, leaving her out in the rain. Tohru was soaked from exhaustion. She took her seat.
She glanced towards the other end of the class where Rin sat. . . crying. Crying? I wonder what's wrong, Tohru thought. Something's weird. . . Rin usually doesn't cry . . .
Yukari sensei stepped in shortly after. The hustle and bustle around the class subsided, leaving only Rin to cry. Tohru could clearly hear every agonizing gasp, every pain-filled tear splatter against the desk. Whatever happened, she felt horrible.
Yukari sensei lifted her glasses. "Our class has encountered an unfortunate incident today," she said, staring around the room. "Now, I'm sure it was an accident, no intention to hurt. . .
"Now, Rin, please tell the class of your lost belonging."
Rin looked up from her tears. She said, in a choking manner, "I . . . I lost a watch . . . it has a pastel blue strap and a . . . riceball . . . It's really important. . . nii-san gave it to me. . ."
Tohru felt her heart sink. What was she going to do? What would happen? How could she prove her innocence? It was hers, but then again, none of the items in her room at that point was hers. It was Rin's. Was she a thief? Had she been a thief? What was going to happen?
Yukari sensei sighed. "Now, I will forgive the person that took the watch if the speak up now. Alright, who took it?"
No one spoke. No one answered. The silence bothered Tohru. She didn't feel good about this at all. She felt her heart thump like crazy, ramming into her rib cages. It jumped so much that it hurt. What would happen to her now? Should she speak up?
The teacher sighed once again, getting more irritated than ever. "No one? Not one honest soul?" She looked around hopefully once again. Then she got mad. "Everyone, kneel on top of your desk and place your bags on your laps."
The class went into their positions. Tohru did as well. Now there was no escape.
Yukari sensei patrolled the classroom, right to left, sweeping their bags. She looked at it inside out, up and down, and all around. Once cleared, the student took their seats once again. They all pondered, who could have done it?
Tohru was only a desk away. She clutched her bag in fear. What would she say? What would she do? She knew very well it wasn't her fault. Kyou-kun had given it to her last year. But would anyone believe her? After what happened?
Finally, her teacher came to Tohru. "Honda Tohru-chan, bag please," she said, as she scoped the classroom, looking if any student dared to try and smuggle the item. When she got no response from one of her star students, she looked back, startled. "Tohru?"
Tears began to flow. What's happening to me? Tohru cried desperately, if I cry now, I'm just be screaming to the world that I'm guilty! "Tohru?" the teacher said, as she tried to pull the bag from the girl. Tohru fought for it. No. It's not what you think. You can't look in it. You can't . . . "TOHRU, GIVE ME THE BAG!"
With a nasty searing sound, the bag ripped open, revealing a pool of books, lunch, and a small blue watch.
The class gasped in terror. Tohru needed to explain. "I swear. . . I didn't do it. . . Yukari-sensei . . . I didn't do it . . . minna-san . . . Onegai . . . believe me. I didn't . . ."
Her teacher looked up at the flustered Tohru. "Tohru . . . you . . . did you. . ."
Tears now flew down her face in massive clumps. "No . . . sensei . . . please trust me. I didn't do it. Kyou-kun gave it to me . . . last year. . . Kyou-kun-"
With the mention of her former brother, Yukari's ears plucked. "Kyou? Sohma Kyou? He gave it to you? Tell me Tohru, the truth."
Tohru didn't know what to do. How could she bring her brother into this? He would get in trouble! This couldn't be happening! "I. . . I . . ."
Rin stood up from her spot, clutching her heart. "S-sensei, it's okay. I found it now. Besides, I was going to give it to Tohru . . . it's okay, sensei . . ."
Yukari looked extremely disappointed. She stared into Tohru's pleading eyes, disregarding the pain. "Tohru. Go straight to the principal's office. You know the blackboard there? You have to fill it up. Your line is 'I AM A LIAR, I WILL NEVER LIE AGAIN'. Go do it. NOW!"
Tohru was in tears. She had been whipped through a hurricane, spat back out, stepped on, and now a flame was flickering beside her gasoline covered feet. She quickly tumbled off her desk, and trodded down the hallway. She couldn't prove her innocence now. But at least Kyou-kun was okay. At least . . . she was the only one who had to suffer.
Back in class, Rin let a smile of contentment creep dangerously on to her lips.
Happy Birthday, Tohru.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kyou couldn't find her anywhere at all. He had searched the grounds five times over, had navigated the school more than twice, and had even searched under vegetation. It was nearly five o'clock, yet he couldn't find his sister ANYWHERE.
He decided to wander back into the school again. He scoped the halls, searched in each classroom, and even glanced into the washroom for any sign of Tohru. None.
Desperate, exasperated, Kyou dragged his feet down the last hallway. Where is she? I need to talk to her. I wonder if she got her present. Thoughts occupied his mind as he continued his march.
