This chapter might be a little confusing towards the end. But you'll finally be able to understand why the old members are still cursed. After the second break the story goes into a dream sequence so don't worry when the story doesn't seem to go with the rest of the story line.
Thank you everyone for the wonderful reviews, they really make my day.
Disclaimer: Nope I still don't own Fruits Basket. I do however own my original characters and would appreciate you asking before you use them. Kay?
Chapter 11: Nightmares
Yukiko smirked triumphantly as she sat at the table sipping her tea as the four men walked into the room. She lowered her glass and looked at her father and Tomi. A large smile spreading across her face when she noticed the defeated look on Tomi's face. "Yukiko, I wish to speak to you." Hatori said quietly as he removed his coat and looked at the young woman who gave him an odd look. "Fine." She said coolly as she stood up and walked by Tomi all the while giving him a large smile.
Tomi sighed as the two left the room before making his way over to the table and setting down. His head was still spinning from Yukiko's kick. "You alright?" Yuki asked looking at him from where he was leaning against the door frame. "Yeah." Tomi said propping his head up on his arms. "That's good." Yuki said with a nod before turning his attention to Ritsu who Kazuki was currently trying to prop up at the table.
"So Ritsu what brings you out this far?" Yuki asked calmly looking at his cousin who was now setting at the table, his head buried in his arms. "I'm sorry; I just wanted to come by for a visit. But look at all the trouble I've caused." He sobbed his head still down.
"Well, trouble does seem to follow you." Kasuki added happily. Both Yuki and Tomi slapped their foreheads at the comment. "I'M SO SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO CAUSE ANY TROUBLE. IN FACT I'M LEAVING RIGHT NOW! I'M SO SORRY!" Ritsu yelled as he spazed around the living room. Kazuki sighed as he realized what he had done. "Calm down Ritsu, I was only joking." Kazuki muttered while rubbing the bridge of his nose. Ritsu continues to spaze. Kazuki sighs as the monkey runs by him before poking him in the side. Both Yuki and Tomi sigh in relief as Ritsu lies on the floor.
"Alright, back to what I was saying." Yuki began as he gave a dirty look to Kazuki who shrugged and gave him a sheepish smile. "So you came for a visit?" Yuki said looking at Ritsu who nodded as he looked down into his tea glass. "Well…Um…Yes, Actually I heard a rumor that Kyo had returned…I was hoping to say hello." Ritsu said timidly as he looked at Yuki who nodded. "Well I'm afraid that he already left. But I'm sure that Tomi won't mind telling his father that you said hello." Yuki said motioning to Tomi who nodded. Ritsu's eyes grew wide when he looked at Tomi. "Your Kyo's…." He began all the while looking like he was about to spaze out again.
"Anyways tell me Ritsu, how is Kiwa doing?" Yuki asked quickly trying to keep him from going crazy again. At hearing his daughter's name Ritsu blinked back to sanity and smiled at Yuki. "She's doing well, thank you. She'll be seven in a month." He said his normally timid voice beaming with pride. "Seven? Huh…Time certainly does fly." Kazuki said leaning back on his hands.
Ritsu nodded as he produced a picture from his kimono and handing it to Tomi. Who smiled as he looked down at the picture. Blinking in confusion as seeing a bright green eyed, yellow haired boy wearing a baseball jersey in the picture. "I'm sorry I thought this was a picture of your daughter not your son." Tomi said looking up at Ritsu only in enough time to see both Kazuki and Yuki waving their hands around wildly behind him.
They both stopped their antics and sighed as Ritsu once again began to spaze. "You see Tomi…" Yuki began while looking at the spazing Ritsu and placing a hand to his fore head. "Kiwa suffers from the same problem that Ritsu does. She's more comfortable dressing as a boy than she is dressing as a girl." Yuki said nodding towards the picture.
"Oh," Tomi said looking back down at the picture even though the signs were slight it was clear that this was a girl in boy's clothes. "Is she a member of the Zodiac?" Tomi asked looking back up at Yuki who shook his head. "No, technically she's not even a Somha. Ritsu adopted her when she was two." He explained sighing in relief as Kazuki finally calmed Ritsu down.
