Disclaimer: I own nothing. Too lazy to write much else....
Last Chapter
Uo and Hana let out terrified shrieks, and the boys all yelled as well. Kyo had only missed her by a millisecond, maybe a second more and he most definitely would've had her. Tohru fell from the bridge to the water down below, instantly pulled away by the water. Everyone looked downstream for her head, and it popped up at the surface, but she was dragged under again, they waited another moment, but she didn't come back up. Everyone had been so focused on Tohru, that they hadn't seen Kyo jump from the bridge, and they all turned around in shock hearing a splash.
Chapter 15
Tohru had been swept down the river at an extreme pace. Tohru could not keep her head above the surface for more than a moment's gasp of air. She flailed about, caught within the grasps of the current, and at times found herself being forced upside, or in awkward positions.
At times she slipped down miniature falls, and prayed so dearly that there would be a lull in the current, but there was no such luck. Tohru was slammed up against many of the jagged rocks, and even felt her head slam against one.
For those moment she could reach the surface, she found she could no longer see the bridge, or hear the echoing screaming of her friends. Tohru truly thought she was going to die, growing weary and having no control over her movements, she really thought she'd never survive.
The currents picked up their pace, and Tohru found herself deep under the water. The surface was right there before her eyes, but she couldn't reach it, her arms squirm trying to reach it, but it just didn't work. Tohru could not even scream for help, it was a worthless battle, she was at the brink of giving up. With each ticking second her oxygen was fading away, and she felt her limp body slam against more pain.
Eventually, her vision began to fade, and bubbles began to appear from her, her consciousness leaving her. Please don't let it end this way. Tohru did not feel someone take her by the waist or pull her up to the surface, she had already fallen into unconsciousness.
Hours past, she of course unaware of it all. Her dreams were only of memories, some of Kyoko, faded ones of her father, and a few of just everyday life. She'd replay the images of all the happy times, and the sad one's too, dark Haru, fights with Kyo, Momiji, Shigure, the birthday, Uo's fight, all played some sort of role in those dreams.
Tohru woke up, startled to hear someone whimpering and sobbing. She slowly regained her senses, and was amazed to find someone tightly embracing her. She took in a small breath, and felt someone's head against her chest and collarbone. Tohru didn't move, but only listened to the sniveling and crying from this person. They were whispering too, mumbling something over and over. "Tohru....please Tohru...you have to wake up...please...." Tohru slowly began to recognize the voice. She had not yet heard him in this tone, so mournful, but pleading, and in agony. His orange hair was matted against his face, dripping with water, everything was dripping wet. His face was so close to hers, and he probably didn't ever realize it. Tohru couldn't tell if it was tears, or just water that was running down his face. He lay half atop her, almost like hugging a teddy bear. He called to her again, and she sighed gently, her hand working its way up to his soft hair.
"I'm here" She whispered painfully, the impact of her little ride not yet fully taking in its affect.
He instantly lifted his head upon hearing her voice and feeling her gentle touch against him.
"Tohru...." he spoke so softly now, he was gentler then he usually was. Kyo took Tohru into his arms and hugged her so tight "I really thought I'd lost you. I'm so sorry Tohru. I couldn't make it to you in time. I was so afraid, and didn't mean to have..." Tohru only silenced him gently, wincing as he embraced her so tightly
"I'm fine...its okay Kyo....its okay" She whispered, unaware that she was crying. "Its okay to be afraid, no one is fearless....that was horrible Kyo, it was the same feelings, like when Kyoko died, and god Kyo" She only whimpered again trying so hard not to hug him, she wanted to, just to feel someone's embrace
"Stupid girl" he muttered gently holding me close, Tohru winced again and cried softly as he let go of me worried. "What's wrong?"
"Everything just hurts" she replied wearily, my eyes moving away from him. "What am I doing here?"
"We're about five miles downstream." Kyo whispered, still sitting on his knees beside me.
"You should really go dry those clothes somewhere, you wouldn't want to get a cold' Tohru whispered. Kyo only chuckled slightly, letting a small grin sneak across his face
"Stupid Girl" he chuckled again. He walked off, away from Tohru's view on the floor, and Tohru only closed her eyes again.