A soft scraping sound caught his ears. Kyou's orange hair bristled in excitement. He peered into the principal's office. There, in a tangled mass of brown hair, tears and guilt, stood a small girl, filling up the last remaining inches of the blackboard. Her hands were dusted with chalk, and when she turned around at the sound of the creak, he noticed her face clearly screaming "PAIN".
"Kyou-kun . . ."
Kyou walked towards his sister. He quickly comprehended what had happened. "Onigiri."
Tohru turned away. "Gomenasai, sempai. I . . . I . . ."
"DON'T CALL ME THAT, TOHRU!" Kyou shouted, taking his sister by surprise. "I. . . I'm not your sempai. I'm your brother."
Tohru let tears fall. "Iie. Sempai. . . we . . . we can't start over."
"Oh yeah?" Kyou said, as he dropped his bag onto the floor. He marched straight to Tohru, and grasped her hand. "Konichiwa. My name is Sohma Kyou. I've seen you for the first time. And man, oh man, are you pretty. I'd like to be friends with you. By the way, what is your name?"
Her brother literally screamed that phrase out, desperately trying to reach out to her. Again. Trying to comfort her. Again. Trying to be with her. . . as always.
Tohru fell into her brother's spell. He was just too . . . too familiar to resist. "I . . . I didn't lie, Kyou-kun. I'm not a liar. . . I found it . . . and I knew it was mine . . . I didn't lie. . ."
Kyou pulled her in. Her warm tears hit his shoulders, dampening his uniform. He wrapped his strong arms around Tohru's weak shoulders, feeling her body collapse heavily with his. She managed to encircle her arms around Kyou's chest before burying herself completely into his shoulders. She started to cry as a loud *pung* engulfed the room, leaving Tohru clutching on to an orange cat. Kyou let Tohru cry her heart out. She was going through so much pain . . . if only he could take a piece of it with him. "Tohru . . ."
"Kyou-kun . . . don't leave . . . don't leave me. . ." Tohru gasped, barely audible but still enunciated with excruciating loneliness.
Kyou placed his paw on Tohru's shoulders, as she stroked his fur tenderly, lovingly. When Tohru stopped crying, he stared into her luring eyes, messaging to him, begging. He wanted to see her smile. He wanted to see her laugh. "Oi. . . Don't cry."
Tohru giggled. He was so soothing. His harsh, brash personality was a lie. Inside, he had a heart made of pure gold. "Silly kitty."
She placed Kyou down onto the floor. He continued to stare. Those eyes reminded him of somewhere, that he knew Tohru could relax. He coaxed, for the first time in many years. "Tohru . . ." he said, a smile lighting his face, "Let's go to the ocean."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
R&R! ^.^
A/N: yay! More reviews! Thanks lots! I never thot that so many people would know the Korean show~! 0_0 but it's the awesomest. Oh, and btw, this story is going to follow most of the plotline there. Including the ending (most prolly.) HAHAHA . sorry. Anyways if you guys have any questions, that you REALLY want answered please email me. Cuz if you put them in the reviews, I'll eventually forget. ^.^;;
Anyways, here's the next chapter. Enjoy! ~_^
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kyou sat up. His cat-like eyes adjusted to the pitch black night fairly quickly. He rubbed his orange hair. What time was it? He glanced at his glow-in-the-dark watch. 4:13 a.m.
Kyou stretched. Although it was extremely early still, he couldn't sleep. Last night's ordeals had hit him full blast. Today, he would right the wrongs and claim Tohru back as his one and only sister.
He thought about the sleeping Rin next door. That bitch had fainted (it was fake, he knew it) and had been ushered into Tohru's bed. By TOHRU. Who had a heart like that? His sister, who had just woken up, pondering the day's events on his back. . . the moment they came into the house, Rin had fainted.
What a jerk.
Kyou looked around. He realized that Tohru would be sleeping on his bed. She had stayed the night before, and Kyou had offered his bed. Kyou enjoyed sleeping on the roof. Although the autumn nights were chilly, he had lived through harsher weather.
As silent and graceful as a cat, Kyou hopped down from his perch. Sand rose beneath his ankles as he dusted himself and walked into the house. A nice fresh cup of milk and a glance at a peaceful, healthy Tohru would do the magic.
He walked into the kitchen, snatching his carton. Tohru had even put a cat sticker on every carton, just to make him smile. Thinking about her ached. The news couldn't be true. Tohru. . . he couldn't afford to lose her. She carried too much of HIM inside her. Her leaving would leave only his shell.
After taking a healthy swig, Kyou sat on the kitchen table, the milk providing fresh energy. He propped his elbow on the cool glass, glancing out the kitchen window. Light was slowly starting to creep into the black sky.