"Sorry bout that Ritsu," Tomi said handing him back the photo. "I think she's an adorable little girl. It looks like you've done a good job of raising her." Tomi said giving the monkey a wide smile that made him blush. "Thank you." Ritsu said as he took the picture back and replaced it in his Kimono. Tomi opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by the loud sound of yelling coming from the other room.
"What the Hell do you mean it doesn't count?" Came Yukiko's enraged voice from the other room. "Because, you were only sparring. If it had been a real fight, then yes it would have counted." Came Hatori's calm voice. Followed by an angry growl as the door was opened to reveal Hatori who blinked when he was suddenly pushed forward by Yukiko. Who stormed into the room fire in her eyes as she looked at Yuki and Tomi.
"This is all your fault." She yelled pointing at Tomi who blinked utterly confused as to what was going on. "I…um…" He stuttered looking at the young woman in front of him. She let out a small growl as she lunged at him.
She blinked in surprise when she found her father standing an inch front of her. "Yukiko, this has nothing to do with him. You knew that that wasn't a real fight, and it wouldn't count. If you want a real fight then fine, I'll fight you right here and now." Yuki said his violet eyes flashing as he looked into his daughter's eyes.
Yuki blinked when he felt something wet hit him in the face, he watched as Yukiko wiped her lips of the excess spit. "Go to Hell." She muttered as she turned and walked up the stairs. Yuki watched her before using the back of his hand to wipe away the spit from his face.
"Yuki?" Kazuki asked the first to recover from their shock. Yuki turned to look at the others before walking by them and outside. Hatori sighed as he sat down at the table and looked at the three men setting at the table. "It looks like Yukiko's attitude has gotten worse since my last visit." Hatori remarked looking at Kazuki who nodded. "Yeah, she's gotten a lot worse in the last few months." He said thinking for a moment. Hatori nodded looking at Tomi who was obviously confused.
"Don't worry you'll understand when the time is right." Hatori said giving the young man a small smile.
A few hours later…
Both Kazuki and Tomi are seen standing in the doorway saying good-bye to Ritsu and Hatori. Kazuki smiled as he turned to go back inside. "Man is Tohru going to be upset when she finds out that she missed both Hatori and Ritsu." He said as he placed both hands behind his head as Tomi closed the door. "Do you think Yuki's ok?" Tomi asked looking at the gray haired young man. Kazuki chuckled. "Yeah, if I know Yuki. He's probably out at his garden blowing off steam by pulling weeds." Kazuki said motioning towards the back door.
"Oh, what about Yukiko?" Tomi asked glancing up the stairs. Kazuki smirked as he followed his gaze. "Don't worry bout her, she's probably up on the roof staring up at the sky. And wondering why she can't be accepted." Kazuki said a far away tone in his voice. Tomi blinked slightly confused but shrugged as he started to go up the stairs.
"I'm gonna go take a nap." Tomi yelled over his shoulder. "Alright, hey while your up their check on Sachi for me ok?" Kazuki called from the kitchen. "Ok." Tomi called back as he walked by Yukiko's room.
He blinked when he heard voices coming from inside. (I didn't know she had a TV. in her room.) He thought as he quietly cracked the door open and peaked into the room. Smiling at what he saw. Yukiko is seen setting on her bed with Sachi on her lap a book in her hands as Yukiko read the pages over the little girls head. Tomi smiled wider as he slowly shut the door and walked on down to his room.
He awoke several hours later to the sound of Tohru calling him and the others to dinner.
Yuki can be seen standing in the middle of a dark room. He blinks several times trying to adjust his vision to the blackness. (Where am I?) He thought as he looked around the room. "Well look who's come to visit." Came a very familiar voice from behind him.
Yuki's violet eyes grew wide as he recognized the voice. "What are you doing here?" He asked the darkness. The voice laughed as Yuki turned trying to find the source. "It's been so long since I've seen you, my little Yuki. My how you've grown." The voice said happily as it seemed to circle him. Yuki gulped as he closed his eyes and shook his head. "Leave me alone." He whispered as he squeezed his eyes tighter and took several deep breathes. Upon not hearing anything from the voice he slowly opened his eyes.
"Now why would I do that?" Akito asked her face an inch inches from Yuki's. Yuki gasped as he fell backwards and began to scoot away from her. "Why are you scared of me Yuki? Maybe you need some more time in that little room of yours. You know which one I mean, the one I made just for you." She said smiling as she walked towards him.
"No, you can't be here your dead." Yuki stammered as he backed into an invisible wall. Akito paused for a moment thinking before a smile spread across her face. "It seems that I forgot about that. But thank you for reminding me. After all you should know." She said smirking as what she said struck a nerve.
Yuki's eyes grew wide when he felt something warm and sticky covering his hands. Slowly he raised his hands to look at the blood that was dripping from them. "Your hands are stained with blood, but not just mine Yuki. Oh no not just mine. But every one of the other zodiac members from your generation. Because of you they'll never be uncursed." Akito said as she began to laugh.
Yuki leant forward and clapped his blood covered hands to his ears in an attempt to block out the laughter.
Tohru learched from her bed when she heard a loud scream from the bed beside hers. Blinking the sleep from her eyes she looked over to find her husband flailing about wildly in the middle of a nightmare.
Reacting quickly she got out of bed and ran to his side. "Yuki? Yuki?" She cried as she sat on the edge of his bed and gently shook him awake. Yuki gasped as he woke up he looked around wildly before looking down at his hands. Tohru sat on the edge of the bed watching as her husband stared down at his hands.
"Yuki?" She asked quietly touching his shoulder pulling back when he flinched at her touch. "Yuki? Are you alright?" She asked once again giving him a worriedly look as he looked from his hands to her face. His normally intense violet eyes where clouded over and had a frightened look in them. " T-Tohru?" He whispered almost as if it were to good to be true.
"Yes, Yuki. I'm right here." She said soothingly having learned many years ago how to deal with his nightmares. Yuki nodded shakily as he looked back down at his hands. "She spoke to me. She said it was all my fault…" Yuki began as tears fell from his eyes as he brought his hands up to cover his face. Tohru blinked back tears as she watched her husband sob into his hands.
"Shhhh…It's alright. Yuki listen to me. What ever she said wasn't true. You know that, none of us blame you for what happened." She said soothingly as she reached over and gently began to brush his bangs. Yuki nodded as he removed his hands and looked at her his eyes still clouded. "It's alright." Tohru said gently as she carefully placed her hands on the side of his face. "Yuki, look at me it's alright." She said giving him a small smile. She was relieved when she noticed a small glimmer return to his eyes.
"Here lay down." She said as she let go of his face and patted the bed beside her. Yuki nodded as he laid down his head resting in her lap as she continued to gently brush his bangs. She smiled sadly as a few tears fell from her eyes as she watched him. "It's alright. I'm here." She whispered as she began to softly sing the lullaby she'd sung to Yukiko after countless nightmares.
I was so happy, you were laughing
With a smile that melts everything away
Spring is still far away, inside the cold earth,
Waiting for the time to sprout
For instance, even if today is painful
And yesterday's wounds remain
I want to believe that
I can free my heart and go on
I cannot be reborn
But I can change as I go on, so
Let's stay together always
Smile only at me
and touch me with those fingers
This simple desire is everlasting
I want things to be simple
Let's finally get across this sea of mournful sorrow
For instance, even if today is painful
Someday it will become a warm memory
If you leave everything up to your heart
I understand the meaning our living here
It is to know the joy of having been born
Let's stay together always
She smiled as she finished the song and looked down at her sleeping husband. The peaceful look on his face so different from the anguished one that had been in it's place a few minutes before. Her smile faded as memories began to flood her memory.
Flash Back
21 years earlier
Shigure's house is seen a light frost covering the ground outside while smoke billows out of the chimney. Inside the house is a busy as ever in the morning. Tohru is seen stirring one of the many pots on top of the small stove. "Awe…Our little flower is already up making breakfast for us." Shigure's sing song voice echoes through the kitchen as he walked through the door. Tohru smiled as she turned to look at him. "You'll make a fine bride!" He exclaimed making her blush. Even though she'd been living with him, Yuki, and Kyo for over three years it still flustered her when he made those comments.
