Chapter 5: Alone
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
AN: ACK! I've never actually read all the manga...I've only managed to download up through manga 5. .; I didn't even Know Yuki's mom existed beyond the readers imagination, so there are some liberties I probably took that might be a little ooc...eto...ano...oh well.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
The atmosphere around the house had grown somewhat darker than normal. Everyone was looking behind their back, never entirely certain what they would find. Tohru, who had almost stopped smiling altogether, was afraid to go outside.
No one had told her yet.
Everyone was to afraid to.
Why was everyone afraid?
Because there were not many things that could cause Akito to pale. If he was afraid, then the rest of them should be downright terrified.
It was a Sunday. Tohru, Yuki, and Kagura had woken up early, going out to the secret base to care for it. Well, in reality, Tohru and Kagura were the ones that were doing the work. Yuki was standing vigilantly as a guard, eyes drawn to where the leaves rustled. His eyes were constantly roaming, while he silently prayed that she wouldn't come back.
Tohru had noticed the change in atmosphere over the past few days and although she wished she could smile, bring the same light into their home, somehow she knew it was impossible until this situation was resolved. She rather wished she could leave, so that her promise would be upheld.
When they were done, Yuki escorted them back to the house. He saw Tohru pause and glanced behind them. That was the first time he caught a glimpse of the person who was terrorizing Tohru. He froze.
Tohru saw the woman again and saw the fireworks going on between she and Yuki. She held her breath. "Yuki-kun..." She whispered.
Suddenly, the woman's violet eyes pinned her down. "Remember my words? I suppose I shall have to prove that I spoke the truth, now..."
"Go away." Yuki whispered, his eyes narrowing.
She looked at him, her expression haughty. "Shut up."
He bit his lip, looking away. He could already feel the electric shocks in his mind, running down his spine, freezing his limbs, rendering him unable to move. "Stop..." He whispered, forcing his hands into fists. "MOTHER LEAVE US ALONE!" He finally yelled, as loud as he could.
A moment later, she was gone.
Tohru attempted to catch Yuki on his way to the ground, but sure enough, POOF! She turned into a mouse, and had to leave it to Kagura.
Kagura sighed, supporting Yuki, who had Tohru clinging to his chest.
Tohru made a solemn decision that moment.
She had to leave the Sohma house.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Yuki bolted upright feeling a soft hand touch his face. He was met with Ayame's concerned eyes. He frowned, noting his brother's eyes were red, and he held a piece of paper in his hands.
"Yuki..." Ayame began, swallowing. "You have to stop her..." He said softly.
"Stop what? Stop who!" He looked around the room and saw Kyo who was looking anywhere but at him.
Kagura stepped forward. "She's going to leave, Yuki, you have to stop her."
Yuki struggled to his feet. He still felt weak. He wasn't strong enough. He wasn't strong enough to protect her. He forced himself to walk to her room, finding her folding her clothing. "Where are you going?"
She jumped, startled. She felt guilt try to overwhelm her and turned a bit, looking at him. "You're okay..." She smiled sadly. "I was so worried..."
He closed the door behind him, his strength coming back slowly. "So worried..." He gave her a condescending smile. "That you were going to leave while I was unconscious? You were going to leave without a word?" He leaned against the door, looking at her. There were still smudges of dirt on her face. "You must have been truly worried..." He said sarcastically.
She looked at him in shock. "I..." She looked down, a tear falling down her face. Not the first, and probably not the last. "It's not like I want to go...but..." She looked at the ground. "Yuki-kun, if I'm gone, then your secret wont get exposed..." She was afraid for him. She didn't want to see him how he was just a few short hours ago.
He took the few short steps towards her, grabbing her shoulders, shaking her gently. "I don't care about the family secret!" He whispered fiercely. "Even...even if everyone finds out...as long as you're with me...it's okay."
She felt an ugly flush color her face. Another tear rolled down her face. She didn't want to leave. She wanted to stay by his side, but she couldn't let that woman frighten him anymore. He had looked more terrified than when he had seen Akito with her at school that first time.
He closed his eyes, resting his forehead on her shoulder. "Please..."
"I...I don't want that woman to hurt you." She whispered softly.
He swallowed hard, straightening, turning her to face him. "Tohru, if you leave this house, she wins. I..." He took a deep breath, forcing himself to look in her eyes. "I don't think I can face her again without you..." He watched the tear roll down her face and lifted his hand, brushing it away. "You give everyone in this family strength, you are our livlihood." He paused.