Kyou let his hand drop to a rest. To his surprise, Kyou hit something. It was ceramic. Making a slight clanging sound, he felt it swivel, almost falling onto the glass. Strange.
Kyou felt his way to the light switches. He quickly turned them on. What met his eyes made him want to scream.
Three cups were lined on the table, a pool of tears gathered around them.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //About 10 minutes ago. . .//
Tohru quietly crept down the wooden stairs. Fifteen years of memorizing where the panels didn't creak did her good. They would always do this together, Kyou and her. Sneaking down in the middle of the night, cramming cookies into their mouths, and clambering up again. Unfortunately, they got caught many times, but thinking about fun moments brought a smile to her teary face.
Thinking about her brother made her want to die. He had been so much to her, such a strong support, like a real god. He was handsome, too. She couldn't understand why everyone in the family stayed away from him. He was such a perfect person. A perfect brother.
A perfect friend.
Tohru sneaked into the kitchen, tears overflowing her delicate eyes. Blue eyes tried hard to be strong, blinking them back. She clutched a white, round cookie jar in her hand, and quietly opened it. Nii-san would find these soon, she thought, as she placed a lucky cat charm in the jar. It might aid him, in his big, upcoming art contest.
She then stole her way out of the room. Her heart was tearing into two. Part of her was screaming "No, Tohru. Go back. This is where you belong. Fight for your place in the Sohma Family!" But the other, more reasonable part was coaxing her. "Do the right thing. By leaving, you're ridding them of the burden. You're freeing them. You're doing the right thing. Think of Kyou."
Tohru stood still, hand glued to the doorknob. She was clutching her schoolbag, filled with her homework, some clothing, and pictures. Pictures to last her a lifetime, pictures of happiness, pictures of laughter and smiles.
Pictures of Kyou-kun.
Tohru let another tear mark a river down her pale skin. She took a step back. She rushed into the kitchen. She had to say her final goodbyes.
Taking out the pink box, slowly and steadily from the kitchen cupboard, Tohru placed it on the table. She stared at the four cups, lined together, forming a square. We're connected, she thought, smiling weakly to herself. And we'll always be.
She took a seat, memorizing the delicate contours of her family members. Her strong, steady father, always reasoning, always transforming humour into logic, yet so sensitive and quietly amusing. Her mother, a beautiful, brave, outgoing woman, always smiling, always cheering people on. Although she liked to argue frequently, she never failed to captivate her audience with her beauty.
Tohru started to weep. Tears splattered onto the cups she was holding, almost as if they were crying for her. "Okaa-san. . . Ottou-san. . . please don't cry," she said, wiping away their tears. However, new ones soon replaced them. "This is the best. . . for me, for you, for all of us. Rin will replace me without a doubt. She is a beautiful, smart girl. I'm sure she will do fine."
She looked to the cup with her father. "Sayonara, Ottou-san," she whispered, before planting a firm kiss on the brows of her serious father. Tears would not slow, as she heard a pitter-patter on the glass table. "Sayonara, Okaa-san," she said again, as she pushed her mother's face into her lips gently. She let memories flood her already weakened mind, causing it to buckle. She needed to hold on. She couldn't give up now. Remember. This is all for the best.
Then, she turned to the last cup. Kyou-kun.
Two adorable red eyes met her gaze as the locked in a furious staring contest. Don't go, It screamed, we'll figure it out. Don't leave me. I can't let you go. Don't leave.
My Onigiri.
Tohru let out a small gasp for air. She couldn't hold back her tears anymore. Her heart had finally crumbled into mere ashes. How could she leave her brother? He meant more to her than anyone. She remembered him holding her hand, after she fell, then treating her to ice cream. She remembered how they used to play hide and seek in their neighbourhood, always landing in the same place, under the shelter. She remembered him picking a bouquet of flowers, a shy, boyish grin on his face, adorned by a cherry red blush. She remembered holding hands with him, walking down the dust road, to their first day of school. She remembered rock, paper, scissors. She remembered forgiveness. She remembered teasing and laughter.
She felt the strongest desire to stay, just staring into those crimson eyes of his. "Oh, Kyou-kun . . ." she cried, letting tears hang loosely. She sobbed. She was scared someone would hear her. But she couldn't help it. Her hair was now damp from tears, and she choked on the next words. Her muscles were clenched, biting back agony, fear, and loss. She needed to be strong. Especially for him. She kissed the smooth orange fur, drawn ever so realistically on the piece of ceramic. "Sayonara. . . Kyou-kun."
She let her kiss linger, hoping that her brother would receive her message of love. She lined the four cups together, noticing hers. The riceball. She chuckled, a hollow, sad sound. "I'm taking me with me. I'm leaving you . . . this is all for the best. But. . . my love, my memories. . . a piece of me will always be here." She said, placing her cup within her small, fragile, wet hands. "Onegai. . . don't forget me."