Kyo sat against the river's bank, now calm. He looked back up where Tohru was sleeping. His shirt was off laying beside him, basking in the sun. She was so afraid when she fell, Kyo wondered where everyone else was, and if they were looking for them.
Tohru's sweet sleeping, and Kyo's content resting was interrupted by the sound of a calling voice.
"TOHRU? KYO? WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?"
Tohru sat up from her spot wincing as she grabbed at herself again and Kyo ran over to her pushing her back down and he looked at her gently "Just wait okay, you're way too hurt" Kyo stood up and walked around the bend. Tohru was afraid being there alone, she struggled to stand up, wobbly as she went.
Tohru could feel every ounce of her hurt as she limped distressingly towards the bend that Kyo had left her behind. As she walked slowly, Kyo ran back around the corner with Yuki not far behind.
"Tohru what are you doing?" Kyo screamed angered and afraid.
"I...didn't want to be alone" She moaned tearing.
"Lady Honda" Yuki ran up to her just before she fell forward and he gently eased her back down. "Please rest Miss Honda, you're so frail." he whispered caressing her cheek.
"I'm fine Yuki...don't worry about me" She replied gently smiling with her loving eyes.
"Oh Tohru, please just go back to sleep, you have us all so worried"
Kyo during this conversation had found some wood or kindling, and had started up a small fire near Tohru. "Can't let her get cold" He barked to Yuki, answering the question that he hadn't even asked.
"Yes of course" Yuki replied as he scampered up to find more wood. After a while they had a nice sized fire going next to her, and Yuki had taken off his outer jacket for her to rest under, something for her to snuggle against, since she couldn't enjoy their own warmth. Tohru slept for a while, while Yuki and Kyo tried to catch some fish.
"How long have we been here?" Kyo asked Yuki slowly as he treaded in the water for some fish.
"It's nearly six o'clock at night. You guys were swept really far downstream. Five miles at the least, but there was no path for us to follow. I told the others to go find Sensei and the class, and I went to search for you two."
"Rat I'm worried, she doesn't look too good, she's in a lot of pain" Kyo replied as he darted his hand into the water pulling out a fish and throwing it onto the bank.
"I know she is, but I don't think anything is broken. She's more unstable then really injured." Yuki replied not looking at him
"I'm sorry you know" Kyo said gently. "I know you must be blaming this on me, for not getting to her in time" he added catching another fish.
"I do blame you, but I more so blame Kei and Haru. They wouldn't stop, no matter how much and even Tohru pleaded. You, you just didn't act fast enough, so its not entirely your fault, you're just part of the reason. If it had been me, I could've saved her"
"Well I'm sorry I let you down Rat alright! You know I didn't want this to happen. I was just...scared" he replied ashamed "I'm a cat, I don't do water, on top of that, I've had bad issues with heights"
"You go on our roof every night you Baka Neko" he barked
"This is different! I had a bad fall like that when I was a kid, and since then I was always afraid! You don't know my past you Rat. You don't know how much hell I went through. I'm an idiot for letting Tohru get hurt, but don't think I did it intentionally" He screamed
"That's right I don't know you and don't think I'm not going through my own hell. You're not the only one with a curse."
"Yeah, but and you're not the only one with a throbbing heart" Kyo shot back sadly. Yuki looked at him startled, but Kyo had already left with his fish. "Go to her, I'll just cook dinner." he replied walking off into the forest. "I need to find some other stuff for us to eat"
Yuki wasn't sure whether or not to be worried about the cat, but he would take this opportunity to his advantage. He walked over to Tohru, before awaking her he fed the fire, and sat down next to her, stroking her face. A small grin fell across her face before she opened her eyes gently.
"How long have I been asleep?" She asked him gently.
"About two hours." He replied
"That long, I must do something to help you two" She replied trying to sit up
"Tohru please, do not worry about us. You're in no condition to do anything but rest. I don't know how long it will take Sensei to find us. I was lucky to find you to begin with, its best if you just rest."
"Where's Kyo?" Tohru asked nervously
"He's out finding us some food"
"Will he be alright alone?" She asked worried
"Kyo spent many months in the mountains training alone, I'm positive he will be fine" Tohru let out a sigh of relief. Yuki took her gently, laying her head in his lap innocently, so he could better help her relax. "You really scared me," he started softly
"I did not mean to Yuki" Tohru whimpered "I was so horrified. The current was so fast, and I could only see the surface right above me. I couldn't breath, it was like someone was holding me down" she recalled those painful memories
"Its okay Tohru. You're safe now" Yuki answered. "Please though, don't ever leave us again Tohru, I could not bare the thought of you're departure"
"I'm not going anywhere for a long time." Tohru replied smiling
"I'm grateful you aren't" He smiled down at her.
Tohru turned over on her side, mostly just gliding her finger against Yuki's knee casually, as it trying to entertain herself. It sent shivers up Yuki's spine, feeling her sweet touch. He rubbed her shoulder lightly, and Tohru just wanted to sleep, but she couldn't help but worry about Kyo's whereabouts
"Yuki...Kyo's been gone a long time, shouldn't we go find him?"
"Tohru I'm sure Kyo is fine" He replied sternly
"I'm not so sure, I have this bad feeling" She replied weakly
"Bad feeling?"
"There's a heavy feeling on my heart, I really don't think he's okay. Something happened to him I know it" Tohru replied struggling to get to her feet
There's a heavy feeling on my heart "Why are you always so worried about that stupid cat?" Yuki replied angrily
Tohru turned to him confused "How could I not? He's part of the family, a Sohma."
"No he's not, he's not even part of the Zodiac"
"That past and the Zodiac don't matter. You may be cursed by the Zodiac and the past, but that doesn't mean it fully controls you. He's part of our family, and you're going to let the legends of the past guide your judgement then you're as lost in the mind as we are in this stupid forest" She turned away and started to limp for a thicket of forest.
Yuki stood in shock. Her words were harsh, and it showed Yuki that Tohru didn't care if they were cursed, to her, they were her family. It was a new sense, she honestly didn't care. When they first met, Tohru was some what troubled by it, but now, she's learned to put it aside, unlike Yuki who grasps onto it like a lifeline.
Tohru was disappearing into the forest, and he quickly sprinted after her taking her by the arm.
"You of all people should not be wandering the forest alone" Yuki replied gently. "Let me help you"
"Fine" Tohru replied, not angry, but just bland. The two wandered deeper into the forest Tohru calling out in search of Kyo "Kyo? Kyo where are you?" Yuki just walked along side her, not really calling out. Tohru was frantic, she couldn't lose Kyo in the woods. They would never find him. "KYO WHERE ARE YOU?" She screamed again.
Tohru looked up from the sky as she saw a flock of birds escape the trees a little farther ahead of them. Tohru took off in a sprint, which surprised Yuki again. Yuki frowned, she was pushing herself to the limits. Yuki quickly dashed after her
"What are you following Tohru?"
"Those birds left this area, it must mean something startled them. Something has to be out here" She replied pushing aside the bushes. Yuki was surprised that she would think so far into it to check this way. Tohru continued down her own path through the forest, still calling out Kyo's name.
"Where is that damn Cat?" Yuki shouted angrily, he was getting annoyed with this game of hide and seek.
"I told you he's in trouble, he wouldn't just disappear like this" She replied worriedly as she continued through the bushes. For a moment she stepped out of Yuki's view and moments later let out a screech.
Yuki quickly ripped through the forest until he was beside her "What's wrong are you hurt?"
Tohru could only run down the bank and kneel down beside a figure, and even Yuki was stunned to see it be Kyo. Tohru shook him gently, "Kyo, please Kyo wake up" She whimpered desperately. Kyo was flat on his stomach in the bank, and no one was sure if he fell or worse. In his hand was a string of fish, and in his other fist some squashed berries.
