[[Disclaimer: I don't own Fruits Basket… so don't sue me.]]
A/N: As I am sure you all kind of noticed the style of my writing changes from time to time… really it all depends on what kind of a mood I am in. Sorry if that bothers you… I can't help it. There are a few of my comments in () I don't know why I put them there, though a couple are relevant and it doesn't take anything from the story so I guess it's okay. Well I'll talk to you all after the chapter… onto the story.
Chapter 5: Between Myself and My Reflection
"Hurry up you stupid cat, you're going to make us late." Yuki paused in front of Kyou's door on his way downstairs.
"How the hell can we be late if we're being picked up you damn rat." Kyou shot back as he tugged the black shirt over his head. Isabella had called last night and told Shigure that she would be coming to pick them up around noon. Something about, that way, he did not have to bother Hatori for a ride.
"Quite easily if you are left to your own devices." Yuki retorted, as he continued walking, never bothering to listen to Kyou's muttered curses aimed at him.
Not even bothering to look in the mirror, Kyou stomped out the door and followed Yuki. Intent on making sure that the rat had heard what he said. "Listen up, I'm tired of your holier than thou attitude and I'm going to put you in your place right here!" The cat exclaimed as he jumped down the last few stairs landing next to a rather bored looking Yuki.
"In you're dreams maybe." Yuki glanced around the room in a show of tedium.
"Oh that's it-"
"Oh good morning Kyou." Came Tohru's pleasant voice from the kitchen. The orange haired boy stopped what he was doing and turned in her direction with a scowl on his face.
"Whatever." He replied stalking towards the front door. Tohru will only get upset if I fight with that damn Yuki… and she's had enough stress for a little while.
"Kyou?" The riceball sounded concerned enough that Kyou turned back to her. "Is everything okay? I.. I mean.. it's just that… well you weren't around for breakfast this morning and well… I… you know… I was just a little worried." She looked at her feet. Kyou sighed, why does she always do this… it's never her fault. She worries about everyone else way too much.
"Look, don't worry about it okay… nothing is wrong… I just woke up a little earlier than usual and decided to go for a run… okay." He forced a small smile.
"Oh… well okay then." Tohru beamed at him, as if all had suddenly been forgotten… and Kyou found that he didn't have to force the smile quite so much.
Yuki shot Kyou a glare and walked over to Tohru taking her hand, whole heartedly intending to make the Cat jealous. Yuki was well aware of Kyou's obvious affection for Tohru, something which, might I add, made him more furious than anything the Cat could do intentionally. After all, Tohru had never actually voiced weather she liked Kyou or not… nor had she done so for him, so the Cat was his only real competition. Competition, that was one thing that the pair was very familiar with, and if Yuki was going to loose something to his arch rival… Tohru was NOT going to be it. The violet eyed boy opened his mouth to say something condescending and cruel to the cat (as he always does), but he stopped at the sound of a car horn going off outside the house.
"Oh... that must be our sweet little Isa, come to pick us up." Shigure exclaimed as he appeared at the door of his room. "Let's not keep her waiting children." He said in a high pitched voice as he skipped (yes skipped) towards the door.
"Pervert." The boys muttered in unison; and Tohru sweat dropped.
Shigure was the first out the door but the other three followed quickly, their jaws dropping as they saw the picture outside. Isabella Sohma was grinning and waving from the driver's seat of a black convertible. Her hair had been done up in small braids and her crimson lips matched the color of her usual trench coat. She gazed over a pair of small black sunglasses at the group, as everyone else wondered why you would want to drive a convertible in this kind of cold weather. But Isa didn't seem the least bit bothered. The second thing the high school trio noticed was the unusually small back seat.
"How the hell do you expect us all to fit in there?" Kyou yelled crossing his arms.
"Oh don't worry sugar I'm sure you'll all manage somehow," Isa added with a wink.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean!!!" Kyou growled back as he took a step towards the car. Isabella just laughed, and was soon joined by Shigure… who obviously got the joke made at the poor cat's expense.