"Oi…Leave her alone. Damned dog." Kyo grumbled as he adjusted the collar to his green over shirt as he walked over to the refrigerator and took out the milk carton. Tohru smiled at his defense against the older Somha. "Tohru Kyo's being mean to me!" Shigure whined looking at Tohru for sympathy. "If you'd leave Miss. Honda out of your constant flirting he might be nicer to you." Came Yuki's sleepy voice as he came down the stairs while rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Oh Yuki, we didn't wake you did we?" Tohru asked looking at the half dead mouse. "Hmmm? Oh no Miss. Honda, the stupid cat woke me up when he fell out of bed this morning." He grumbled giving Kyo a dirty look. Kyo who'd only been paying half attention choked on the milk he had in his mouth. " Yah, damned rat! I didn't fall outta bed. I tripped over one of his stupid books!" Kyo yelled his cat ears and tail appearing as he pointed accusingly at Shigure.
"Don't blame it on him, you stupid cat." Yuki growled leaning against the door frame for support. "Alright that's it rat-boy. Lets go!" Kyo yelled getting into a fighting stance. Yuki rolled his eyes as he looked at the cat. Tohru sighed as she looked between the two. ( Even after all these years they still fight.) She thought as the two continued to argue. The argument finally ended with Kyo storming up the stairs yelling something about calling him when breakfast was ready.
"Awe some things never change." Shigure remarked when the sound of Kyo's' door being slammed came from upstairs. "I hope he's alright." Tohru remarked turning back to her cooking. " Don't worry about him Miss Honda. You know he'll never change." Yuki said giving her a half asleep smile. Tohru blushed and shook her head. "You never know Yuki, everyone can change." She said with a smile that in turn made him blush. "Awe young love." Shigure said looking between the two before being hit in the head by Yuki. Tohru stood just as flustered as always.
"Anyways Miss. Honda what do you have planned for today?" Yuki asked trying to change the subject. "Oh well, actually I was planning on visiting Akito today." She said quietly knowing the reaction the other two would have. Both Yuki and Shigure stared at her in disbelief. "Tohru?" Shigure asked giving her an odd look. "I just want to ask her if it's alright that I stay with you while I attend one of the local colleges." Tohru explained her head down. Shigure and Yuki exchanged a glance before Shigure spoke. " Well, you know Tohru if it were up to us we'd let you stay with as long as you'd like. But knowing Akito, I'm not so sure about her." Shigure explained giving her a serious look.
"I know that Shigure. But I have to ask. If I don't stay here…I don't know where I'd go…" She began her eyes beginning to brim with tears as she thought about the recent loss of her Grandfather. She blinked surprised when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looked up to find Yuki standing with his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it Miss. Honda. No matter what Akito says you'll always be welcome here." Yuki said giving her a small smile. Shigure sighed as he looked at the two knowing full well what this was going to lead to.
" Thank you, Yuki." Tohru said giving him a small smile as she turned around to begin to put the food onto plates. " So Tohru when are you going to leave?" Shigure asked as he took one of the plates of food from the counter and began to carry it into the other room. "Oh as soon as I clean up the kitchen and make you guys some lunch." Tohru said happily as she followed Shigure with a few plates. " Oh our little Tohru takes such good care of us." Shigure exclaimed from the other room.
A few hours later Tohru is seen coming down stairs while pulling on her coat. She sighed she was running later than she'd hoped, but at least she'd gotten all the chores she'd planed to do done. So now she wouldn't have to hurry back from the main house to get them done. Yet for some reason despite her good mood she still had an odd feeling about this meeting. She was currently thinking about this while putting on her shoes when the door opened and Yuki walked inside. He smiled as she looked up at him form where she was setting.
" Oh hello, Yuki." She said cheerfully giving him a large smile. Yuki nodded and returned the smile. "I thought you'd already left." He said as he watched her adjust her shoes and stand up. "No I just finished cleaning. But I'm ready to go now." She said enthusiastically as she began to walk by him. " Umm…Miss Honda? I've already got my coat on, that is if you don't mind me going with you." Yuki asked turning to look at her. Tohru blinked as she looked at him. " Oh no Yuki, I can't ask you to do that. You hate the Main House, don't worry I'll be fine." Tohru said striking one of her normal wanting to look strong poses. Yuki chuckled as he walked over to her. "It's alright, Miss Honda. I can stand going to Main House. As long as I'm with you." He said giving her a large smile before he walked out the door. Tohru blushed as she continued to stare at where he'd been standing.
