Hmmm.....self insertion? Heaven's no! I'm way meaner than Dusty. Haven't been in love either. Anyway! Thanks for the reviews and you'll have to forgive me for neglecting my other characters. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.
Easily Amused: A Toast To Everyone's Prince
I awoke with a huge Charlie Horse and a hungry stomach. It was almost too early to tell if anyone was even awake and I thought that maybe if I was quiet enough, I could find a morning snack in the refrigerator that would prove to be more tasteful than octopus. My hair was once again falling over my shoulders and I cursed at my stupid locks for coming undone from their clips. I poked my shaggy head out into the hallway, noticing Shigure was sprawled out in his chair and sleeping like a spoiled baby. I rolled my eyes, wondering why I was so nice, and placed my bedroom blanket over him. Now I felt better about myself.
I silently tiptoed into the kitchen, attacking the ice box when it came into view. Gluttony is a big sin. A BIG sin. But I have every right in the world. I've eaten maybe twice in my entire three days of being here. I would rather be a plump turkey than a starving dog. Wait, I take that back. We eat turkeys. I shuffled through what I guessed to be noodles and emptied them into my mouth. That would satisfy me for now. I poured myself a glass of water and turned to meet the gorgeous violet eyes from yesterday. Had he seen me make a pig of myself? A smile teased at the corner of his lips. I would have to play this one by ear.
"The noodles were in there just rotting away. There are starving children in some country I can't pronounce."
"So why not send the noodles to the children?"
"Because i'm not in a country I can't pronounce."
"Follow me." I gulped down the remainder of my water and made a mental note to wash my glass when I got back from my field trip with Yuki. We paused in front of a phone. They have a phone?! "I thought you'd want to get in touch with your family. I can only imagine how lonely you are by now." I was shocked.
"But Shigure's phone bill...." Yuki shrugged before picking up the receiver.
"He should've thought about that before he brought an American home."
RRRIIINNNGGGG!
"Hello? Momma?" I felt like a lost little child that had been kidnapped and finally being able to call her to let her mother know that she was safe and alright. I kept my voice low, in fear that I would wake up the entire household with my blubbering. Yuki kept watch at the entrance to the room. There was a gasp on the other end and I could only guess that she was beginning to cry. Don't cry Momma...
"Dusty? Babygirl?" Usually, I would cringe at the childhood name but now I smiled when I heard it. I missed being loved like that.
"Hi Momma!!"
"WHERE IN THE MOTHER OF PEARL HAVE YOU BEEN?!" I pulled the phone away from my ear. So much for a happy reunion.
"Um...well...it's a funny story really."
"Really now? Why don't you tell me this 'funny story' and i'll just see how hilarious it is." Now I winced. This phone call had gone from sappy and sweet to humiliating and anger filled. And there was nothing worse than an angry Cajun artist.
"Well.....I got lost."
"WHAT? Why didn't find the police? Or better yet, find a pay phone?" So Japan DID have a police force. Well what do ya know?
"I didn't know where a police station was! And Kimmi had all the change!" That was the entire truth too!
"You could've tried asking someone for directions to the hotel. How'd you get lost in the first place?" I gripped the plastic phone in a tighter hold.
"I tried that Momma! Plus, I forgot the name of the hotel. And it wasn't exactly my fault!"
"How'd ya get lost Dusty....." I knew that tone. That was the 'don't you dare lie to me at this point young lady because an ocean won't keep me from bustin' the side of your head' tone.
"A crowd got between me and the gals." That was somewhat truthful. What?! I can't tell my mother that a sex shop was what got me lost! She still thinks that I think the stork brings babies to the parents. I learned from Cinemax just how babies were made at a very young age. We don't need to go into details people.
"Dusty....what am I going to do with you? So where are you?"
"Well...another funny part of the story. I'm stayin with this family in Japan."
"WHAT?! Dusty!!!"
"Mom! Chill out!!!"
"Don't you tell me to chill out! My baby is staying with strangers in a country that she's never been to!"
"I know, I know. It doesn't sound too great right now, but they've been real good to me. Bought me clothes...fed me...the guy who owns the house even took me to a doctor to get my wrist checked out."
"Clothed you....fed you....and failed to take you to the proper authorities! And what's this about your wrist?!" I was growing agitated. I understood her worry but I couldn't help but feel like I was under the interrogation light. I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Well....almost.
"My wrist is fine Momma. And they didn't take me anywhere cause I agreed to help them out."
"What do you mean?"
"Well they're in a bit of a bind and I agreed to help them. Don't worry Momma, it's nothin' illegal. In fact, you can help too, Momma. You can start by giving me the name of my hotel and then telling me what kind of family history we have." I heard a sigh and prayed every prayer in the book that she wasn't twirling her hair around, debating whether to get the government and the entire U.S. Army involved. "Momma..please..."