Yuki now felt a sting of guilt as he stood there looking down at the unconscious Kyo. Kyo had gone through a lot to save Tohru, and he brushed it off so he could spend time with Tohru. But Yuki looked up, as he heard a small voice from Kyo.
Tohru heard the voice and looked to Kyo with tears in her eyes.
"Stupid girl....I'm fine....just....tired...." he started weakly.
"Oh Kyo I never should've let you gone out here alone" Tohru began trying to not cry. Kyo only lifted a very shaky hand and wiped away one of her tears.
"Stupid...I'm fine....can I just...have a hug?" he asked grinning
"A hug?" Tohru asked aloud confused, and then she realized it. Tohru bent over him and smiled hugging him close. For a moment, Kyo could feel her warm touch, one he hadn't felt in a very long time, and then with a puff of smoke, he was a small tired cat in her arms. "Lets get you back to camp" She replied softly.
Tohru and Yuki walked back to the camp, Yuki carrying Kyo's close and the food, Tohru carrying Kyo and stroking the top of his head. Kyo would fall in and out of consciousness, so Tohru laid him atop her blanket, and draped another over the cat, just in case he were to change back suddenly, he could at least be, hidden.
She sat down beside him feeding the fire, and stroking his head. Tohru swore she heard purring, but every time she looked to Kyo, he was slumbering quietly.
"Here, eat this" Yuki handed her a fried fish.
"Thanks" She replied gently smiling and took a small nibble out of it. Tohru couldn't finish it, her emotions overpowering her hunger.
"You okay?" he asked nervously
"I'm fine Yuki, just, concerned. I don't want Kyo to get sick, I have no idea where we are, Teacher hasn't found us yet, Shigure has the adoption thing to work out, and Uo still hasn't said anything to me. It just all seems to be coming to mind since I have nothing to keep me occupied. When I'm busy, I don't worry as much"
Yuki brought her close putting his arm around her shoulder. "It's okay to be concerned, just don't make yourself sick with worry. Everything will work out fine in the end"
"I can't help it.....what if he gets sick...and dies like Kyoko did.....what if I lose Uo forever as a friend....I don't want to be alone again" she whimpered
"You're never alone. Remember what Shigure told you, the Sohmas are here for you too..."
"I know...I know..."
Both of them looked up after seeing a cloud of smoke, and found the human Kyo asleep under the blanket still, Tohru letting out an exasperated sigh, so grateful he was decent.
"Should we wake him up?" Yuki asked
"You can. I need to go for a walk" Tohru replied weakly standing up. She gave Yuki a small wave and disappeared into the woods.
"Cat, get up stupid, or at least put your clothes back on" Yuki replied throwing Kyo's clothes onto his face
"Huh? My god my head hurts" Kyo replied rubbing his head
"Well we did find you unconscious in a creek or something. Now put some pants on"
Kyo looked down at himself under the covers and gulped. Yuki walked off to turn the other way, and in a few seconds Kyo was all zipped up and looking at Yuki's back
"What happened to me?"
"I don't know, why don't you answer yourself?"
"I think I got sick or something." Kyo replied rubbing his head groaning
"Well Tohru doesn't want you to get sick because you saved her, so I suggest you go back to sleep."
'Where is Tohru?" Kyo asked looking around for her
'She said she had to go for a walk."
"Oh...hey where are my fish?" Kyo asked looking around
"Well, you were asleep, and Tohru and I were hungry"
"YOU ATE MY FISH!" Kyo screamed angrily
"Baka Neko, we saved you one" He pointed to the fish that was cooked next to the fire.
Kyo ate it hastily and then shook his head "Was I a cat or something?"
'Why would you ask that?"
"I just coughed up a hairball"
Author's Note
Well here's Chapter 15. I hope you all liked it. This chapter basically reunites Tohru with Yuki, and will be fun to have the Mouse and Cat together trying to find their ways out of the forest. What ever truly made Kyo faint? And is Tohru really alright with all the pain she's going through, physically and emotionally? Will Yuki ever make his move on Tohru? Find out soon! PLEASE REVIEW