Part 8

I didn't know when we fell asleep that night. All I knew is that we woke up the next morning still holding each other.

You can probably imagine the night nurse's reaction when she saw us like that. After a scolding fest Kyo agreed to clear it with the hospital the next time he would spend the night.

Then again, I was being discharged that day so I don't think that promise was necessary.

Hatori was a little surprised to see Kyo in my room when he came in, but he kept his usual expression. With a calm tone he instructed Kyo to take a hot shower as soon as he could and get rid of the clothes he was wearing. Mom didn't think Kyo being there was too odd either. She came in looking a lot less tired than she did yesterday and cheerfully said 'good morning' to us.

When everything settled down, Hatori told us what was going to happen.

"You'll be able to get out of the hospital gown and into normal clothing again," said Hatori. "First though, you'll have to have your I.V. removed."

The nurse carefully removed it from my hand and applied gauze to it.

"Now you can get dressed. Kyo, if you'll come with me so we can give Kagura some privacy."

They left and my mom helped me out of my gown and into normal clothing. I was relieved to finally have a shirt on, though what I needed more than anything was a hot shower, like what Hatori prescribed Kyo.

When Hatori and Kyo reentered the room, a nurse was following them with a wheelchair.

"The medical bus is here," Hatori announced. "Kagura, the nurse will guide you downstairs in this wheelchair."

Mom helped me up and got me settled in the wheelchair. "I just need to gather up the rest of your things. I'll meet you downstairs."

"I'll be following in my car," said Hatori as we started leaving the room. "Since your mother and no doubt Kyo will be riding with you in the bus. Don't worry; I'll know if anything goes wrong."

I sighed softly. "I'll be glad to get home. To be able to sleep in my own bed, take a bath—"

"I'm sorry, but no," Hatori cut in. "The stitches in your back are too important to budge now. You'll have to wait until a month has gone by before that, and maybe even longer depending on how well you're feeling."

I felt my insides shrivel up. I had to go a month without bathing? My glow over leaving the hospital was slowly fading.

We reached the front entrance of the hospital, where the bus was waiting. I gulped a little as I was directed onto the bus. Kyo climbed in shortly after me and my mom was quick to follow.

"The trip home will take no time at all," said Hatori. "And I'll be right behind you in my car."

I nodded. "Thank you, Hatori."

He smiled as the doors closed. He walked away and headed to his car.

The trip home was in silence. I doubted any of us had really anything to say to lighten the mood. And it felt strange being in the bus; when we stopped at a red light several people stared into the bus windows. Particularly at me.

I may not have my lump anymore, but I still feel self-conscious, I thought to myself, lowering my head.

"Ah, don't worry about them," said Kyo. "They just don't have anything better to do than rubberneck. It's annoying, really."

I looked up and stared at Kyo. Ever since he broke down the night before he barely spoke. And his tone of voice seemed to be back to its usual tone. This made me feel a lot better, and the ride home became less tense.

Once we arrived home, I was shocked to see Akito standing at the front gates waiting for us. Then again, Kureno, another cousin and member of the Juunishi, was at his side so that helped explain why he was outside the compound.

He waited patiently as I was helped out of the bus. A strange emotion flickered briefly across his face when he saw Kyo climb out of the bus, but it quickly returned to an amused expression.

"How nice to see you, Kagura," he greeted as the medical bus drove away. Hatori was supporting me as we walked up to him. "Though you aren't looking much healthier."

"She needs her rest," said Hatori. "She's in for a long recovery."

"I see." Akito's gaze flickered over to Kyo. "Is th…I mean, is Kyo coming in with you?"

"Nah, I'm heading home," said Kyo off-handedly, though his tone had a hint of hostility.

"Hang on, Kyo-kun," I said. I motioned for him to come over to me.

"You have two minutes," said Hatori. He carefully handed me over to Kyo, who led me a little ways away. Not too far away, but out of earshot.

"Thanks for coming last night," I told him. "And…I'm sorry about Tohru."

Kyo sighed. "I can't stay mad at her forever. It'll make her more miserable than I am right now. So…I'll try and cope with it."

I nodded. "That'll be better for you."

"Also…I have to admit I was a little surprised about something."

"What?"

Kyo pulled out a wrinkled envelop and handed it to me. "I saw this sticking out of Hiro's pocket a few days ago. I saw my name on it and asked what the hell he was doing with it. He kinda laughed and gave it to me. It…well, reading it was odd. I knew you had survived your surgery but the letter sounded like you didn't."

I laughed a little. "I guess so…but I was scared that night before my surgery. And I felt…like I needed to make peace with you."

"All right. Let's make peace then and start off as friends, okay?"

I smiled brightly. That wasn't exactly what I wanted him to say, but he was being sincere. And he wanted to be my friend. That was better than nothing.

Before I could stop myself I leaned in and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek. His whole face turned dark red and he yelped, clutching that cheek.

"Thanks, Kyo-kun," I said sweetly. "Now head on home and take better care of yourself."