"I don't know what kind of mess you're in Dusty.....promise me you're alright."
"Of course i'm alright."
"Hotel Americana." Whoa, where did I get Sakura Hotel from? Well....they almost sounded alike. Not quite but there was a ....alright they sounded nothing alike.
"And the family history?"
"Dusty......you know I could care less about that stuff. Your Nana could probably help you but..."
"Alright Momma! Love ya lots! Call ya later from the hotel!! Bye!" And that was the end of the conversation. Sure, I failed to mention that I had fallen head over heels for a 27 year old writer and that I couldn't bring home because he turns into a dog everytime he's hugged by the opposite sex. You could risk alot that way. For instance my mom's sanity, my stepfather's sanity, my little sister's innocence, and let's not forget Beaker, my miniature Shar-pei. She has yet to breed and seeing Shigure in dog form may send her in a mad hunt for wild dog sex. And then i'd be jeopardizing Shigure's manhood. Of course now that I think about it....
I see Yuki staring at me and I quickly dismiss any thoughts of such an act. Although it would be quite funny. Yuki walked up to me and it was then that I noticed the tiny cut above his head. I reached up to touch it, not even thinking about putting two and two together. All I knew was that it needed some antiseptic, otherwise he would risk infection. He jerked away from my touch and I for a moment I thought I had seriously hurt him. Maybe the cut was deeper than I had first perceived.
"You need to put something on that."
"It's fine."
"Just show me where the first aid kit is." Yuki grudgingly accepted my nursing skills and escorted me to to a first aid kit that had seemed to be growing a coat of dust. I quickly wiped off the grime and set to work on his head injury. Nothing too bad, I just needed an alcohol pad and a band aid. "By any chance, do you know where the Hotel Americana is?" He nodded, wincing when I applied pressure to the cut.
"I can take you there on my way to school." I crinkled the paper into a small wad and searched for a trashcan.
"Are you sure it won't be a problem?"
"Of course n-"
"Don't worry about it, Yuki. I'll take her." I had to blow a chunk of chesnut hair out of my face in order to see Shigure's full form. Dammit. Yuki was more than welcome to take me to the hotel. At least HE didn't put the moves on me the night before and then ask forgiveness!!
"It wouldn't be a problem, Shigure." I folded my arms over my chest defensively.
"See, he said it wouldn't be a problem."
"I can take you myself."
"I really don't want to BURDEN you." Ooh. Nice one Dusty. Now he'll be BEGGING to come back to you...only not. Yuki made several glances between me and Shigure before excusing himself to head out to school. Great. Now I was alone with him. We all saw what happens when we're alone. I have a tear jerking moment and he makes it all better with a kiss. A long sigh passes through Shigure's lips and half of me wondered if I was being too hard on him.
"Just get dressed and meet me out front." I gritted my teeth. Or perhaps I wasn't being hard ENOUGH!!!
I took my sweet time in getting ready. I would have easily rushed if Yuki had been the one taking me to Hotel Americana out of the kindness of his heart. But oh no. For some strange reason, Fate got a huge kick out of torturing me with the writer. We walked in silence for a good block before Shigure spoke up.
"Look, Dusty.....about last night." I silenced him with the flip of my good wrist.
"Nuff' said. I am perfectly aware of the pity practice you took upon me. Remind me never to open up to you again."
"What?! That is NOT what I had intended!" I sped up my pace, trying to get away from the fact that he was right. He had listened to me that night and then kissed me. I couldn't sense no pity. I peered up at the tall red building, thankful for the hotel and its generous mint on the pillow service.
"Oh look, we're here."
"I'll wait outside for you."
"What makes you think i'll come back?" I gave him a quick glare before heading in. I'll admit, the last remark even made MY blood blister and I wasn't even the one who deserved it. A little part,and I mean MICROSCOPIC, of me hoped he would still be out here. I had remembered everything about the hotel, from my room number to which elevator to take in order to get there. So why couldn't I remember the stupid name?! I stopped before my hotel door, suddenly feeling very nervous. I had made no effort to get into contact with my friends because I had let hormones get in the way of straight thinking. Maybe when I get back to the States, I should create a self help program for teenagers with hormone problems. I gave a soft knock and hoped and prayed that they wouldn't be pissed. Becky answered the door with a tear stained face. The tears were quickly replaced with a wide grin.
"Dusty!!!" She hugged me tightly, which, I would give her that much. I must've had them worried. She let go of me, delivering a swift slap to my left cheek. Okay, now THAT i'd have to reconsider. I'd let it pass for the time being. "Where the hell have you been?! We're were worried sick about you!"