Tohru gulped as she sat on her knees in the middle of Akito's room. The young head of the family was lounging outside on the porch. She sighed as she slowly rose to her feet and turning to look at Tohru while adjusting the top of her kimono. " Tell me again Miss Honda. What was it that you wanted to speak to me about?" Akito asked striding over and setting down in her seat and looking at Tohru who bowed her head.
" I was wanting to ask you if it was alright if I stay at Shigure's house while I attend one of the local colleges? It'll only be for a year or so…until I can get enough to move out." Tohru rambled looking up at Akito who smirked as she looked outside. Tohru blinked when the young woman didn't answer her. " Akito?" Tohru asked quietly blinking when Akito whipped her head in Tohru's direction and locked her with an icy stare.
" Why should I even answer you? You know what my answer is going to be." Akito snapped as she stood and walked in front of Tohru and looked down at her. Tohru looked up at the head of the family. "Please Akito, if you say no…" Tohru began but was cut off when Akito' s hand connected with the side of her face. Tohru not expecting the blow took the full force of the hit which knocked her onto her side.
Akito smirked sadistically as she stood over the stunned girl. " You stupid girl. Did you honestly think I'd let you live with them? Allow you to take them even farther from me?" She asked as Tohru slowly, painfully, raised her head to look at Akito. " Please Akito, I have no intention of taking anyone away from you. I only want to stay with my family." Tohru pleaded while tears rolled down her cheeks as she held her injured cheek.
Akito growled as she looked at Tohru a deadly glint entering her eyes. " Shut up! They are not your family, they never will be! Do you understand me?" Akito roared as she lashed out with her foot and caught Tohru in the right side of her chest. Tohru let out a small, painful cry as the air was knocked out of her as she hit the wall hard.
Yuki who'd been standing outside the door waiting for Tohru to return. He sighed uneasily as he leant against the wall across from the door. He remembered his words from earlier, he'd meant every word. No matter what Akito said he would make sure that Tohru had some where to stay. He blinked when he heard a small painful cry come from inside Akito's room followed by a dull sounding thud. With out another thought Yuki lounged at the door and flung it open.
Tohru laid on the floor, despite the dull throbbing pain in both her head and ribs she was vaguely aware of the sound of a scuffle, followed by the dull sound of something hitting the wooden floor. With a small cough she slowly opened her eyes, blinking several times to remove both the blurriness and the tears from her vision. Slowly she sat up using the wall for support, noticing for the first time that she was having trouble breathing. Akito's kick had obviously bruised, or cracked her ribs. It was then that she heard a small sob come from nearby. When she turned her head in the direction of the noise what she saw totally took her by surprise.
Akito was laying face down in a pool of her own blood, one of her arms bent at an odd angle underneath her. For a moment all the pain left Tohru as she looked at the head of the family. It was then that she noticed the person kneeling next to her body. Yuki was kneeling on his knees looking down at his blood covered hands. His normally bright violet eyes are wide as tears flowed down his face as he stares down at his hands.
Tohru jerked slightly as the sound of the alarm went off. Breaking her out of her memories. She blinked several times as she turned to look at the alarm clock which read 5:30 a.m. Careful not to wake Yuki she slowly climbed off his bed and began to make her way down to start breakfast. It was time to start a new day. And leave the memories of the past to another long night.
Well that's it for Chapter 11. I hope you all read and enjoy. And once again I apologize for the long interval, hopefully with your help I'll be able to update more frequently. I know how the next chapter's going to go…two more zodiac members are going to be introduced. Yay!
Anyways I hope that this chapter clears up why the old members are still cursed. If you have any questions please ask them. In either your reviews or as I said email me anytime, my email address is at the top of the page.
Until Next Time. Happy Trails.
DragonGirl4