Walking over to the car Shigure opened the door and pulled forward the seat, helping Tohru inside. Yuki followed after her and Kyou, silently refusing to sit next to Yuki, walked over to the other side and hopped over it. He slid in on Tohru's other side… and, shooting Yuki a rather harsh grin, stretched out his arm over the back of the car and behind Tohru. The Riceball however, seemed pleasantly happy to be in-between the two boys… in of course the most innocent of ways (we can't expect to much from our dear Tohru). Raising an eyebrow and giggling at the childishness of the boys, Shigure climb into the car last and started out their adventure by leaning over and whispering into Isabella's ear. No one had heard what he said, but what ever it was made Isa laugh to near tears and, while still laughing, she restarted the car and pulled out.
"What do you think you are trying to do you stupid cat?" Yuki glanced over at Kyou.
Still grinning like the Cheshire (you know the cat from Alice in Wonderland) Kyou shrugged with his free arm. "I don't know what you're talking about, rat-boy." It was obvious that Kyou knew exactly what Yuki was talking about, well obvious to everyone but Tohru.
"As soon as we get out of this car I think you and I need to have a small discussion." Yuki added mildly, attempting to seem as "harmless" as possible for the riceball's sake.
"You mean the small discussion where I kick your ass."
"Oh like I haven't heard that one before." Yuki rolled his eyes.
"That's it! You're dead! I'm gonna-" Kyou was drowned out as Isa turned on the radio, flashed him a wicked grin of her own, and stuck out her tongue. The heavy drum beat filled the car, and that was how they spent most of the rest of the ride; listening to Isa's rather twisted opinion of music and attempting to deal with her rather dangerous opinion of driving.
[[Disclaimer: First off, if you are offended easily, don't read the following lyrics. Secondly, I absolutely love this song. And if you are not offended easily, you may like it too. Go download it RCV 22:20, by Pucifer… it will give you a MUCH better idea of what kind of girl Isa is.]]
Don't be aroused
By my confession
Unless you don't give a good goddamn about redemption
I know
Christ is coming
And so am I
You would too if the sexy devil caught your eye
She'll suck you dry
Soon you'll cry
To be back in her bosom
To do it again
She'll make you weep
And moan and cry
To be back in her bosom
To do it again
Pray – shall I go blind?
Pray – cause nobody ever survives
Praying to stay in your arms
Just until I can die a little longer
Saviors and saints
Devils and demons alike
She'll eat you alive
Jesus is risen
It's no surprise
Even he would
Martyr his momma
To ride to hell between those
thighs
The pressure is building
At the base of my spine
If I gotta sin to see her again
Then I'm gonna lie and lie and lie
She'll make you cry
I'll sell my soul
To be back in your bosom
And gladly help
Please suck me dry
And still you'll cry
To be back in her bosom
Do it again
Pray – shall I go blind?
Pray – cause nobody ever survives
Praying to stay in your arms
Just until I can die a little longer
Saviors and saints
Devils and demons alike
She'll eat you alive
My pulse has been rising
My temples are burning
The pressure is so overwhelming and building
So steady and heavy
I'm ready to blow
What is she what is she what is she waiting for?
Pray – shall I go blind?
Pray – cause nobody ever survives
Praying to stay in your arms
Just until I can die a little longer
Saviors and saints
Devils and demons alike
She'll eat you alive
Eventually Isa turned down the music enough that the others could hear themselves thinking again. Tohru was rigged as a stick in the winter and obviously had no idea what to do with such music. Yuki had a look on his face a kin to when Aya says something about himself at Yuki's age. Kyou looked like a cat on Halloween, you know… fur sticking up. And Shigure, well he looked entirely too pleased, and was (not surprisingly) the first to regain the power of speech.
"oh… we need music like that over here. What a wonderful song."
"You would say something like that stupid dog." Yuki muttered, "if you would be so kind Miss. Isabella, please refrain from anymore vulgar songs like that. I ask kindly." This caused even more laughter from the female Dog, as she flipped a few braids behind her shoulder.