"Glad to see you too..." I rubbed at my stinging cheek, a little hurt that my best friend would throw such a slap at me. Frankie and Kimmi were quickly by Becky's side, embracing me as Becky had, only without the slap.
An hour later, after I had explained what had happened after I had lost them, why I had gotten lost, whom I had been staying with, and why I hadn't come into contact with them, I sat on my bed rubbing the sides of my head in stress. Becky sat across from me as Frankie contacted Becky's mother and my father, who had taken it upon himself to call out of worry which is unusual in the act itself. She was staring at her black clad nails intently, focusing mainly on her cuticles.
"So he kissed you huh?" I nodded, shielding my eyes from the lamp by the bed. It felt so good to lay on a bed three feet from the ground.
"Yep." Of course, I had left out the fact that I could never hug Shigure or even sleep with him for that matter. I don't know about everyone else's friends but I think mine would be a tad freaked if I told them that the guy I kissed would turn into an animal from the placemats we will from the Chinese resturaunt across from the highschool. And did I mention the animal isn't even our year? Oh, yeah....they'd love that. I stood and beside the large window and noticed that Shigure was still standing in spot I had left him at. Granted, he was leaning against the wall and smoking a cigarette, but he was still there nonetheless. I gasped and pressed my forhead to the glass. He was actually waiting for me?!
"Is that him?" I nodded once more.
"He's cute." Silence. "Look, I didn't mean to slap you. You just had us freaked, ya know? I was scared, really scared. I didn't know where you were when we went back to look for you. And then I could hardly understand the police..." She was crying again. I was still cold towards her, though. I wasn't mad at her. I just felt bad because I couldn't tell my best friend the true reason why I was going to have to go back after awhile.
"Becky....they need my help. I don't know why but I feel like I need to help." She squinted at me, her chocolate orbs trying to figure out the meaning behind my statement.
"I know. I figured that much. But why is it so important?"
"Beck....look....they had a picture of me in their family history. Somehow, my blood is involved. I just don't know how yet. I won't spend the night over there. But I got to help em." She smiled sadly at me. I think she had hoped that this vacation would spent as a friend thing and not a Dusty solving an ancient mystery type of thing. I don't plan these crusades! I don't watch hours of Indiana Jones, UNLESS it's on cable, and say to myself 'Hey! I'm going to go traveling to an exotic location and hunt down a golden monkey head just to be betrayed by my guide, have daggers shot at me, be chased by the Aztec or whatever tribe it was version of the world's biggest bowling ball AND a group of natives controlled by some old enemy of mine, and then top it off by finding a snake climbing up my body in the plane.' Not that I have a problem with snakes, but geez! The Sohma family curse just fell in my lap. I couldn't just leave without the least bit of curiosity about my ancestor's picture. And let's not forget about the weird sickly dude in the room all by his lonesome self. There was something more going on and I would be damned if I didn't get answers!
"I understand. I don't know the details, but perhaps it's better this way. Just promise you won't scare us like that again, okay?"
"Deal." She sat back on the bed, quietly listening to Frankie's voice in the room beside ours.
"Is it really that weird?" I leaned upon the glass and shoved my hands in my pockets.
"You have no idea."
I hastily walked through the lobby, almost tripping inside the revolving door. My heart sank as I made it outside. He was gone. I had just seen him and now he was gone. I brushed a strand of hair out of my face hoping that my hair was the only thing concealing his presence. I scanned the area, trying to sense a hint of nicotine or cheap cologne or SOMETHING.
"Looking for something?" I probably jumped a good five feet in the air before turning around. He hadn't left, just moved to talk to a bellhop. I advanced towards him, keeping my head down. If I looked at him now, my hormone problem would jump out again and I made a deal that I wouldn't do that to Becky.
"I'm going to do a little research tonight and see what I can dig up on that picture." He nodded and took a drag of his cigarette. Lucky for him....I had taken my allergy pill.
"So then you're staying here tonight?" I ran a nervous hand through my henna colored hair.
"Yeah....you know, it's only fair. I've worried them to death."
"Oh yeah....I know that you .."
"It's not because.."
"Of course n-"
"Cause, I mean that would be sil-"
"Right." It felt like I was breaking it off with a guy than hadn't made anything offcial. But it still hurt. Sure, i'd still see him until I left, but it was different from him sleeping right across from me. "I'll send Yuki over for you then tomorrow."
"Alright then." We said our goodbyes and he was off. The sick feeling was there again, and this time, I didn't have Yuki around to fix me a cup of tea. A flash of red caught my eye from across the street and before I knew it, my feet were struggling to keep up with him. There was no doubt in my mind who had been spying on me. Damn Kyou......
Becky gazed down and found herself in shock as she watched her best friend run after some guy. She was at it again! What did they have to do, put a leash on the girl just so she woudln't go running after every guy she laid eyes on?!
"Guys! She's at it again!!" All three girls rushed downstairs in hopes of retrieving their friend.
I caught up to him in less time than I had expected. Now i'm partially glad I had shown up for gym more than half the time. I skidded to halt before Kyou, slamming him into a wall with my elbow. He wasn't going to get out of this that easily. He quickly shook my assault off and braced himself for his own attack. He laid out a single kick to the back of my knee. What was he hoping to achieve there? I always lock my knees up and once they're locked, they're like steel. Hard, unbreakable steel, baby. I was a little insulted that he would try such a thing. I once again delivered a single blow to keep him steady.
"Why the hell were you watching me and Shigure?!"
"To make sure."
"Of what?"
"I don't have to answer to you!" This was getting really old, really fast. Meredith wasn't even this stubborn and she was two! I quirked my eyebrow and planted a hand on my hip. Time to bring out Ms. Attitude. Not that she was ever put away in the first place, but still.
"What? Did you think we were planning on taking your precious Tohru away from you?!" He lowered his eyes in shame. He really did think that! Why that little paranoid freak! My eyes turned into angry thin slits.
"Do you love her?"
"Huh?"
"Wanna hold her?"
"Yeah..."
"Squeeze her?"
"What?!"
"Never leave her?"
"Well yes..."
"Then ya got, to got, to got to try a little tenderness!!" Perhaps I went a bit overboard but I think he got my point. I let him go just as Becky rounded the corner, her dark eyeliner running from her heated overload. And for a moment there, I thought they didn't care....
"Allo oui?" Damn. I caught Pops instead of Nana. I had called three times earlier, wanting to reach Nana before her scuba practice in the swamps. Don't ask, for even I do not question Nana's motives.
"Bonjour Pops!" I loved my Pops. He was a cool guy. However, I can't help but compare him to the chef on the Muppets. You just can't quite understand him. That's Pops. You love him even though you don't understand what he's saying three quarters of the time. Even now, in his long string of French-English-Jibberish, all I can get out of his mouth are the words popcorn and buck...at least I hope he said buck. "Yeah, um Pops? Is Nana there?" I heard some shuffling which I guessed was Pops trying to get out of his overstuffed recliner. I swear, that man would rather be buried with his recliner than anything worth monetary value.
"Yes?"
"Nana!"
"Dusty!! How're ya doin' girl? Yer ma had a real scare wit yer disappearance n' all." I twirled the phone cord around my index finger. Nana was not one for lectures. Please Lord, do not let her have a change of heart.
"Yes, I know, Nana. Hey, by any chance, do you have a family history book?"
"Well you know I do Button. Lemme go fetch it fer ya!" And yet another childhood name that ceases to haunt me. I waited for a few moments for her return. "Okay! Here it is! What ya need fer me to look up?"
"Um...I don't exactly know her name. But she looks just like me and has some tie to Japan and a family by the name of Sohma." I could hear the flipping of pages and a curse word here and there. At least I know where I get my mouth now.
"Well, the only one that resembles you darlin would be Sabrina LaFayette. Doll, the alikeness is uncanny!"
"That's what I said! What's the story with her, Nana?" I few more mutterings.
"Well, it says 'ere that she traveled to Japan often and became aquainted with Mus..i..o...ko Sohma and his cousin, Ta..ki..yomo Sohma. A couple of highclass gents, ya know? Anyway, supposedly her handmaiden dealt in the arts of voodoo." I crunched down on an apple while yanking a pencil from the bunch that was keeping my hair up. I quickly scratched down the information my grandmother was spewing.
"Keep goin' Nana."
"Well, the two men fell in love with her, as did she with them. But Sabrina was a kind soul, she was. And didn't like the fact that she was splitting a family apart. She couldn't be greedy and love both but she couldn't decide neither. The catch though, was that neither man told her how they felt. So one day, she got tired of all the fighting, and she and her handmaiden placed a curse upon the entire family. The rest is in French, dear. And i'm afraid I don't deal in that."
"Well ask Pops!"
"I can't right now kiddo! I gotta jet! It's my turn to drive the gals to scuba class."
"Nana!"
"Give me a ring tomorrow! Love ya bunches!! Kiss kiss!!" Click. I groaned in agrivation. I had so many questions and no answers. Like, for instance, why the Chinese zodiac? And why when they embrace? And was it JUST because of the cousins? Becky was reading some vampire novel beside me, getting giddy when the dark handsome bloodsucker would make an appearance. She did the same thing when Brad Pitt came on the screen the first time in 'Interview With The Vampire'. She gracefully pulled herself away from the book and stared at me.
"Any progress?" I went to collapse on the bed before Becky pushed me on my side,pointing at the tiny pile onmy head. "Dusty!! Pencils!!"
Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket.
Easily Amused: A Toast To Everyone's Prince
I awoke with a huge Charlie Horse and a hungry stomach. It was almost too early to tell if anyone was even awake and I thought that maybe if I was quiet enough, I could find a morning snack in the refrigerator that would prove to be more tasteful than octopus. My hair was once again falling over my shoulders and I cursed at my stupid locks for coming undone from their clips. I poked my shaggy head out into the hallway, noticing Shigure was sprawled out in his chair and sleeping like a spoiled baby. I rolled my eyes, wondering why I was so nice, and placed my bedroom blanket over him. Now I felt better about myself.
I silently tiptoed into the kitchen, attacking the ice box when it came into view. Gluttony is a big sin. A BIG sin. But I have every right in the world. I've eaten maybe twice in my entire three days of being here. I would rather be a plump turkey than a starving dog. Wait, I take that back. We eat turkeys. I shuffled through what I guessed to be noodles and emptied them into my mouth. That would satisfy me for now. I poured myself a glass of water and turned to meet the gorgeous violet eyes from yesterday. Had he seen me make a pig of myself? A smile teased at the corner of his lips. I would have to play this one by ear.
"The noodles were in there just rotting away. There are starving children in some country I can't pronounce."
"So why not send the noodles to the children?"
"Because i'm not in a country I can't pronounce."
"Follow me." I gulped down the remainder of my water and made a mental note to wash my glass when I got back from my field trip with Yuki. We paused in front of a phone. They have a phone?! "I thought you'd want to get in touch with your family. I can only imagine how lonely you are by now." I was shocked.
"But Shigure's phone bill...." Yuki shrugged before picking up the receiver.
"He should've thought about that before he brought an American home."
RRRIIINNNGGGG!
"Hello? Momma?" I felt like a lost little child that had been kidnapped and finally being able to call her to let her mother know that she was safe and alright. I kept my voice low, in fear that I would wake up the entire household with my blubbering. Yuki kept watch at the entrance to the room. There was a gasp on the other end and I could only guess that she was beginning to cry. Don't cry Momma...
"Dusty? Babygirl?" Usually, I would cringe at the childhood name but now I smiled when I heard it. I missed being loved like that.
"Hi Momma!!"
"WHERE IN THE MOTHER OF PEARL HAVE YOU BEEN?!" I pulled the phone away from my ear. So much for a happy reunion.
"Um...well...it's a funny story really."
"Really now? Why don't you tell me this 'funny story' and i'll just see how hilarious it is." Now I winced. This phone call had gone from sappy and sweet to humiliating and anger filled. And there was nothing worse than an angry Cajun artist.
"Well.....I got lost."
"WHAT? Why didn't find the police? Or better yet, find a pay phone?" So Japan DID have a police force. Well what do ya know?
"I didn't know where a police station was! And Kimmi had all the change!" That was the entire truth too!
"You could've tried asking someone for directions to the hotel. How'd you get lost in the first place?" I gripped the plastic phone in a tighter hold.
"I tried that Momma! Plus, I forgot the name of the hotel. And it wasn't exactly my fault!"
"How'd ya get lost Dusty....." I knew that tone. That was the 'don't you dare lie to me at this point young lady because an ocean won't keep me from bustin' the side of your head' tone.
"A crowd got between me and the gals." That was somewhat truthful. What?! I can't tell my mother that a sex shop was what got me lost! She still thinks that I think the stork brings babies to the parents. I learned from Cinemax just how babies were made at a very young age. We don't need to go into details people.
"Dusty....what am I going to do with you? So where are you?"
"Well...another funny part of the story. I'm stayin with this family in Japan."
"WHAT?! Dusty!!!"
"Mom! Chill out!!!"
"Don't you tell me to chill out! My baby is staying with strangers in a country that she's never been to!"
"I know, I know. It doesn't sound too great right now, but they've been real good to me. Bought me clothes...fed me...the guy who owns the house even took me to a doctor to get my wrist checked out."
"Clothed you....fed you....and failed to take you to the proper authorities! And what's this about your wrist?!" I was growing agitated. I understood her worry but I couldn't help but feel like I was under the interrogation light. I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Well....almost.
"My wrist is fine Momma. And they didn't take me anywhere cause I agreed to help them out."
"What do you mean?"
"Well they're in a bit of a bind and I agreed to help them. Don't worry Momma, it's nothin' illegal. In fact, you can help too, Momma. You can start by giving me the name of my hotel and then telling me what kind of family history we have." I heard a sigh and prayed every prayer in the book that she wasn't twirling her hair around, debating whether to get the government and the entire U.S. Army involved. "Momma..please..."