She panted as she almost desperately went to the door. She wrenched the door open, slamming it shut. She hoped no one heard it. Stuffing her cup into her bag, she made a run for it. Tears sparkled in the autumn air, marking a path of sorrow behind Tohru. Memories of her brother screamed at her, calling her back, trying to tear her away from her wretched decision. But she didn't want to hurt anyone else anymore. If she just sacrificed her family, everyone can live together. Everyone will be happy.
Right?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He felt two pieces of steel drag itself down the road. Little by little, memories gained on him, and the pain became much too unbearable. His bike felt like a 100lb weight, and even his hair seemed to add more weight to his already heavy shoulders.
Tohru had left last night. Leaving three, and only three cups in a line. A cat, a mother, and a father. He had woken up everyone. Rin had not come. His parents had got into a fight, whether to go after her or not. He couldn't believe his parents. Would you really need to discuss that? This was TOHRU they were talking about!
He remembered his father, clutching onto Kyou's arm. Telling him not to go. He couldn't stay. He had to find her. She had too much of him. She would kill him if she didn't return.
But his father persevered. He said that they all needed to calm down and think it over. "Think WHAT over!?" Kyou had retaliated. He had lost his most loved one over the course of less than one day. He was prepared to get her back no matter what the cost was.
Then he had done it. His own father. He had screamed to Kyou that Tohru was not his sister. Kyou had gone crazy. He was punching, kicking, knocking everything away. "NO!!!" Kyou had screamed. He felt rage. He felt betrayal. He felt lost. His father reached out to Kyou's left wrist. He remembered the silent threat, as his father's index finger clasped around Kyou's black bead. He couldn't believe it. His father, using such a dirty threat on none other than his own son.
As he walked to school, the only thing he could think about was seeing Tohru again. To comfort her, to reassure her, to treat her to some ice cream. Doing things that made Tohru happy was one of his rare ways of apologizing.
Kyou made it to the front door at the brink of time, just as their school bell chimed. Kaibara High citizens piled in, looking the same, acting the same, thinking the same.
Except for three people.
Honda - no, Sohma Rin sat, in the middle of the class, surrounded by many people. "Is it really true? You're the real Sohma girl?"
Rin sat proudly, grinning from ear to ear. "Yup. I'm rich now. My family loves me. They let me have her room from the instant I stepped in. You know, I think I'll enjoy living this way."
Her classmates wow-ed, whoa-ed, and whooted. She seemed to be the centre of attention. Rin had thoughts of new fortunes whizzing through her mind. She would ask for clothes first. Dresses, skirts, shirts, pants, shoes. . . that one leather skirt with that killing see-through black mesh shirt with those high heeled knee boots, would go perfectly with her sharktooth necklace. She dreamed of a car, any car. Cars were one of the most rare things at that time. She dreamed of redecorating her room. That timid brat Tohru, pastel colours? Out with that! She needed the darkest black, the darkest red, and she needed all her furniture to be swapped. Hmm. . . black curtains wouldn't be bad either.
Then, in the corner, was the unnoticed, unloved Tohru. Her hair was tied up in a messy ponytail, her blue ribbons nowhere to be seen. Instead, black bobby pins replaced them amidst her brown hair, minus the glow. But she didn't seem to mind. Hasegawa was beside her, comforting, crying for her. But she really didn't mind. Of course, the pain of losing a family had been disgusting, but she had found her "real" kin the other night. She seemed like a nice woman. Even though she hadn't smiled, or greeted her in any kind of way, she let Tohru work. As long as Tohru could please her, she was fine. Thoughts of Kyou still raced across her mind. She felt a roasting metal pipe sear through her heart, slowly, painfully boring holes into it. How she missed everyone. How she missed her brother.
Sohma Kyou sat, gazing out his window. He longed to see his sister. He longed to wrap her in his arms and tell her how much he loved her, and how much he didn't want to lose her. How much he wanted to protect her, how much he wanted to see her, how much he wanted to be with her. To see her get married, to tease her husband the way he had teased her, to be the uncle of her children, to tease her children. . . they had been through this many times, promising how they would be there for each other, at times of great need, and happiness.
Tohru. . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As the lunchbell rang, students filed into their classrooms. Each wrenched their lunchboxes open hungrily, gathering around their friends to mooch. A particularly large group flocked around the now famous Sohma Rin, as she cautiously opened her lunch box. Gasps arose in the crowd as scents of appetizing food fluttered through the air. Miyako had been careless enough to pack Rin the usual lunch that Tohru received - rice in a heart shape, fried with ham, egg, onions and pepper. Peas adorned the sides and a layer of egg covered it. Written in ketchup were the letters "I Love You". (it sounds pretty bad but trust me. It's yummy.) "OISHII!" the whole class screamed, begging on their knees for a tiny bite.
