Chapter Six: Growing Closer
On Saturday afternoon Kandis sat at the small table in the sitting room waiting for Tohru to bring in lunch. Since she had been busy all week long, Tohru had invited her over this particular day to catch up. Tohru came in with a smile on her face and put the tray down.
"Okay" she grinned, "Here we go."
"Thanks Tohru" Kandis smiled as she sat down, "This looks great."
"So tell me Kandis" Tohru replied, "How have your classes been going? Are you enjoying them?"
"Oh yes. I really am. I'm having lots of fun in my classes. I'm having a lot of fun in the afternoons too."
"Yes I heard. Rebecca told me that you have been going out every afternoon for two weeks now. Have you met someone in school?"
"No not exactly" Kandis shook her head, "But I have been spending my time with someone."
"Someone special?" Tohru lifted up her teacup to her lips.
"I wouldn't call him that special as of yet. I mean I like him and I am enjoying spending time with him. Oh Tohru" she replied excitedly, "I am just about to burst with what I have to tell you."
"What doyou mean?" Tohru said putting her cup down, "What is it?"
"Is anyone at home?"
"No just me. Shigure's in his study right now, but he can't hear anything behind his door."
"Well I am just gonna come out and say it. I have been spending my afternoons with Akito Sohma."
The room was silent for a moment as Tohru stared at her confused and somewhat shocked.
"I'm sorry what did you say?" Tohru replied finally speaking.
"I've been spending my afternoons with Akito Sohma" Kandis repeated with a smile.
"Akito? Akito Sohma from the main house Akito?"
"Uh huh."
"But how do you know him? I mean how did you meet him?"
"Do you remember that party we all went to?"
Tohru nodded her eyes wide.
"Well during part of the party I wandered into the garden and there he was. We talked for about a good twenty minutes and then as I prepared to leave he called me back asking me to prove something to him."
"What?"
"He wanted me to prove to him that there was more on the outside of the Sohma walls that he couldn't find there. So two weeks ago I took him out to all sorts of places. The park, that temple you took me one time, even the city. We've been having all sorts of fun. It was only meant to be for a week but he extended it. He really is quite the guy. What's wrong Tohru? Why do you look so sad?"
"Oh I'm not sad really" Tohru faked a smile, "But Kandis hashe really has enjoyed spending time with you? Hasn't he done anything to hurt you or said anything that pushed you away."
"Well sure. He tried" Kandis nodded, "But I am tough as nails. And I flat out told him that I didn't mind his insults. In fact I insulted him quite a bit back. We are going out again next week and the week after that. We'll probably go out until he says to stop but until then I think I will just keep enjoying his company."
"But Kandis" Tohru said, "What about?"
"Hmm? What about what?"
"Oh never mind" Tohru shook her head, "It's not important. Any way I am happy for you and for Akito. It's nice he has someone to talk to now that he feels comfortable with."
"Well actually he doesn't do an awful lot of talking, I do most of it. But I have seen him smile and that really has what has spurred me on. It made me see that he really is a good person underneath that tough exterior" she laughed and Tohru laughed along with her.
Outside in the hallway Shigure listened intently and smiled himself as he walked back into his study, closing the door quietly behind him.
"I thought so" he grinned, "Well if anyone can change that man, it might be Miss Ward" he thought.
(Next Scene)
That evening Kyo walked into the kitchen and saw Tohru sigh heavily as she finished up the last dish. He walked over and embraced her from behind.
"Hey what's eating you?" he asked in concern.
"Oh it's nothing. I saw Kandis today" she turned around to face him.
"That's good. But why should that make you sad?"
"Because Kyo" she sighed again, "I found out that she has been spending her past two weeks in the afternoon with Akito."
"What?" his eyes became wide, "No way."
"It's true. She's been spending all her available time with him. She said she's gonna continue and that they both are having a good time."
"I thought I was going crazy when I saw them last time" he replied.
"What do you mean?"
"Well two weeks when we went shopping together I thought I saw them at the park together but I thought I was dreaming. Is she crazy? Doesn't she know what kind of person Akito is?"
"Well apparently he doesn't bother her and she doesn't bother him. In fact she told me that it was only supposed to last for a week but that he asked for more time."
"Well I'll be damned. But does she know about him? I mean his curse."
"No" Tohru shook her head, "I didn't have the heart to tell her. She seems to really like him. I didn't want her to be sad. But I will be sad for her the day she finds out. That is if Akito ever tells her."
"Yea" Kyo nodded slowly scratching his head.
(Next Scene)
On Tuesday the next week Kandis and Akito were once more at the park by the pond. They had just finished an afternoon snack and Kandis pulled out her bag.
"I hope you don't mind if I do a bit of knitting do you?" she asked pulling out her knitting gear.
"Knitting?" he raised his eyebrow, "No. But I didn't know you did that kind of thing."
"I don't usually but I learned a few things from my grandmother last time I saw her. I am quite good at what I can do. The rest of been teaching myself from this book" she held it up, "I don't know what it's going to be myself yet" she held up the knitting, "I guess we'll see. Maybe it will be something for Tohru" she smiled.
"I guess" Akito said crossing his arms as she continued, "Hey can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"What do you see in her anyway?"
"Who Tohru?"
"Yes."
"Well like you said before what's not to like about her? I mean she really is the sweetest person that I have ever met. She has the nicest personality. There are not that many people in the world like that."
"I guess."
"I mean no matter what she has gone through she is still happy with her life."
"What do you mean gone through?"
"I know the Sohmas have suffered through their curse and they have every right to feel that way, but I feel sorriest for her the most. I mean she lost her father when she was very small and then she lost her mother to death when she just started high school. Three days before her birthday too. After that she had no family really who wanted to take her in. And it wasn't until she met Shigure and the others that she felt part of a family again. No matter what happened in her life however she still smiles. She overcomes everything with a good attitude and a positive outlook on life. I think that is really to be admired. I really admire her for that. If anyone deserves to be happy it's Tohru Honda. I want to be like her myself but I really don't think that I will hold a candle to her in that way but I'll keep trying. I guess that's what I like best about her. She's hardly ever selfish. Even though she should be. She always puts others needs in front of her own. Even all that stuff she went through last month with Kyo didn't bring her down. She kept going. And he won. Now the two of them can be together."
"And you're happy about that?" he asked her when she finished.
"Oh very much. I thought they were the sweetest couple I have ever met. He's so wonderful to her and you can tell they really love each other. And the more amazing thing of all is that she loves him as much as she does despite his curse. Kyo is a monster underneath yet she loves him. It sort of reminds me of Beauty and the Beast" she looked into the sky, "Beauty was this homely but beautiful young girl who fell in love with a monster too because underneath she could see what a kind creature he was. If you think about it Tohru and Kyo's relationship is like a fairytale in way. With a curse and everything. Are you saying that you are not happy that they are together?"
"I could really care less" Akito replied, "I mean he won his freedom, there's not really anything I can do. Besides you know the circumstances of that fight don't you?"
"Yes" Kandis nodded, "Tohru told me."
"Then shouldn't you be angry with me? After all I was the one who issued the challenge to him."
"True. But it's tradition right? I mean did you really want to have him locked up forever Akito?"
"Well no" Akito shook his head, "I just didn't like that Yuki lost to him. Yuki has never lost to him."
"Maybe not. But Yuki's not perfect either. Hey tell me something Akito, you're real close to Yuki aren't you?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Because you talk so fondly of him. That's why."
"I suppose" Akito nodded, "I guess I care about him in some degree."
"Hmm? Anyway as I was saying about Tohru and Kyo, I really am very happy for them. I only hope that someday I'm just as lucky in finding someone like that."
Akito looked at her for a moment taking in her face as she continued with her work. She was concentrating so she really didn't notice him look.
"What would he have to be like, this person of yours?"
"Huh? Oh you mean my potential other half?"
"Yes. He probably would have to be a conversationalist right? Someone who gets just as excited as you?"
"Actually" Kandis said as she stood up to stretch, "I think I would like someone who was just the opposite of what I was."
Akito looked at her surprised as she placed her hands behind her back.
"I think the person that suits me would be completely different then me. Someone soft spoken and down to earth. You know" she turned to him, "Someone who can bring me back down. Of course he would have to have a sweet side to him. Not too sweet but able to be gentle in a way. I want someone who will love me for who I am. Love me despite my quirks and idiosyncrasies. And I know I have a few of them" she giggled, "Yes. I think that's what I want. Someone who can support me and I can support him. For the remainder of our days. What about you Akito?" she looked at him directly as he paused still taking in all that she had said.
"I can't say that I have ever really thought about it much" he grumbled frowning suddenly,
"Really?" she said sitting down, "Never?"
"No."
"I find that hard to believe."
"Why?"
"Because you're what Akito, twenty one years old?"
"So?"
"So you're in the prime of your life. This is when most people think about this stuff."
"I can't really think about stuff like that."
"How come?"
"It's not important. Any way just drop it."
"Uh uh. I can't just drop something like this. I can't believe that a person like you hasn't even thought about this sort of thing? Surely you have thought about it just once."
"No I never have" he replied standing up angrily, "What's the point anyway. Love doesn't really exist."
"Huh? Yes it does."
"No it doesn't" he shook his head, "It never did. Love is a hopeless folly. Something invented by the foolish."
She stood up and looked at him seriously.
"Oh Akito. How can you say that?"
"Because I know it doesn't. I have never seen it and never will. Any way what makes you think it exists?"
"Because I have seen it. Love really does exist. It's out there Akito you just have to find it."
"I don't believe that" he turned his back to her, "I have never seen it. And I never will."
"Does that mean that anything you don't see doesn't exist?"
"I suppose that is what I mean. Love doesn't exist. Lust does. That's what people do, they lust after one another. They don't love one another. It's all a lie."
"But Akito if there wasn't love then you wouldn't be here and neither would I. The reason that you are here is because two people got together one day. Two people who were in love and they created you through that love."
"That's not true!" he shouted, "They didn't love one another! They hated one another! They didn't love me either! I was a mistake! That's all I was!" he started to tear up, "I was a mistake! I should have never been born!"
Kandis looked at the back of his head sadly and shook her head.
"That's not true Akito. Are you saying that it is a mistake that you are here right now. Don't you know how many people would be sad if you weren't? I know because I am one of them."
Akito's shoulders untightened and he stared straight ahead in shock.
"You are very important and now I know I have a new goal. I am going to prove you that if nothing else, that love truly exists."
She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head on his back. Akito stunned at first tried to move away but then he placed his own hands on top of hers that were in front of him, lowering his head.
"I promise you" she said softly, "It exists. I will show you that you are loved Akito. That you are important to someone."
And in that stance they remained for a good twenty minutes. Then she pulled away and he said nothing. Instead they walked to the crepe vendor to get a snack, Akito's heart softening as he thought of her heartfelt words.
(Next Scene)
Kandis walked into the apartment that evening in high spirits. She put down her bag and called to her cousin.
"Bec! I'm home!"
Rebecca appeared from her room with a sad look on her face as she walked over.
"Kandis."
"What's the matter?"
"You got a call from your parents while you were gone. In fact they have been calling every hour."
"What's wrong? Kandis eyes suddenly became wide, "Is it Dad? Or mom? Or maybe the girls?"
"No everyone is fine" Rebecca shook her head, "But you need to call them back right now."
"Okay" Kandis nodded walking into the bedroom and picking up the phone.
Twenty minutes into the phone conversation Kandis listened on the other end to what her father was saying.
"I understand" she said, "I'll be there as soon as I can. Okay. Love you dad. See you soon" she hung up the phone with a sigh, "Bec!" she called.
Rebecca came into the room and nodded sadly.
"I already got you a flight back tomorrow" she replied.
"When do I leave?"
"Tomorrow morning" Rebecca said.
"That soon? No wait I can't go tomorrow morning. I have someone I have to see first tomorrow afternoon. Can't you change it for tomorrow night?"
"All right. I'll change it" Rebecca agreed, "But you have to be on that flight tomorrow."
"I know" Kandis nodded sadly, "I'll go pack" she replied as she walked past her and went straight to her room.
Rebecca watched as she departed and then she called to change the flight. Meanwhile in her room Kandis placed some clothes in her suitcase not really knowing what to think about her conversation with her father. The only thought in her head was one aboutsomeone who had become so dear to her.
"Akito" she thought sadly.
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys! One more chapter till this book is done!
Next Chapter: A Sudden Goodbye
Kandis says her goodbyes to Akito. What will his reaction be? Find out next time!