"I don't know what kind of mess you're in Dusty.....promise me you're alright."
"Of course i'm alright."
"Hotel Americana." Whoa, where did I get Sakura Hotel from? Well....they almost sounded alike. Not quite but there was a ....alright they sounded nothing alike.
"And the family history?"
"Dusty......you know I could care less about that stuff. Your Nana could probably help you but..."
"Alright Momma! Love ya lots! Call ya later from the hotel!! Bye!" And that was the end of the conversation. Sure, I failed to mention that I had fallen head over heels for a 27 year old writer and that I couldn't bring home because he turns into a dog everytime he's hugged by the opposite sex. You could risk alot that way. For instance my mom's sanity, my stepfather's sanity, my little sister's innocence, and let's not forget Beaker, my miniature Shar-pei. She has yet to breed and seeing Shigure in dog form may send her in a mad hunt for wild dog sex. And then i'd be jeopardizing Shigure's manhood. Of course now that I think about it....
I see Yuki staring at me and I quickly dismiss any thoughts of such an act. Although it would be quite funny. Yuki walked up to me and it was then that I noticed the tiny cut above his head. I reached up to touch it, not even thinking about putting two and two together. All I knew was that it needed some antiseptic, otherwise he would risk infection. He jerked away from my touch and I for a moment I thought I had seriously hurt him. Maybe the cut was deeper than I had first perceived.
"You need to put something on that."
"It's fine."
"Just show me where the first aid kit is." Yuki grudgingly accepted my nursing skills and escorted me to to a first aid kit that had seemed to be growing a coat of dust. I quickly wiped off the grime and set to work on his head injury. Nothing too bad, I just needed an alcohol pad and a band aid. "By any chance, do you know where the Hotel Americana is?" He nodded, wincing when I applied pressure to the cut.
"I can take you there on my way to school." I crinkled the paper into a small wad and searched for a trashcan.
"Are you sure it won't be a problem?"
"Of course n-"
"Don't worry about it, Yuki. I'll take her." I had to blow a chunk of chesnut hair out of my face in order to see Shigure's full form. Dammit. Yuki was more than welcome to take me to the hotel. At least HE didn't put the moves on me the night before and then ask forgiveness!!
"It wouldn't be a problem, Shigure." I folded my arms over my chest defensively.
"See, he said it wouldn't be a problem."
"I can take you myself."
"I really don't want to BURDEN you." Ooh. Nice one Dusty. Now he'll be BEGGING to come back to you...only not. Yuki made several glances between me and Shigure before excusing himself to head out to school. Great. Now I was alone with him. We all saw what happens when we're alone. I have a tear jerking moment and he makes it all better with a kiss. A long sigh passes through Shigure's lips and half of me wondered if I was being too hard on him.
"Just get dressed and meet me out front." I gritted my teeth. Or perhaps I wasn't being hard ENOUGH!!!
I took my sweet time in getting ready. I would have easily rushed if Yuki had been the one taking me to Hotel Americana out of the kindness of his heart. But oh no. For some strange reason, Fate got a huge kick out of torturing me with the writer. We walked in silence for a good block before Shigure spoke up.
"Look, Dusty.....about last night." I silenced him with the flip of my good wrist.
"Nuff' said. I am perfectly aware of the pity practice you took upon me. Remind me never to open up to you again."
"What?! That is NOT what I had intended!" I sped up my pace, trying to get away from the fact that he was right. He had listened to me that night and then kissed me. I couldn't sense no pity. I peered up at the tall red building, thankful for the hotel and its generous mint on the pillow service.
"Oh look, we're here."
"I'll wait outside for you."
"What makes you think i'll come back?" I gave him a quick glare before heading in. I'll admit, the last remark even made MY blood blister and I wasn't even the one who deserved it. A little part,and I mean MICROSCOPIC, of me hoped he would still be out here. I had remembered everything about the hotel, from my room number to which elevator to take in order to get there. So why couldn't I remember the stupid name?! I stopped before my hotel door, suddenly feeling very nervous. I had made no effort to get into contact with my friends because I had let hormones get in the way of straight thinking. Maybe when I get back to the States, I should create a self help program for teenagers with hormone problems. I gave a soft knock and hoped and prayed that they wouldn't be pissed. Becky answered the door with a tear stained face. The tears were quickly replaced with a wide grin.
"Dusty!!!" She hugged me tightly, which, I would give her that much. I must've had them worried. She let go of me, delivering a swift slap to my left cheek. Okay, now THAT i'd have to reconsider. I'd let it pass for the time being. "Where the hell have you been?! We're were worried sick about you!"
"Glad to see you too..." I rubbed at my stinging cheek, a little hurt that my best friend would throw such a slap at me. Frankie and Kimmi were quickly by Becky's side, embracing me as Becky had, only without the slap.