"Yuki-kun..." She whispered, blushing furiously. She had to leave, but she wasn't sure she could go on without being here. She was so happy here before this all began.
"I remember...the last time you left us. That time...you hadn't stayed with us very long...now..." He shook his head. "Tohru, I don't want to be alone again." He whispered, searching her face. She was blushing, her eyes lowered shyly.
"Demo...I..."
"No." He said firmly. "Promise me. Promise you wont leave me here alone!" He demanded, forcing her gaze to his.
She met his face, seeing all the turbulent emotions in his eyes. She could never deny him anything, didn't he know that. She blinked a tear away. "I promise..." She whispered.
Happiness surged through him and he pulled her as close as possible, kissing her firmly on the lips. Everything, all the stress and fear drained out of him when their lips met. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, hold her against him, know what it was like to hold someone. But that wasn't possible. He slowly moved both hands to her face, cupping it gently. He pulled away, looking into her big blue eyes. "Arigatou..." He whispered.
She stared at him, wide-eyed, seeing him smiling again. Smiling for the first time in days. Her heart throbbed and she uncrossed her fingers. It was worth a white lie...to see him smile at her like that.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Yuki woke up the next day to someone crying. He turned his head and saw Kagura hugging Kyo and sobbing like her heart was broken. Kyo wore a stricken expression on his own face. He held Kagura, trying to comfort her.
Yuki slowly sat. He looked around the room and saw everyone wore odd expressions on their face. Hatori's back was to the rest of the room, and he was pinching the bridge of his nose. A sign that told Yuki he was trying to keep his own feelings from manifesting themselves.
Ayame and Shigure's eyes were ringed with red.
"What's wrong!" Yuki demanded.
Kagura looked at Yuki, then pressed her face back into Kyo's chest.
"Yuki...It's Tohru..." Kyo began softly. He saw disbelief cross the boy's face and knew this was going to be a blow that the boy couldn't defend against. He didn't know how to tell him.
"Tohru-kun...she..." Shigure began, then he and Ayame clung to each other, bursting into loud sobs.
Yuki felt the color drain from his face. "Where's Tohru!" He demanded. She couldn't have left. She promised. She promised him she wouldn't leave him alone!
"She's gone, Yuki." Hatori said softly. "She's gone."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Tohru slowly unpacked her belongings in the small room her grandfather had seen made up for her. She had left in the middle of the night, calling the house in the early hours of the morning. Her grandfather had been overjoyed that she was returning to live with them.
Her aunt and uncle were far less accomidating. Her cousins were worse.
They had made up a large closet for her to sleep in. There was a cheap guest futon laid out on the floor. She had laid down and fallen asleep on it, not waking until her small alarm clock beeped her awake. She stood, getting ready for school. Then, she remembered, she couldn't go there anymore. Besides, it would hurt too much, especially after she had lied to Yuki.
She had crossed her fingers while making her promise. An action that she knew would nullify it.
She couldn't stay there and risk the exposure of their secret.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Kyo and Kagura fixed breakfast that morning. After all, they were the most kitchen capable. Yuki had disappeared not long after he had learned the news. They hadn't seen him since.
Shigure sat at his computer, and closed his eyes, and when they opened, he began to type the words to his latest story onto the screen. A story that had no ending yet. A story that he wasn't sure how to end. He hoped Yuki and Tohru would fix that...or he'd have to find less interesting characters.
Hiro and Kisa sat in the main room, the former holding the later while she cried for her onee-chan.
Ayame sat silently on Tohru's bed, holding his sketchbook, looking at the design he was trying to work on. A beautiful dress. After all, the kids had prom coming up and he couldn't disappoint Tohru-kun. While he worked, Mine cleaned the room diligently.
Hatori was silent during Akito's check-up. Both of them were lost in thought. They couldn't believe she had just left. She hadn't left a word, she had just disappeared into the darkness.
Yuki sat in his garden, looking at the strawberry bush he'd planted for Tohru. His eyes were red. His chest hurt. Tears still filled his eyes, falling down his cheeks. When had he last cried for someone like this?
It had been years.
He had shakily reached out to his pillar of strength, silently begging the older boy to take him away with him. Only to have the person turn away, leave him.
It had happened once again...and now he didn't know what to do.
"Tohru..." He whispered, lowering his head, another tear rolling down his face.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Tohru looked up from the mop bucket. "Yuki-kun?" She could have sworn she heard his voice. She could have sworn she heard him call out to her. She felt horribly miserable suddenly. The mop fell from her hands and clattered to the floor. She ran to the phone.