Tohru looked back towards her lunch. She opened it and saw a small spoon of pale white rice, with what looked like spinach. Tohru smiled. She knew that her "mother" did not have much money, and even packing spinach for lunch was hard. She was eternally grateful.
Rin smirked. "Having fun?"
Tohru wanted to glare back at her, to tell her that it was wrong of her to gloat that way, when her own mother that had raised her for 15 years was back at home, sick from worry, but she thought better. She smiled, and raised her chopsticks. "Ittadakimasu! Sugoi! This looks so yummy!" she praised, before digging in.
Rin scoffed. That brat. I wonder how long she could keep up with the life of poverty.
Kyou watched from a distance, outside of the classroom. It broke his heart, seeing his sister that way. He would talk to her more after school.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The end of the day came all too soon for Rin. She had hooked a few rich guys, had a massive mob of friends and had organized some interesting "trades". She was already enjoying her life.
But the sensitive part of her screamed at her. How could you be doing this? Your mother. The mother that you left behind is sick from worry. You should atleast go back, say goodbye. You should at least do that. You owe her at least that much. Much, much more than that.
Rin shrugged the reasonable voice away. Thank her? What had she ever done for her? Fed her no good food, sometimes making her starve. Her clothes were all second-hand. Her hair. . . god, she wouldn't even let her do anything with her hair. It was only until she had started to earn scholarships that she could at least take care of her hair.
Rin walked proudly out of the school, a trail of girls and boys marching behind her. This game was turning out to be more interesting than she thought.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tohru walked out of the school, smiling. The day hadn't changed that much. With Hasegawa beside her, and her newfound mother, and the precious memories she treasured, she knew she could make it.
She bid Hasegawa good bye at the front gates. They went in different directions, now that she had moved. As she turned around, her smile faded. God, how she missed everyone.
She saw a pair of feet standing in front of her. She jerked her head up, to see two red eyes staring, freezing her on the spot. His orange hair billowed in the wind, along with his white school uniform.
"Kyou-kun. . ." Tohru managed to say, disbelief echoing through her voice.
Kyou snatched his sister's wrist and pulled her with him, into a new direction. They were heading for the ocean.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kyou sat on the smooth sand, the wind stroking his hair. The same wind flew by Tohru's, begging her to loosen her ponytail. How he longed to see his sister smile with the happiness she once had, to see her hair frolic in the wind, to see her hands intertwine with the rays of the sun. Instead, he saw a weak smile playing at her lips, full of sorrow and longing. He saw her hair tied down, like her soul was, in her new life. He saw her hands clutching onto her school uniform, clinging to her one last hope, her memories.
"Tohru. . ." Kyou began.
She looked up at him. Tears had formed beneath her sweet mask. "Why did you leave?" he asked.
Tohru strengthened her smile. "For you."
Kyou didn't quite understand. But he was willing to drop the subject. He watched as waves crashed onto the banks, breaking their silence. He stared on towards the horizon. The sun had just started to make its descent.
A patch of sand dampened, as Tohru's tears fell down. "Tomorrow's my birthday. . ." she weakly coughed.
Kyou also felt tears well. He knew very well what Tohru was thinking of. The birthdays that she had shared with him. "So. What would you like?"
Tohru shook her head vigorously. She didn't want anything from him. She never did. She just wanted him to protect her, no matter what happened, no matter how they met, no matter what they were. She just wanted her brother to be with her always. She wanted to say this, but she knew it was an act of selfishness. She would never forgive herself is she did. "I want. . ." Tohru thought. There was one thing she wanted. The watch. "I want the watch you gave me last year. . . I left it back at home."
Her eyes were expressionless as blue oceans met fire. It was the first time that Kyou was unable to read his sister. He knew this girl inside out, yet, something was telling me that at this moment, Tohru did not want to be read. Kyou nodded. "Alright."
He felt his heart sink as Tohru got up, leaving her presence to linger amidst the sand. "We shouldn't see each other like this, sempai." She said, biting into Kyou's heart. "No. Don't do this to me, Tohru." Kyou replied.
She stared up at him. Sorrow. Anger. Determination. "We really shouldn't. It would be better for us. Meanwhile. . . we can clear up many things. And you can get to know your sister, Rin, a lot better."
Kyou felt his heart explode. She turned around, heading another unknown direction. "arigatou, sempai. I'll see you tomorrow," she said, giving off fake light, fake smile, fake everything.
He wanted to run up to her, shake her really hard and scream, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" But something told him he shouldn't. And he wouldn't. He would let her soul rest.
For today. . .
Just today.
He would claim her back.
His onigiri.
His Tohru.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The sun brought a new dawn, dragging new day. Kyou arose with a start. He quickly pulled on a pair of black pants and hesitantly buttoned up his shirt. He snatched a yellow parcel from his desk, pulling his bag along the way.