"Aww… I'm sorry Ma Petite Yuki (My little Yuki- it's French). I promise not to warp your precious little mind anymore with my sinful music." Her voice was elaborated. Yuki mused that she and Shigure deserved each other's company… they were both freaks.
"Thank you." He replied through slightly clenched teeth.
"You American's are fucked up!" Kyou finally exclaimed.
"You pauvre chaton (Poor Kitten- Also French), do you dislike us that much?" Isa smiled and blew a kiss. Kyou recoiled back as if there was some kind of deadly serpent in front of him.
"YES!" He shouted. "So stay away from me!"
"Aww," she giggled. "Well that's not what I head from Dani." She commented in a sing-song voice.
"What? What are you talking about? What the hell did that damn rat say?" Kyou leaned forward this time, possibly intending to strangle the driver; but Isa took a sharp turn that threw him back in his seat. Shigure made a sound a kin to "weeee" and both dogs laughed.
"Oh look, we're here." Isa commented as she slowed the car.
"Crazy woman driver!" Kyou muttered.
"That's it… next time Hatori drives." Yuki added.
"It's good to see you two agreeing on something." Tohru said in a wispy voice as she stared wide eyed out the front of the car, looking about this side of terrified. Carefully judging the riceball's current condition, both Cat and Rat decided not to argue at this point.
Isabella pulled the car up to the front of the house and turned it off. Stepping out to pull the seat forward for Kyou, she was rewarded by the Cat jumping over the edge again; still muttering obscenities aimed at in her general direction. Shigure got out as well and offered a hand to Tohru, who griped it tightly and stepped out of the car as if she had been at sea for 40 years, legs and body shaky. Yuki followed lastly and quickly took Tohru's hand from Shigure and placed it over his arm. "Miss Honda, are you alright?" He asked in a sweet but concerned tone.
"Oh yes, I'm fine, just a little… shaken up is all." She replied, her voice beginning to gain back some of its normal qualities.
"Aw come on Dear Heart, it's not that bad." Isa teased as she took Shigure's arm. "Come on, you'll feel better after some tea." She said over her shoulder as she led the way towards the house. This in itself was quite pretty; far larger than Shigure's it was obviously enough to hold the whole band… and then some. The architecture was classic Japanese style, and Yuki found himself wondering how they managed to find a place like this. The front door slid open and Dani stepped out, paling slightly at the sight of everyone (but the dogs) so shaken up.
"Isabella! I told you not to drive like a madman!" Dani commented as he walked out to greet them. "I do apologize for my cousin, she likes frightening people." He added with a smile.
"Tell her to open her mouth that will work great." Kyou growled under his breath. Daniel laughed slightly and nodded.
"Too true." Kyou was about to comment again, but instead Kahlan, the blue haired guitarist from NRGX, stormed out of the house and started to walk past them in a huff. "Where are you going Kal?" Dani asked with a smile.
"For a fucking walk okay." He shot back pausing in his stride to glare at the American Rat. "You got a problem with that?" Dani blinked and shook his head slowly.
"No, but I wouldn't mind knowing what's got you all up in arms?" Dani realized that his cousin had caused enough of a scene to draw everyone's attention. Kahlan started walking again, nearly shoving Kyou out of the way with his shoulder.
"Hey, watch where you're going." Kyou spun around. Kahlan turned a rather nasty glare at him.
"Whatever… oh and for the record Kat says she's not feeling well and won't be out to join you all for tea." Kyou was confused at the bitterness in the Cow's voice, about as confused as to why he was telling HIM all this. Then again, he probably meant it for everyone to hear, not just Kyou himself. With that, the blue haired teen turned and stalked down the long dirt driveway; ignorant to everyone who was watching his back the whole time.
"Um… right. Sorry about that. Kahlan gets weird sometimes." Dani commented.
"Oh don't worry about it. Our Haru can get pretty weird himself." Shigure added with a grin. "Now then, how bout that tea?"
"Oh right, tea, come on inside." Dani said waving to the others.