Her shaking hands misdialed the number several times before successfully executing it. It rang three times before Shigure's voice answered. "Shigure-san!" She gasped, feeling panic overwhelming her.
"TOHRU-KUN!"
He sounded shocked.
"Is Yuki-kun there!" She asked. She glanced out the window. It was starting to rain. He could get sick if he was caught in this!
"No, he's been gone...since he found out about you leaving...Tohru-kun, why did you go!"
"Because...I can't have your family's secret exposed because of me." She said softly. "I'm sorry. Tell Yuki-kun...tell him..."
"Wakatta."
She closed her eyes. "Send someone out to find him...I think he'll be at his secret base...It's raining...I...I don't want him to get sick."
There was a long moment of silence. "Okay, I will. Where are you?"
"With..." She covered the mouth piece. Her cousins were yelling at her to finish her chores. "I'm with my grandpa." She said. "I gotta go, I have to finish my chores..."
"Tohru-kun, wait a second-"
She hung up, just as her cousins came storming into the room, their faces angry.
"YOU IDIOT! What the hell is this bucket of water doing in the middle of the floor!" The boy asked, kicking it, sending water across the floor.
"You better hurry and get this house cleaned up, or you're gonna get it when mom and dad get home." The girl snapped.
Tohru bowed, feeling tears pierce her eyes. "Hai...I will."
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Yuki heard someone calling him and looked up, seeing his brother carrying an umbrella. "Ayame?" He asked softly. "Please, leave me alone."
Aya-san sighed, shaking his head. "Ah, I would, dear brother, but the angel called, worried for your health. Shigure promised her we'd bring you inside."
He felt a bit faint. "Tohru...she called?" He asked, standing, feeling his knees trembling. That's right...he hadn't eaten yet...
Ayame watched his brother's eyes roll back and caught him carefully. He shook his head, picking him up and carrying him back to the house.
When they got there the older members of the family were deep in discussion about what should be done. Ayame set Yuki down, slapping him awake. Kyo came out, dropping a bowl of what vuagely resembled soup in front of him.
Yuki was so hungry, it could have been dog food.
"What do you think we should do, Akito? She's your sister." Hatori pointed out.
Akito looked at the ground, rather annoyed that this would fall upon him, being related to that witch. "There's not much we can do. We don't know where she is."
"How about we start with the main problem. I dunno, like her threat." Shigure held his cup so tight, Ayame was mildly worried he would break it.
Kyo leaned against the wall. "You know, we could always just...let it slip ourselves. Then she loses her leverage, right?"
"Let it slip how!" Akito asked, his eyes annoyed. "We've kept this secret for years!"
Ayame felt a wide grin spread across his face. "Well, then perhaps it's time to let the cat out of the bag...figuratively speaking of course." He added, upon seeing the rather annoyed glare he was receiving from Kyo. "This is a completely fabulous, scandalous, unbelievable secret! It's a media FIELD DAY!"
The head of the house sipped his tea, frowning slightly. "You have a point..."
Yuki lifted his gaze. "Huh?" Expose the family secret! Why were they going this far? Blue eyes filled his mind and he took a deep breath, knowing that if it meant she could come back, he would tell the entire world. He looked into the soup for a long moment, then back at Ayame. "You know, Onii-chan...sometimes, you actually have half-decent ideas."
"OHOHOHO! Of course I do! It's what made me such a wonderful class president back in high school!"
Everyone rolled their eyes. Ayame was such a weirdo.
"Now, here's the plan...it's going to take a few days to pull it off to the best possible effects, but that's okay! We'll soon have our Tohru-kun back and everything will be right as rain all over again!"
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
Tohru listened to her cousins argue over what to watch on TV, and sighed, continuing to sweep the floor. Although she had only been gone from the Sohma house for a few days, almost a week, it felt like forever. After all, even though she was doing all the same chores she'd done there, this family had no appreciation for all the work she did.
She closed her eyes, until a familiar voice caused her head to jerk upright.
"Hello."
She looked around, uncertain where the voice was coming from. It sounded just like Akito, the family head. Slowly her eyes moved to the TV and she saw him standing in front of a podium. "Akito-san?" She whispered.
"I am here today, to clear up some speculations that suround my family, and to put an end to all the rumors of homosexuality, vampirism, and..." He looked down at his notes. "Ah, yes...members of my family spontaneously changing into animals when embraced by members of the opposite sex."
"He isn't..." Tohru whispered.
Her cousins stopped their argument to look back at her.
"Most of these rumors are absolutely false. