Disclaimer: Hello from Portland, Maine! I own nothing, cruel world, oh cruel world. Here's Chapter 5
Chapter 5 The Three Amigos
Shigure entered his home, and instantly dropped his suitcase in shock. Yuki was walking through the kitchen with a basket full of laundry, Haru was t the stove in Tohru's pink apron, Momiji was setting the table, and you see Kyo run across the stage mopping. (Weeee)
"WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE? WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MY FAMILY?!" He pointed at them yelling
The entire group looked up. Momiji grinned and ran up hugging Shigure, being the most youthful of them all.
"Shigure's Home!"
"Uhh...err..." Shigure dropped his head and sighed "this is definitely no imposter. Hey lil dude."
Everyone seemed to finish their tasks, except for Haru who remained at the stove stirring some concoction in the pot. "Tohru fainted today" Kyo replied quietly putting the mop away in the closet.
"She what?" Shigure asked shocked once more., no unlatching himself from Momiji's grasp. His violet eyes filled with worry as he now stood in the center of the room. Silence seemed to fill that room, down to ever last lonesome corner and cobweb. Everyone's gaze fell to the floor, as they tried to divert their eyes from him, no one wanted to explain.
"In class, for some reason, Tohru got really sick. She let fell into a freaky shock, it was messed up. The stupid teacher told me to bring her to the infirmary, but the moment I actually got Tohru into the hallway she fainted. So of course, I couldn't leave her there on the ground, so I carried her to the infirmary. The nurse let me stay there for a while with her, and once she finally did wake up, I took her home."
"How the hell did you all let her get so sick?" Shigure screamed "Do you all have no concern for her at all? God, I knew this family had some issues, but I never knew you were all jack-assess! I cannot believe this!"
"But Shigure...." Momiji stuttered.
"No butts! I bring this near death girl into this home, and she has been nothing but selfless and hard working. You bustards, maybe I should just let her go to an orphanage where HER needs come first! Would you all like that huh? You wouldn't have to deal with her anymore, and she could live a better life!"
Silence fell in the room, until a little voice was heard, a little squeaky nervous voice "NO" All eyes fell upon a frail brown haired girl with broken eyes who stood in the threshold. She still stood, almost like a zombie, a lifeless corpse, in her pink pajamas. Tears spilled from her eyes, and no one seemed to find the words to speak.
"Don't send me away. Don't let Akito erase my memories. I"ll get better soon, I'll work five times harder. I'll wake up earlier and work till dusk. I don't care what it takes, please Shigure, don't let him find me"
Everyone remained awestricken and mute as Tohru rubbed at her eyes trying to wipe away some of her tears. The group exchanged glances to se who would do something. Mostly, they resembled marble statues, capturing their final distressed moments.
"Shigure....no one could have prevented my fainting, it was my fault, always my fault" she added quietly swaying back and forth.
Shigure walked over to Tohru lightly, and gently took her into his arms, and for once the boys were not their usual jealous hot heads, for they knew that Tohru needed to be comforted, and he was not being selfish in his actions.
"Tohru, what happened to you angel?" he asked cooing
"Someone...and my memories...talked to me" she said flatly
"Talked to you sweety? Who talked to you?"
"I can't....recall...but I don't like him" she whispered
"Tohru, do you remember what he said?"
"No..." She lied. Tohru dare not speak of what she heard, it would only cause more agony and worry.
Tohru then rocked forward, and early indication of a soon to faint person. Shigure tightened his grip around her, and in a single motion swooped her off her feet. Without discussion, Shigure rested Tohru on the futon couch, and seeing the flower in her hair, plucked it out, and tucked it away. He then sat down at the dinner table, and Haru began serving dinner.
"Shigure...what are we going to do with TorTor?" Momiji asked as his eyes fell upon her in the other room.
"We will discuss this no more. Tohru will be fine in the morning. I warn you to keep your distance from her. I want her to relax."
The boys nodded in understanding and slowly ate their meals. Between spoon fulls of soup, often times at least one pair of eyes would fall upon Tohru's empty seat next to Kyo or their eyes would only drift back to the slumbering maiden on the sofa.
Shigure would often cough or casually clear his throat, signaling for the boys to stop. Dinner was all to unnaturally quiet for everyone's liking, and they were all too grateful when it ended.
The Sohma's all then seemed to disappear to their own retreats; Shigure to his office, Momiji to his room, Haru to the porch, Yuki to the dojo, and Kyo to the roof, all trying to push Tohru out of their minds.
Shigure sat down in his office chair resting his hands on his forehead sighing. He looked to his work desk, staring at his picture of Tohru.
"What the hell am I gonna do? I've got an entire cursed family that's head over heals for a girl that could ultimately bring our doom....."
The next day...
The following morning, Tohru awoke to the delicate sound of bird songs against the windows. As he adjusted to the dim light that poured in through the windows, she became aware that she was actually in her bedroom, and no longer on the sofa.
The scene seemed all too familiar. As Tohru looked to the clock, she found it read 4:45 am. Just about time to start the day. Tohru could not piece together how she had gotten from downstairs to here.
Tohru then felt movement in her bed, and she turned to see the covers squirm. She grew stiff and a water droplet fell from the side of her face. She was almost too afraid to imagine. She slowly draped back the covers, and then someone's short purple hair emerged. She pulled the covers completely back, to find Yuki sleeping in his boxers! YUKI?
Tohru then violently shook Yuki desperately, trying to wake him up.
"Yuki! Yuki!" Tohru whispered rashly. Yuki moaned slightly, and then his eyes fluttered open slowly. Yuki only smiled sweetly, leaving Tohru very confused and perplexed.
"Good morning Tohru"
"Uhh Yiki, why, what am I doing in my bed? What are you doing in my bed?"
"Well, I brought you up here last night, and you looked so beautiful, I had no desire to leave" Tohru flustered and blushed in embarrassment, at the same time she was disturbed by this, and wasn't exactly sure what to make of this, being the innocent girl that Tohru is.
"But sir, I mean Prince, uh Yuki, why, I'm so mixed up"
"Don't you understand you sill girl? I want to be with you, you're so beautiful, I never wish to leave you. We would be the perfect pair, no one could defy our beauty and power" The "Mouse" replied creeping ever closer to her.
"Yuki" whispered the confused girl. But yuki hushed her until he scrambled atop her and kissed her cheery lips.
Tohru fell back into her misty memories from yesterday with Kyo. Kyo had done so much for her, cooking when he hated doing so. Kyo's apology, his hug, carrying her home. Kyo...Kyo...Kyo....
She then felt Yuki's lips leave hers, sucking her back into reality. Without a moments hesitation she pushed Yuki off heading to the bath chambers.
Yuki only grinned evilly. "Tohru, I will make you love me" He then quietly exited the room, and returned to his own bed.
Tohru cleaned and prepared breakfast as fast as her hands would go. She set the table and began cooking so rapidly, it was like she was in a hyper mode. She wanted desperately to get far away from this house, it was creeping her out. At one point, she spilled hot grease on her hand and she screamed out, hot tears in her eyes. Without a moment passing, someone was wrapping a cold cloth and bandages around her hand. Momiji's eyes stayed on Tohru's damaged hand, trying to finish before the other's scampered down the stairs.
"You'll be okay Tohru." Momiji replied, finishing up the bandage, knotting the final bow. He rubbed her hand delicately. "It's okay TorTor" he spoke soothingly wiping away her tears. "You better go, before the other's question you" They both could already hear the heavy pounding of feet on the stairs.
Tohru hugged Momiji thankfully, completely forgetting the curse. "POP" In her arms now rested Bunny Momiji "EEEP" Tohru could hear everyone approaching. She grabbed her coat, Momiji still in her arms, and she ran out the door. She left everything in the house the way it was, dishes not washed, the food hardly prepared, she felt so guilty, but there was too much drama for the innocent girl. Just too much to handle.
Across Town
Ou and Hana were gently rising from their sleep. Hana had bene mediating for an hour locked in deep concentration. Ou was yawning and stretching loudly as she jump out of bed, you could see Hana grow an annoyance symbol above her head, but said nothing, it was practically second nature.
It was a peaceful Saturday, no school and a day to hang out. The house smelt of Hana's incenses, and you can feel Ou's lively karma. Most would find it unorthodox for two young girls to be living out on their own, but this was the best for Ou and Hana. Two total opposites of people, had to learn to live together and pay rent. It was like a party.
Hana lifted her head breaking her concentration, and Ou lifted her head from her magazine.
"What's wrong Hana?"
"Someone is coming."
"Who?"
"Tohru. She is coming. Something is wrong Ou, Tohru is crying. Why is she crying? Someone is with her, who I am unsure of"
A moment later there was rapid frantic pounding of fists against their door. Hana quietly rose and opened the door gently.
"I sensed you Tohru-chan. Come in and rest"
Tohru entered quietly, still whimpering, and OU appeared with a tray of herbal teas. The three sat down around their traditional Japanese table.
"Who's the bunny?" Ou asked stupidly, seeing the rabbit ((Momiji)) in Tohru's lap.
Both Tohru and Momiji stiffened and water droplets appeared.
"Hehehe Oh I'm just watching this cute little guy for a while, its Momiji's, but he had some stuff to attend to today."
Hana gently stroked the bunny and Ou fed him a carrot, which allowed Momiji to relax.
I'm glad Tohru came up with a believable excuse. I just hope she finds a way to get me out of here so I can "POP" without them seeing.
"Why are you saddened Tohru?" Hana asked concerned.
"Yeah Kiddo, what's bumming?" Ou asked
Tohru put down her tea, and revealed her burned and blood stained hand.
"I just slipped while I was cooking. Silly me. I'm feeling better though. I'm as healthy as an ox!"
Ou raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"She does not lie. Tohru has her energy back" Hana replied. Tohru smiled, she need not spoil their happiness with Shigure's sending her away.
Momiji curled up in Tohru's lap sighing and then licked at her bandaged hand,. Tohru smiled kindly, and rubbed the back of his ears.
"So, do you have any plans Tor?" Ou asked after finishing her tea
"I'm free today. I finished the house work early" another lie
"Great, we'll do a Three Amigos Saturday!" Ou shrieked joyfully
"Delightful" Hana added
Momiji's ears picked up "Leaving? Public? Three Amigos?" Momiji squirmed in Tohru's arms. Tohru held him gently
"I'm bringing Momiji...err I mean Momiji's bunny" Tohru replied cheerfully
"No prob"
The three girls left the house a quarter past ten. Hana, surprisingly the oldest, drove the girls to the mall. Their beaming smiles and innocent giggles brought the mall to life. For a while, they walked the main wall window browsing.
Tohru treated the girl's to warm Churros ((Yum)) and she broke off a piece and fed it to Momiji. He nibbled at it quickly, and Tohru had to wipe the sugar away from his whiskers.
"I'm am sorry for this Momiji, but just try to let me know when its time to pop"
Momiji only twitched his bunny whiskers and licked her nose playfully. Tohru only giggled again and stroked his ears, finishing off the rest of her Churro.
"Hey Tohru! Stop daydreaming and let's go!" Ou called motioning her hand to come.
Tohru squeezed momiji close and ran to catch up. The three entered a store called Fashion Bug. They stormed the sale racks and soon entered the fitting rooms. Tohru thought ahead, pulling off some outfits for Momiji try on just incase he "Popped". Tohru wasn't to sure what to do with Momiji. When she came up with her plan it was elaborate but a stretch and she prayed that she could pull it off.
She set up a pair of shoes by on the inside of a fitting room door. It gave the illusion someone was using the room. She then locked it from the inside. Tohru sat with Momiji for a while in his dressing room.
Her continuous strokes seemed to trouble Momiji, and he flipped over on his back and wiggled trying to play. Tohru smiled and nuzzled her face against his soft bunny fur. Tohru left Momiji in the pile of close, as she slid back into her own private changing room.
Tohru slipped on a white blouse and examined herself in the mirror. Tohru is a very conservative girl, but the blouse was definitely complimenting her slender figure.
"Ou, Hana, can I have your opinion on this?"
The three girls exited their rooms, and Tohru circled modeling the shirt.
"Oh Tohru you look so cute! But you definitely need a skirt to match"
"Take this" Hana replied, handing Tohru a light green colored skirt. Tohru smiled joyfully and returned to her room, a moment later she reappeared and Ou and Hana nodded in approval. She laughed and gave a small curtsy.
In the end, Tohru and the others left the room to purchase their clothes. Tohru returned to the dressing rooms just in time to see a cloud of dust, Momiji must have "popped"
The girl knocked on the door, and Momiji appeared in a black turtleneck and kaki-colored cargo pants. He was also wearing the shoes she had picked out, Momiji looked very cute. He looked at Tohru and grinned.
"Well that was a fun experience"
"I'm really, really sorry Momiji" Tohru replied bowing
"Don't worry! Today was great, I was treated like royalty. I loved spending time with you. You even picked out an outfit for me!"
Tohru rubbed the back of her head embarrassed, but Momiji just went up to the counter and paid for the clothes he was wearing, which caused the cashier to give him a bewildered look, but he only laughed and walked beside Tohru as they exited the store.
"Ou! Hana! I found Momiji in the store!" Tohru called to her friends pulling Momiji by the arm.
"Hey MoMo" Ou called, that being his nickname.
"Greetings" Hana replied bowing
"HELLO!" Momiji replied chuckling
"Well Tohru; Hana and I have to head off to work" Ou replied sighing miserably, Hana nodded crestfallen as well.
"Thank you for today you two! I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have best friends like you guys" Tohru exclaimed hugging her two best friends.
Momiji stood from a far, watching Tohru embrace her friends. His smile slowly faded away, he wished he could feel that love. He could only feel for a moment before he "popped". Momiji wanted to hold TOhru, or any female in his arms and hold on forever. Not even his own mother, could embrace him without the curse taking affect. Tohru's friends disappeared into the crowd, and Tohru turned to face him. She smiled brightly and the sparkle had returned to her olive eyes.
"Let's go Momiji. I'm done shopping. I've probably fallen behind on the chores"
Momiji nodded taking her bags from her hands. He placed them aside and sat her down on a bench. Delicately, he unraveled the bandages upon her hand. Tohru grimaced and looked away, and Momiji frowned seeing how raw and severed her hand had become.
Momiji took out another new cloth, and laved it in disinfectants and soothing cosmetics. He then wrapped the gauze pad around her hand, and tied it tight once more. He patted her hand when he finished and cocked his head to the side winking.
"All better! Let's go home now, but let me check up on your hand again tomorrow okay TorTor"
"Sure MoMo, whatever you say. But I had no idea you were so handy with medicine and aid" Tohru chirped.
"Its no biggie, someone had to bandage Kyo and Yuki after the beat the shit out of each other" He laughed
"Well I'm still eternally grateful"
After a moment of their silence, they both smiled and laughed. They both then stood and left the mall. And maybe, maybe Tohru left her troubles behind with those old bandages.
Author's Note
Well that's Chapter 5. Talk about a close call with Momiji. Those two might end up being great friends. Momiji is so innocent, just like Tohru. What is Yuki scheming? Dramatic Music