Kyou ran down the hallway. He could hear Rin humming in TOHRU'S room. He felt his fists clench and his teeth bare, but he calmed his nerves. He had to pull off this act. It was the only way to get Tohru's watch back.
He knocked politely. He heard a surprised gasp, but a fake, innocent voice suppressed her surprise. "Come in!" Polite was really not what Kyou was born to do, but he had trained last night for this, even though him thinking about his new kin made him punch a couple of holes into his wall.
Kyou stepped in. He saw Rin, sitting by her bed, legs crossed, her night black hair swaying uncontrollably in the soft breeze. She was still in her nightgown. "O. . . Ohayo, nii-san." She said, a controlled smile on her face. Kyou smiled in return, although he would rather have wretched.
"Uh. Here." He said, holding out his parcel. "Happy 16th Birthday." Rin's eyes widened in surprise. Then happiness took over as she skipped over to her brother, clenching the parcel and ripping it open. There, in her hands, sat a goth-like watch, black leather strap, shaped in a diamond in sparkling silver. Rin wanted to laugh triumphantly. She bit it back. Instead, she re-adjusted her eyes so that it glazed in the sun, and squeezed a couple of tears out. "A. . . arigatou."
Kyou was holding his forced smile. Even a normal person could see through his fake happiness. Certainly, a rat like her would know his true feelings.
Kyou quickly turned around, facing Tohru's desk. At least Rin hadn't contaminated this portion yet. "Oi. Rin." He said, holding up a miniscule pastel blue watch, "Is it okay if I take this?"
Rin's happiness flew away as anger took over. "So, this gift is just to get Tohru's watch back."
Kyou shrugged off this notion. "That one was strictly meant for you. Besides, I want to know you . . . better," he said, gulping. "This one was, and always will be Tohru's."
Rin was on the brink of objecting, when a new smile occupied her black lips. "Of course," she said, in the sweetest manner possible. Kyou was suddenly shocked. "But. . . I . . . I want to take it to her."
Kyou mouthed an objection, but Rin jogged over and pressed her lips on Kyou's tanned cheeks. Kyou felt himself grow lightheaded, and a sudden urge to kill something occupied his senses. When she broke apart, she pressed her finger firmly on Kyou's lips. "Don't say no, nii-san. I want to apologize for many things that happened between us two."
She took the watch from Kyou's limp hands as she silently walked out of the room. Kyou followed, He tumbled down the hallway, heading straight for the bathroom. It will take several hot showers and a thorough bit of scrubbing to wash away that form of "affection".
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tohru greeted the cool morning air as she stepped out. The wind caressed her hair as she felt the soft strands mingle with her skin. She walked over to a patch of flowers and picked one up. She breathed in its sweet scent, the smell comforting her. She imagined Kyou there, with his shy boyish smile, wishing her happy birthday. Really, it was what she really wanted. Just to be back with the Sohmas.
Tohru shook her head. No. She mustn't think that way.
She continued her walk down the road. Unwillingly, she met up with a group of people, led by Sohma Rin. She avoided their path, hiding behind a building. She looked on as they passed her, gossiping crazily. "Ne, ne, Rin- chan, are you really moving?"
"Un." Rin said, proudly, as she let applause erupt from her crowd. "My parents want better education. Nii-san is also coming with us."
"WAI! That's so cool!" The group chorused. "You're moving to America! The heaven of all heavens!"
Rin laughed. "Won't you guys miss me though?"
They suddenly charged into conversation. "Of course we will! We-" "Rin- chan! Don't move we-" "And this won't work! And , but -"
Tohru let her knees give way, crashing onto the hard cement. She braced herself against the wall for support. They were leaving. . . they. . . all . . . taking all of her with them . . .
Kyou-kun . . .
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Kyou. We need to talk." Kazuma said, as his son approached the room.
"Nani, Ottou-san?" Kyou questioned, as he sat at the table. A towel was slung carelessly over his shoulders, water still drifting off of his wet, spiky orange hair.
Kazuma looked down. "Kyou. We're moving. To America."
"WHAT!?" Kyou screamed, as he jumped up from his perch, knocking his chair forcefully to the ground. "What in God's name did you just say!?"
"We're moving, Kyou." Kazuma repeated. "Your mother and I decided that since you are graduating this year, we can speed that up a bit and move over there for your better education."
"Don't lie to me. . ." Kyou muttered, clenching his fists. Fire returned to his ruby red eyes as his wet hair instantly dried from his anger. He looked up at his father with ultimate hatred. "This is because of Tohru, isn't it?" he spat.
Kazuma turned to his son. "Yes. It would do both families good if we separated for a while. And Rin also needs to adjust - "
"TRAITOR! HOW CAN YOU LEAVE TOHRU LIKE THAT!? HAVE YOU SEEN HER LIVING CONDITIONS? DON'T YOU EVEN CARE!? WHAT IN HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!?" Kyou screamed, feeling his anger gnaw at his heart. He didn't care what happened. He was staying here, in Japan, with Tohru.
"Kyou. . ."
"NO!" Kyou retaliated, as he stormed out of the house.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tohru sagged into her chair at school. She stared into ultimate blankness. They were leaving to America. Of course. They couldn't be in the same country. It would be too uncomfortable. . . seeing Kyou-kun every day might eventually break her. But she would rather die than never see them again. . . She. . .
Tohru covered her stale face in her hands. They had become coarse from work, and bags had formed under her weary eyes. This news just added to her stress.
She removed her soaked hands from her sapphire eyes as she looked on her desk. There, was a pastel blue watch, perfectly round, and inside, a small, smiling riceball staring up at her, its hands pointing out the time.
Kyou-kun.
She clutched the watch as if it was her own child. She couldn't let go. She couldn't. Somehow she needed to get her brother back. What would she do without him?
The school bell chimed and Tohru stood up, her thoughts interrupted. She put the watch delicately into her bag's pocket, hop skipping out of the classroom. Everything would be okay.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kyou steadily trodded onto school grounds. The news that he had heard from his father kept lingering. America. America. Away from Tohru. He couldn't let this happen. He would never let her go. She was his sister! His own sister! Even though we're not blood related, we share too much. We know each other too well. We would both break.
He turned and ran. He ran towards the school as fast as possible. Maybe. . . maybe if I run fast enough, I can catch up to her. Maybe, if I can run fast enough . . . I can see her one last time. To see her, remind her how much she means to me. If I run fast enough, maybe I can grasp her, and never let her go. If I can run fast enough, maybe she won't run away.
Just maybe. . .
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Tohru stepped back into her homeroom. It was almost the end of the day. Her birthday had fluttered by meaninglessly, no excitement, no happiness, no smiles. No one had noticed, even though before they had all known that her and Rin had shared same birthdays. Except for Hasegawa, everyone had thrown cruel words at her, leaving her out in the rain. Tohru was soaked from exhaustion. She took her seat.
She glanced towards the other end of the class where Rin sat. . . crying. Crying? I wonder what's wrong, Tohru thought. Something's weird. . . Rin usually doesn't cry . . .
Yukari sensei stepped in shortly after. The hustle and bustle around the class subsided, leaving only Rin to cry. Tohru could clearly hear every agonizing gasp, every pain-filled tear splatter against the desk. Whatever happened, she felt horrible.
Yukari sensei lifted her glasses. "Our class has encountered an unfortunate incident today," she said, staring around the room. "Now, I'm sure it was an accident, no intention to hurt. . .
"Now, Rin, please tell the class of your lost belonging."
Rin looked up from her tears. She said, in a choking manner, "I . . . I lost a watch . . . it has a pastel blue strap and a . . . riceball . . . It's really important. . . nii-san gave it to me. . ."
Tohru felt her heart sink. What was she going to do? What would happen? How could she prove her innocence? It was hers, but then again, none of the items in her room at that point was hers. It was Rin's. Was she a thief? Had she been a thief? What was going to happen?
Yukari sensei sighed. "Now, I will forgive the person that took the watch if the speak up now. Alright, who took it?"
No one spoke. No one answered. The silence bothered Tohru. She didn't feel good about this at all. She felt her heart thump like crazy, ramming into her rib cages. It jumped so much that it hurt. What would happen to her now? Should she speak up?
The teacher sighed once again, getting more irritated than ever. "No one? Not one honest soul?" She looked around hopefully once again. Then she got mad. "Everyone, kneel on top of your desk and place your bags on your laps."
The class went into their positions. Tohru did as well. Now there was no escape.
Yukari sensei patrolled the classroom, right to left, sweeping their bags. She looked at it inside out, up and down, and all around. Once cleared, the student took their seats once again. They all pondered, who could have done it?
Tohru was only a desk away. She clutched her bag in fear. What would she say? What would she do? She knew very well it wasn't her fault. Kyou-kun had given it to her last year. But would anyone believe her? After what happened?
Finally, her teacher came to Tohru. "Honda Tohru-chan, bag please," she said, as she scoped the classroom, looking if any student dared to try and smuggle the item. When she got no response from one of her star students, she looked back, startled. "Tohru?"
Tears began to flow. What's happening to me? Tohru cried desperately, if I cry now, I'm just be screaming to the world that I'm guilty! "Tohru?" the teacher said, as she tried to pull the bag from the girl. Tohru fought for it. No. It's not what you think. You can't look in it. You can't . . . "TOHRU, GIVE ME THE BAG!"
With a nasty searing sound, the bag ripped open, revealing a pool of books, lunch, and a small blue watch.