Kyou was still watching the shrinking form of Kahlan going down the driveway and did not notice that he had been left behind by the others as they all entered the house. He may not have noticed, had it not been for a chorus of giggling that caught his attention. The Carrot-top spun around, almost defensively, to see two sets of identical sapphire eyes sparkling from the door way. The eyes were attached to identical pail faces with ivory hair. The girls bodies were hidden by the door as they only were peering from the inside, but they looked to be merely children. Kyou had remembered hearing something about Dani and Kat having a set of younger twin sisters, and judging by the striking family resemblance, these had to be them. The two exchanged a glance and then walked out of the door way to stand in front of it, still smiling at Kyou.
"Hello to you," said one of the twins, this one dressed in jeans and a light pink top.
"and welcome to our house." The other finished, she was dressed the same, except her shirt was purple. The pink child, now obviously a child, took one step forward and bowed.
"My name is Maryanne Sohma."
"And I am Regene Sohma." The second imitated her sister. They had tiny high pitched voices that reminded the cat somewhat of bells and music. They were cute, in the same way Kisa was cute… the "I can use my cuteness to get what ever I want" kind of cute.
"I think you were supposed to go inside with the others," said Maryanne smiling.
"Yes, are they not expecting you?" Regene echoed as she took a step forward.
"Um… well yea… I guess…" Kyou raised an eyebrow and rubbed the back of his head.
"We'll take you."
"Yes, follow us." They ran forward as one and grabbed his hands tugging him towards the door.
The Cat was still protesting as the girls dragged him into the house and he barely had time to remove his shoes. He noticed that the children were barefoot. They drug him towards the door of a sitting room where everyone was lounging and talking, but before they let him go, they yanked on his hands to stop him.
"What?!?" He asked rather harshly, and was about to apologize when he saw that they were still smiling up at him. As if they didn't even notice his yelling.
"Can we ask you something?" Maryanne's grin turned a little to the mischievous side.
"Sure…" Kyou replied slowly. Not really to sure what to make of them.
"Which one is the Rat?" Regene answered for her sister. Kyou gave them both a strange look.
"Why?" It wasn't like he cared about Yuki at all, but this was too strange not to make him curious.
"We told Katie that we would welcome him." Regene's smile had changed to match her sisters.
"Yes, she couldn't come down today. Not that I can tell why," Maryanne added. The last comment was directed at Regene who shared a look of confusion with her sister.
"Yea she didn't look sick."
"Maybe she was just tired."
"Or maybe she was still hurting from fighting with Dani at Master Kazuma's house."
"Or it could have been the whole falling off the roof thing."
"Yea that could be it."
The girls were talking so fast back and forth, Kyou mused that they had forgotten him completely. And why the hell would Kat want to welcome that damn rat anyway… she doesn't seem to like Yuki at all? What the hell is going on here? Why do American's have to be so weird? When he looked at the girls again they were still engaged in back and forth conversation. "Hey." Kyou continued looking at them.
"… that doesn't explain why she won't come down."
"Maybe she's just being shy."
"That's true."
"We should drag her down."
"Yea… let's go." Maryanne added as she grabbed her sister's hand.
"HEY!" Kyou said a little louder. Both girls turned back and looked at him as if they truly had forgotten about him.
"Oh… yes?" Regene smiled.
"Maybe you should just leave your sister alone." He didn't know how much more of these two he could take… but at least he could foist them off onto someone else. They seemed to be pondering his first comment. "And the rat is the one with the gray hair and purple eyes… His name is Yuki."
"Oh." Both girls perked up.
"Okay." Regene smiled at her sister as the once again turned their backs to Kyou and crept towards the door of the sitting room. I wonder if they realize they look like predators on the prowl when they do that? Kyou sighed and followed them. He had to move slowly as he continued watching the girls; after all, they seemed to be careful about every step. Kyou could tell from this angel that everyone was engrossed in common conversation. Dani was chatting with Yuki and Tohru, and (as seemed to be common now) Shigure and Isa were talking in hushed tones. Occasionally one of the dogs would point to the little group and the two would share a quiet laugh. Kyou slid passed the girls and into the room glancing around before taking a place in an empty chair near Tohru. She was the only one to glance up from her conversation and smile at him.