Kyo spouted out several words in gibberish, then consented and headed on home. I kept the smile on my face and slowly headed back to Hatori.

"Okay, now let's go inside," he said, though a smile was tugging at his lips. Mom and him helped me through the main gates. I noted that Akito was whispering to Kureno, who listened with a blank expression. I had no idea what he was saying, but at the time I didn't care. I was home.

---

Even though I was suppose to spend my days at home in peace and quiet, I certainly couldn't ignore the people who stopped in to say hello. And it wasn't just members of the Juunishi; members of the family who knew about the curse stopped by. Including those I didn't know were relatives.

This annoyed the hell out of Hatori. Whenever he stopped by to give me a check-up the house was full of people. Throwing aside his usual calm he'd yell politely for everyone to leave so that he could do his job as the family's doctor.

Though I couldn't take a bath, the best option I had was a sponge bath. I hated that just as much as staying dirty, but unfortunately it was the best that could be done for the time being.

Out of everyone's company, I welcomed Isuzu's company greatly. I hadn't seen her in a long while and I was happy to be able to speak with her. She was a lot more melancholy than before. I had a feeling that when Hiro quickly left the hospital that day it was to talk to her. Whatever they said probably caused her to be so depressed.

There was also another thing I welcomed, though it was very new: Kyo. Though he never stopped by because he obviously didn't want to run into Akito, he'd call me. It started off on little whims; our conversations lasting about fifteen minutes. Then, over the days our conversations stretched to over three hours. And generally he would call me twice a day!!

He was probably reaching out to someone. It was no doubt still tense at Shigure's house, even if he made amends with Yuki and Tohru. I knew he just needed someone to have casual conversation with; that person being me. But, as the days grew on as did our conversations, I could tell that he was really enjoying them. We were certainly talking more than we did when we were kids.

My only worry was Akito. He wouldn't stop by or say anything really to me, but I'd see him speaking with Hatori outside my house and he'd give my bedroom window weird looks. Hatori had told me that Akito sympathized with me considering he was ill like I was. If that was the case, Akito certainly had a strange way of showing it.

I also noticed whenever Akito was near the house that Isuzu would move as far away from his location as she could. The more I saw her do that, the more it confirmed my suspicions that Akito had caused her "accidents".

And as the days grew, I knew that I couldn't ignore it anymore.

---

"Isuzu, come here a second," I called out to her after I hung up the phone. I had just had a pleasant conversation with Kyo. He was definitely sounding a lot better.

Isuzu came into my room. "Is something wrong?"

"No, I just wanted to spend a little time with you."

Isuzu sighed heavily and walked over to the window. She opened it a few inches. "What about?"

"Is there something bothering you?"

"What makes you say that?"

"You've been really depressed lately. And you've been acting strangely."

Isuzu walked away from the window. "Really? I don't think—"

"Look, Isuzu, I know about it," I blurted out.

Isuzu froze. She stared at me with a pale face. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."

I sighed and stood up carefully. I took a seat next to the open window. "I know what the cause of your "accidents" is."

"You don't know anything," Isuzu snapped a little too quickly.

"I know that Akito has a hand in them."

Isuzu reeled back until she hit the wall. "How did you—" she quickly recovered herself. "I mean, I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm not stupid, Isuzu! I know that Akito beats you up and that your "accidents" aren't accidents but abuse!!"

"You don't know anything!" Isuzu repeated, but she yelled it this time.

"And Hiro knows it too. That's why he confronted you about it. Because he knows how Akito acts."

Isuzu balled up her fists tightly. "Okay, fine. Akito does beat the shit out me. My "accident" was him throwing me out that window. But so what?! What the fuck does it matter what he does to me?! Do you think anyone in this family cares?! My parents didn't!!!"

"I care!!" I cried. "And Haru does!!"

Isuzu stopped. She closed her eyes.

"Don't you ever bring this up to him," she hissed. "Or anyone for that matter. I can take care of this myself; when he hits, I strike back with greater force. Don't you ever bring this up again, Kagura. Or I swear I'll…" she stopped herself and shook her head. "I'm sorry. Just don't talk about this, okay?"

She didn't wait for my answer. She stormed from the room, closing the door sharply behind her.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and sighed. This did not turn out well at all.

Suddenly, I heard something outside. Footsteps receding. My insides froze. Someone had eavesdropped on our conversation!!!

I quickly stood up and yanked my window completely open. I stuck my head out, but saw no one. But I looked down and saw footprints in the mud, and deep imprints right next to my window.

I started breathing shallowly, closing the window. Someone heard everything that we said. Someone knows about Isuzu's big secret. But who? I prayed that it wasn't Akito, or one of his spies.

Don't worry yourself, I told myself. It was probably someone who will brush it off like it's nothing. Besides, what could possibly happen?

I got my answer the following morning. Mom brought me in breakfast in bed as usual, but she brought up an odd question.

"Kagura, have you seen Isuzu?"

"Eh? Why, isn't she here?"

"No. She wasn't home last night when I went to bed and she wasn't home when I woke up. I don't think she ran away again, but I just don't know."