The class gasped in terror. Tohru needed to explain. "I swear. . . I didn't do it. . . Yukari-sensei . . . I didn't do it . . . minna-san . . . Onegai . . . believe me. I didn't . . ."
Her teacher looked up at the flustered Tohru. "Tohru . . . you . . . did you. . ."
Tears now flew down her face in massive clumps. "No . . . sensei . . . please trust me. I didn't do it. Kyou-kun gave it to me . . . last year. . . Kyou-kun-"
With the mention of her former brother, Yukari's ears plucked. "Kyou? Sohma Kyou? He gave it to you? Tell me Tohru, the truth."
Tohru didn't know what to do. How could she bring her brother into this? He would get in trouble! This couldn't be happening! "I. . . I . . ."
Rin stood up from her spot, clutching her heart. "S-sensei, it's okay. I found it now. Besides, I was going to give it to Tohru . . . it's okay, sensei . . ."
Yukari looked extremely disappointed. She stared into Tohru's pleading eyes, disregarding the pain. "Tohru. Go straight to the principal's office. You know the blackboard there? You have to fill it up. Your line is 'I AM A LIAR, I WILL NEVER LIE AGAIN'. Go do it. NOW!"
Tohru was in tears. She had been whipped through a hurricane, spat back out, stepped on, and now a flame was flickering beside her gasoline covered feet. She quickly tumbled off her desk, and trodded down the hallway. She couldn't prove her innocence now. But at least Kyou-kun was okay. At least . . . she was the only one who had to suffer.
Back in class, Rin let a smile of contentment creep dangerously on to her lips.
Happy Birthday, Tohru.
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Kyou couldn't find her anywhere at all. He had searched the grounds five times over, had navigated the school more than twice, and had even searched under vegetation. It was nearly five o'clock, yet he couldn't find his sister ANYWHERE.
He decided to wander back into the school again. He scoped the halls, searched in each classroom, and even glanced into the washroom for any sign of Tohru. None.
Desperate, exasperated, Kyou dragged his feet down the last hallway. Where is she? I need to talk to her. I wonder if she got her present. Thoughts occupied his mind as he continued his march.
A soft scraping sound caught his ears. Kyou's orange hair bristled in excitement. He peered into the principal's office. There, in a tangled mass of brown hair, tears and guilt, stood a small girl, filling up the last remaining inches of the blackboard. Her hands were dusted with chalk, and when she turned around at the sound of the creak, he noticed her face clearly screaming "PAIN".
"Kyou-kun . . ."
Kyou walked towards his sister. He quickly comprehended what had happened. "Onigiri."
Tohru turned away. "Gomenasai, sempai. I . . . I . . ."
"DON'T CALL ME THAT, TOHRU!" Kyou shouted, taking his sister by surprise. "I. . . I'm not your sempai. I'm your brother."
Tohru let tears fall. "Iie. Sempai. . . we . . . we can't start over."
"Oh yeah?" Kyou said, as he dropped his bag onto the floor. He marched straight to Tohru, and grasped her hand. "Konichiwa. My name is Sohma Kyou. I've seen you for the first time. And man, oh man, are you pretty. I'd like to be friends with you. By the way, what is your name?"
Her brother literally screamed that phrase out, desperately trying to reach out to her. Again. Trying to comfort her. Again. Trying to be with her. . . as always.
Tohru fell into her brother's spell. He was just too . . . too familiar to resist. "I . . . I didn't lie, Kyou-kun. I'm not a liar. . . I found it . . . and I knew it was mine . . . I didn't lie. . ."
Kyou pulled her in. Her warm tears hit his shoulders, dampening his uniform. He wrapped his strong arms around Tohru's weak shoulders, feeling her body collapse heavily with his. She managed to encircle her arms around Kyou's chest before burying herself completely into his shoulders. She started to cry as a loud *pung* engulfed the room, leaving Tohru clutching on to an orange cat. Kyou let Tohru cry her heart out. She was going through so much pain . . . if only he could take a piece of it with him. "Tohru . . ."
"Kyou-kun . . . don't leave . . . don't leave me. . ." Tohru gasped, barely audible but still enunciated with excruciating loneliness.
Kyou placed his paw on Tohru's shoulders, as she stroked his fur tenderly, lovingly. When Tohru stopped crying, he stared into her luring eyes, messaging to him, begging. He wanted to see her smile. He wanted to see her laugh. "Oi. . . Don't cry."
Tohru giggled. He was so soothing. His harsh, brash personality was a lie. Inside, he had a heart made of pure gold. "Silly kitty."
She placed Kyou down onto the floor. He continued to stare. Those eyes reminded him of somewhere, that he knew Tohru could relax. He coaxed, for the first time in many years. "Tohru . . ." he said, a smile lighting his face, "Let's go to the ocean."
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R&R! ^.^