"Oh Kyou, I had wondered where you had gotten too."
Kyou just shrugged, "Kat's sisters lead me in."
"Oh her sisters, you mean the younger ones, oh… where are they? I would love to meet them." Tohru seemed honestly anxious. Kyou glanced over to the door and was about to point when he realized that the entrance to the room was now empty.
"I…well… they were here a minute ago." He blinked and looked around the room.
"Who was?" Daniel looked up.
"You're sisters." Kyou was surprised to see a look of nervousness in the Rat's eyes.
"Oh were they…" Dani replied slowly as he stood. This ending his current chatting with Yuki, who was now also looking around.
"Mary… Regene… were are you? I know you're around here somewhere." Dani said as he stepped away from the couch.
"Look at you Dani..." Isabella grinned. "Are you so worried about a pair of harmless children?" This last part was accompanied by her own giggling.
"Yea… right… about as harmless as a provoked rattlesnake." The blond replied dryly. He walked around to the back of the couch and Yuki, Kyou and Tohru stood as well. Following Dani's gaze, they all looked behind the couch to see two innocent looking little girls grinning up at their big brother from their makeshift hiding place.
"Oh… they're so cute!" Tohru exclaimed causing them to turn their smiles to her. Yuki decided that their smiles reminded him of a cat that just ate the cannery.
"Girls… why are you hiding behind the couch?" Dani placed his hands on his hips.
"We were just going to say hello." Replied Maryanne, as she then turned to whisper something in her sister's ear.
"No... No whispering… now I know you two are plotting something." He gave them a look stern enough to make Isa at least laugh.
"Who us?" The said in unison while pointing to themselves.
"Yes… YOU!" Dani walked around behind them and nudged them out from behind the couch. They walked out in front of everyone and went through introductions again.
"Hello and welcome to our house." The said as one as they bowed.
"I'm Maryanne Sohma."
"And I'm Regene Sohma."
Kyou rolled his eyes. Yuki smiled sweetly at the little girls. Shigure shot a glance at Isa who just smiled back at him… and Tohru clasped her hands together and made some kind of squealing sound.
"Oh I love them!" She knelt down and pulled both girls into an embrace, they quite happily, hugged her back. Letting them go, she sat back on her heels. "I'm Tohru Honda."
"Hello Miss Honda." The girls said again as one. (They realized how much adults seemed to like when they spoke in unison… people always found it to be the "cutest thing in the world.")
"I'm Shigure Souma." The novelist added with a wave. "I think you've already met Kyou… and that is Yuki." He added pointing to the rat.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Shigure, and you Mr. Kyou," they turned to each as they bowed. "And you especially Mr. Yuki." As they once again lowered themselves in proper greeting, no one noticed the look they exchanged. Rising again to look at the smiling silver haired boy they lunged forward.
"NO!" Dani yelled as he attempted to intercept them. He threw his arms around them both, but Maryanne managed to slip through his grasp and wrap her arms around the other rat. There was a 'poof' of white to compliment the look of shock and fear in Yuki's eyes, followed by a 'poof' of pink. And when the smoke cleared each girl was left cuddling her own little zodiac rat, and giggling with the accomplishment of their task. Tohru had her hands covering her mouth, but Yuki would have sworn he saw the laughter in her eyes. Kyou on the other hand made no attempt to hide his humor in the whole situation. He had fallen back into the chair and was laughing cruelly at the rats' expense.
From Regene's arms, a small white head with bright blue eyes turned to glare at Isa. "See… as harmless as a provoked rattlesnake." He muttered.
But Isabella didn't hear him. No, her face was buried against Shigure's shoulder and she was laughing so hard that tears were messing up her make up. Shigure was not much better. Dani, in rat form, spared a glance over at Yuki, who was attempting to get out of Maryanne's grip. "I'm sorry." He sighed. Yuki made no reply to him but did mutter,
"Miss Honda, please help me." Tohru smiled at the sight but walked over to the little girl.
"Excuse me, but may I please have my friend back?" She smiled at Maryanne.
"Why… I think he looks better that way." Kyou muttered while still grinning evilly.
"No one asked you, you stupid cat." Yuki, the rat, glared.
"I don't think you are in the position to be making threats." Kyou commented.
"Come on girls… let's treat our guests with respect." Isa was suddenly standing over Regene holding out her hands. Tohru followed the gesture and happily, for the rats, the twins handed them over and ran out of the room before they had a chance to change back; which in itself was a fiasco.
Luckily, for everyone, that was the most interesting thing that happened for the day.
"I still think we should have taken Isabella up on her offer to drive us home." Shigure whined from the passenger seat of Hatori's car. "I really am sorry Ha'ri; it was their idea to call you, not mine."
"That's alright… if she drives anything like you or Ayame… I do not blame them for calling me." Hatori replied.
"And with that said, we do thank you Hatori." Yuki added.
"You're welcome." Hatori's voice was stoic as always.
"I think it was a fun day." Tohru added as she stifled a yawn. "Who would have guessed that Dani's little sisters followed in Kat's footsteps. Though I can see why, since she did raise them when their mother died. It was cute though."
"Maybe from where you are sitting Miss. Honda, but I think I could go without being pounced upon by two small girls." Yuki smiled at her, he had gotten passed the angry point once Daniel explained the situation. And the reason he called his younger twin sisters "kittens". Apparently, they followed Caitlin around like baby ducks. Other than that, they had spent the day chatting with Dani and Isa. Sylver and James had made an appearance; Kahlan had returned when they were leaving, but no one asked where he had been. Overall, it really was a good day, if a bit long. "I'm glad you had a good time Miss Honda." Yuki smiled as he put an arm around her shoulder. She just nodded. Kyou had already passed out, his head against the window; and the silver haired boy smiled as Tohru leaned more against him and began to doze herself. By the time they reached Shigure's house, all but Hatori and Shigure were asleep in the back of the car. Tohru was leaning on Yuki and Kyou was leaning on Tohru.
"Aww… aren't they cute Ha'ri?" The dog commented.
"They're lucky really, very lucky. I wish them all happiness." There was a sad note to Hatori's words.
"You know Ha'ri… I think you need a girlfriend." Shigure smiled at his best friend.
"You mean like you?" The Dragon smiled back. "No thank you… High school girls are a little young for me."
"I certainly hope you aren't talking about Isa." Shigure made a false look of exasperation. "I'll have you know that we are merely business partners."
"Right!" Hatori shook his head, "why don't you wake up the others."
"Well that was productive." Isa grinned at her cousin.
"I suppose so." Daniel sighed, "Though I do hope the twins didn't make too much of a bad show for us."
"Oh Daniel, you know worrying like that will kill you. Besides, they're only children… they can't be held accountable for their actions."
"That's what I am afraid of. I can't believe they would do that to a guest in our house." Dani flopped down in a chair and covered his face with his hands. "Katie put them up to it… I know she did."
"Well then… I think you are telling the wrong person about your concerns." Isa smiled as she finished washing the tea pot and put it away.
"You're right… father will yell at her." Dani stood, proud of this new decision.
"No, not quite." Isabella slowed him with a hand on the shoulder. "Go talk to your sister. Here," she handed him a glass of water. "Tell her I told you to bring that to her." The dog went back to washing the dishes. Dani shook his head but listened to his cousin and started making his way towards his sister's room.
"I saw you stalk out today Kal… why did you have to be so mean to them." Kat looked at her way ward cousin from where she sat on the edge of her bed. She was dressed in a lose fitting robe that was large enough to still be fully modest.
"I wasn't being mean. I just didn't want to deal with them that's all." Kahlan paced the room still glaring. "I just want to help you Kat… I don't know why I listen to you at all. I love you and for that I've done what you asked and kept quiet… but I'm tired of it." He ranted as he paced, though Caitlin noticed that he still kept his tone hushed. She stood, slowly, movement being not the most pleasant thing at this point in time.
"Kal, there is so much you don't understand." She placed a hand on the blue haired youth's shoulder in an attempt to get him to calm down.
"So explain it to me." He did stop, but only to he could stare at her.
"I can't do that… you know I can't cause I've told you that before." She was tired of this fight… for the two of them it was a fairly frequent occurrence, but never the less she would calm him down and he would forget about it for the time being… until he had no choice but to remember it again. That was always the way of it.
"That's not good enough this time." He took a hold of her upper arm firmly and yanked her in front of a mirror. She was still gritting her teeth from the pain of quick movement when she gazed up into her own reflection. "Look at yourself… you look like shit." Kahlan commented. She smiled up an him and replied sarcastically,
"Well then I must look 10 times better than I feel… so don't worry about it."
Kahlan sighed, "Kat I am not joking around, this isn't a game. Why don't you see that?" He was getting frustrated; he always got frustrated when he had to argue with her.
"I can assure you that I see much more than you do… so lay off." She snapped; her patience was running thin.
"Oh… so you go and get mad at me. Well fine, but if you're going to be mad at me you may as well hate me and never speak to me again." He took a step back and crossed his arms. "I'm telling your father."
"Like hell you are… I swear Kahlan… if you do I'll—"
"You'll what… I've heard all your threats before and I don't care about them. You say that you will hate me. You say that you'd kick my ass. Never talk to me for the rest of your life. Well go ahead." He stalked towards the door.
"Damnit Kahlan." She grabbed his arm spun him around and shoved him against the wall. All the while dealing with the ever present pain that was visible on her face.
"See, I don't think you even have the strength to raise a fist… or if you do you'll be in more pain then me." Kal looked sympathetic. "You can't go on living like this Kat. I mean it."
Caitlin took a deep breath, "Kahlan if you tell my father then I swear you will never see me again. None of this family will. I'll disappear. So how do you like that threat?" She held him firmly.
"I don't believe you." The cow made each word into a statement.
"Then I'll give you some time to think it over." She glared. Taking a step back, she punched him in the stomach and brought him to his knees. Kahlan stayed there for a minute, gasping for air; but when he looked up, he saw that Kat had gotten dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt. Not exactly, winter attire; and was walking away from him. "Some time to think Kahlan, that's precisely what you need."
"Kat, come on, please. Have some common sense." Kahlan sighed and pushed himself to his feet.
"I have all the common sense I need Kahlan, all of it." With that, she shocked the cow by jumping out her second story window.
"Kat!" Kahlan ran over in time to see her running away from the house.
"Katie?" Daniel's voice was confused as he opened the door to his sister's room. He stopped when he saw Kahlan staring out the window. "Kahlan what happened?"
"I… I don't know… one minute she was here… the next we were arguing… then she jumped and ran off." The worry was evident in the boy's eyes. "I'm sorry Dani, I didn't think she would ever take it this far. I didn't mean to piss her off so much. We have to find her… She's… she not feeling well, you know that."
"It's not your fault… I know how she gets. We have to tell my father." Dani turned and bolted for the door.
"Wait! Tell him what?" Kal followed and grabbed his cousin's shoulder.
"That Katie's run away. Why is there something else I should be telling him?" For a moment, they just stared at each other.
Kahlan if you tell my father then I swear you will never see me again. None of this family will. I'll disappear.
Some time to think on it… that's precisely what you need.
"No, I'm just… worried is all." Kahlan let go of Dani and watched as the twin of the girl he loved ran off to tell their father of her disappearance. Damnit Kat, why do you always have to be right? I won't tell him, I'm sorry, just please come home. He walked over to the open window and looked out of it. After all, you have no where else to go.