An hour later, after I had explained what had happened after I had lost them, why I had gotten lost, whom I had been staying with, and why I hadn't come into contact with them, I sat on my bed rubbing the sides of my head in stress. Becky sat across from me as Frankie contacted Becky's mother and my father, who had taken it upon himself to call out of worry which is unusual in the act itself. She was staring at her black clad nails intently, focusing mainly on her cuticles.
"So he kissed you huh?" I nodded, shielding my eyes from the lamp by the bed. It felt so good to lay on a bed three feet from the ground.
"Yep." Of course, I had left out the fact that I could never hug Shigure or even sleep with him for that matter. I don't know about everyone else's friends but I think mine would be a tad freaked if I told them that the guy I kissed would turn into an animal from the placemats we will from the Chinese resturaunt across from the highschool. And did I mention the animal isn't even our year? Oh, yeah....they'd love that. I stood and beside the large window and noticed that Shigure was still standing in spot I had left him at. Granted, he was leaning against the wall and smoking a cigarette, but he was still there nonetheless. I gasped and pressed my forhead to the glass. He was actually waiting for me?!
"Is that him?" I nodded once more.
"He's cute." Silence. "Look, I didn't mean to slap you. You just had us freaked, ya know? I was scared, really scared. I didn't know where you were when we went back to look for you. And then I could hardly understand the police..." She was crying again. I was still cold towards her, though. I wasn't mad at her. I just felt bad because I couldn't tell my best friend the true reason why I was going to have to go back after awhile.
"Becky....they need my help. I don't know why but I feel like I need to help." She squinted at me, her chocolate orbs trying to figure out the meaning behind my statement.
"I know. I figured that much. But why is it so important?"
"Beck....look....they had a picture of me in their family history. Somehow, my blood is involved. I just don't know how yet. I won't spend the night over there. But I got to help em." She smiled sadly at me. I think she had hoped that this vacation would spent as a friend thing and not a Dusty solving an ancient mystery type of thing. I don't plan these crusades! I don't watch hours of Indiana Jones, UNLESS it's on cable, and say to myself 'Hey! I'm going to go traveling to an exotic location and hunt down a golden monkey head just to be betrayed by my guide, have daggers shot at me, be chased by the Aztec or whatever tribe it was version of the world's biggest bowling ball AND a group of natives controlled by some old enemy of mine, and then top it off by finding a snake climbing up my body in the plane.' Not that I have a problem with snakes, but geez! The Sohma family curse just fell in my lap. I couldn't just leave without the least bit of curiosity about my ancestor's picture. And let's not forget about the weird sickly dude in the room all by his lonesome self. There was something more going on and I would be damned if I didn't get answers!
"I understand. I don't know the details, but perhaps it's better this way. Just promise you won't scare us like that again, okay?"
"Deal." She sat back on the bed, quietly listening to Frankie's voice in the room beside ours.
"Is it really that weird?" I leaned upon the glass and shoved my hands in my pockets.
"You have no idea."
I hastily walked through the lobby, almost tripping inside the revolving door. My heart sank as I made it outside. He was gone. I had just seen him and now he was gone. I brushed a strand of hair out of my face hoping that my hair was the only thing concealing his presence. I scanned the area, trying to sense a hint of nicotine or cheap cologne or SOMETHING.
"Looking for something?" I probably jumped a good five feet in the air before turning around. He hadn't left, just moved to talk to a bellhop. I advanced towards him, keeping my head down. If I looked at him now, my hormone problem would jump out again and I made a deal that I wouldn't do that to Becky.
"I'm going to do a little research tonight and see what I can dig up on that picture." He nodded and took a drag of his cigarette. Lucky for him....I had taken my allergy pill.
"So then you're staying here tonight?" I ran a nervous hand through my henna colored hair.
"Yeah....you know, it's only fair. I've worried them to death."
"Oh yeah....I know that you .."
"It's not because.."
"Of course n-"
"Cause, I mean that would be sil-"
"Right." It felt like I was breaking it off with a guy than hadn't made anything offcial. But it still hurt. Sure, i'd still see him until I left, but it was different from him sleeping right across from me. "I'll send Yuki over for you then tomorrow."
"Alright then." We said our goodbyes and he was off. The sick feeling was there again, and this time, I didn't have Yuki around to fix me a cup of tea. A flash of red caught my eye from across the street and before I knew it, my feet were struggling to keep up with him. There was no doubt in my mind who had been spying on me. Damn Kyou......
Becky gazed down and found herself in shock as she watched her best friend run after some guy. She was at it again! What did they have to do, put a leash on the girl just so she woudln't go running after every guy she laid eyes on?!
"Guys! She's at it again!!" All three girls rushed downstairs in hopes of retrieving their friend.
I caught up to him in less time than I had expected. Now i'm partially glad I had shown up for gym more than half the time. I skidded to halt before Kyou, slamming him into a wall with my elbow. He wasn't going to get out of this that easily. He quickly shook my assault off and braced himself for his own attack. He laid out a single kick to the back of my knee. What was he hoping to achieve there? I always lock my knees up and once they're locked, they're like steel. Hard, unbreakable steel, baby. I was a little insulted that he would try such a thing. I once again delivered a single blow to keep him steady.
"Why the hell were you watching me and Shigure?!"
"To make sure."
"Of what?"
"I don't have to answer to you!" This was getting really old, really fast. Meredith wasn't even this stubborn and she was two! I quirked my eyebrow and planted a hand on my hip. Time to bring out Ms. Attitude. Not that she was ever put away in the first place, but still.
"What? Did you think we were planning on taking your precious Tohru away from you?!" He lowered his eyes in shame. He really did think that! Why that little paranoid freak! My eyes turned into angry thin slits.
"Do you love her?"
"Huh?"
"Wanna hold her?"
"Yeah..."
"Squeeze her?"
"What?!"
"Never leave her?"
"Well yes..."
"Then ya got, to got, to got to try a little tenderness!!" Perhaps I went a bit overboard but I think he got my point. I let him go just as Becky rounded the corner, her dark eyeliner running from her heated overload. And for a moment there, I thought they didn't care....
"Allo oui?" Damn. I caught Pops instead of Nana. I had called three times earlier, wanting to reach Nana before her scuba practice in the swamps. Don't ask, for even I do not question Nana's motives.
"Bonjour Pops!" I loved my Pops. He was a cool guy. However, I can't help but compare him to the chef on the Muppets. You just can't quite understand him. That's Pops. You love him even though you don't understand what he's saying three quarters of the time. Even now, in his long string of French-English-Jibberish, all I can get out of his mouth are the words popcorn and buck...at least I hope he said buck. "Yeah, um Pops? Is Nana there?" I heard some shuffling which I guessed was Pops trying to get out of his overstuffed recliner. I swear, that man would rather be buried with his recliner than anything worth monetary value.
"Yes?"
"Nana!"
"Dusty!! How're ya doin' girl? Yer ma had a real scare wit yer disappearance n' all." I twirled the phone cord around my index finger. Nana was not one for lectures. Please Lord, do not let her have a change of heart.
"Yes, I know, Nana. Hey, by any chance, do you have a family history book?"
"Well you know I do Button. Lemme go fetch it fer ya!" And yet another childhood name that ceases to haunt me. I waited for a few moments for her return. "Okay! Here it is! What ya need fer me to look up?"
"Um...I don't exactly know her name. But she looks just like me and has some tie to Japan and a family by the name of Sohma." I could hear the flipping of pages and a curse word here and there. At least I know where I get my mouth now.
"Well, the only one that resembles you darlin would be Sabrina LaFayette. Doll, the alikeness is uncanny!"
"That's what I said! What's the story with her, Nana?" I few more mutterings.
"Well, it says 'ere that she traveled to Japan often and became aquainted with Mus..i..o...ko Sohma and his cousin, Ta..ki..yomo Sohma. A couple of highclass gents, ya know? Anyway, supposedly her handmaiden dealt in the arts of voodoo." I crunched down on an apple while yanking a pencil from the bunch that was keeping my hair up. I quickly scratched down the information my grandmother was spewing.
"Keep goin' Nana."
"Well, the two men fell in love with her, as did she with them. But Sabrina was a kind soul, she was. And didn't like the fact that she was splitting a family apart. She couldn't be greedy and love both but she couldn't decide neither. The catch though, was that neither man told her how they felt. So one day, she got tired of all the fighting, and she and her handmaiden placed a curse upon the entire family. The rest is in French, dear. And i'm afraid I don't deal in that."
"Well ask Pops!"
"I can't right now kiddo! I gotta jet! It's my turn to drive the gals to scuba class."
"Nana!"
"Give me a ring tomorrow! Love ya bunches!! Kiss kiss!!" Click. I groaned in agrivation. I had so many questions and no answers. Like, for instance, why the Chinese zodiac? And why when they embrace? And was it JUST because of the cousins? Becky was reading some vampire novel beside me, getting giddy when the dark handsome bloodsucker would make an appearance. She did the same thing when Brad Pitt came on the screen the first time in 'Interview With The Vampire'. She gracefully pulled herself away from the book and stared at me.
"Any progress?" I went to collapse on the bed before Becky pushed me on my side,pointing at the tiny pile onmy head. "Dusty!! Pencils!!"