A/N:
Hey guys… thanks a lot for all the reviews… it seems that I have become desperate enough to pimp out my fic, but hey it got me the 5 reviews necessary for me to put up this chapter so many thanks to those of you who were kind enough to humor me. Anyhow, I know this one is a little slow, but I promise it will pick up later. Right now I am working on a lot of background and plot development so I hope I am doing okay with that. As you can tell I am trying to keep the amount of people in each chapter down so as not to confuse anyone (including myself) and for this chap. the only new characters you had to meet were Kat and Dani's sisters. Aren't they cute… I love twins. Anyhow, I think that's it except that I hope you will all review and stuff. *pauses* Hm… do you guys want a preview of next chapter?? Well I'll throw one in just incase and if you like it tell me in your reviews and maybe I'll keep doing it. I'll put it in at the end after I am done with separate comments. Oh yea… a couple people have asked where I got the ideas for my characters so I think it would be a good time to send out my thanks to all my friends… because whether they know it or not… they are the basis for most the characters in this fic. *grins* My poor friends, forever immortalized in my disturbed writing.
**Crystal – Thanks for keeping up with me, I will definitely do the same for you. And as a quick note, I am afraid you won't get to meet the Sheep and the Tiger until the New Years Festivities… the Sheep doesn't play a huge part of this fic, but the Tiger is one of my favorite characters and you will get to see a good bit of her. *secret note* She becomes a main character in the Sequel fic… and wait till you see who falls for her. *winks*
Background Info on the Tiger:
Name: Lora Sohma
Nickname: "Sway"
Age: 15
Hobbies: If it has anything to do with a computer, she can work it, fix it, or break into it.
**Mouton – Actually no, there really is no particular reason that some of the cha. are the same sex and some are not. I have not read the manga and there is nothing in the anime that says there are X# of boys and X# of girls affected by the curse. So I just went ahead and made them how I would like to see them best. I hope that answers your question and thanks a bunch for reviewing.
**Yue's Lady- thanks for the review and I will email you as soon as I am done posting this. On a side note I love your email address, I am a big fan of the DJ Trilogy as well.
**Kanayuki- Here ya go hun, I think you will appreciate this chapter even if it is only for the Isagure-ness of it.
**Becki3- You are very welcome and I will more than happily keep up with your fic. I think it's cute and it reminds me of something I am working on for the side. When ever I get really bad writers block I tend to write short little OOC things that have nothing to do with the story, but I may end up making them "Little OOC Intermissions between chapters" you know just for the fun of it. And thanks for the review.
Preview:
I know what he's thinking. Kat made her way though the woods, deciding at this point it would be easier to avoid the streets. It was late and she had no idea if Japan had a curfew as California did. He thinks that I'll come home when I get tired… he thinks I can't go anywhere else. Can I? I could probably find somewhere quiet out here to sleep. Up in a tree or something. Stupid Kahlan, he makes me so mad sometimes. I'll show him… I can stay out here as long as I need to in order to prove my point. Caitlin approached a large tree and reached up to the first branch. The searing pain that shot through her back was enough for her to hesitate. Okay, so maybe not a tree, but there have to be plenty of places closer to the ground. It may be cold but it could be worse. She should have knocked on wood, she realized this when the thick drops of rain started to fall. Rain, water, an element that she most certainly did not get along with. She gazed back in the direction of the house her family was staying at. She couldn't go back there, wouldn't… not until Kahlan learned his lesson. Maybe it was childish, but damnit it was still true. He had no right to stick his nose in where it did not belong.
But she had nowhere else to go, did she? She looked off into the distance of the woods and remembered a friendly female voice saying "If you ever need anything just come over to Shigure's house and see us." Would they take her in, would they call her father… there would be so much to explain. Well one thing was for sure, she wasn't going home. And with that in mind, she started walking again though the woods, realizing she had no idea where Shigure's house was. Trust in fate Kat, if you were meant to find it, you will. And somehow, that odd logic kept her going as the night was filled with the down poor of cold rain.
Also to come in Chapter 5:
"Everyone, we have an announcement." Shigure smiled as he laid an arm around Isabella's shoulder.
"You can't marry her. You just met her." Kyou shouted.
They two dogs laughed. "Actually Kyou, we were just going to announce that we will be working on a project together; a new series to combine the wonderful talents of two fantastic novelists." Isa stated elaborately.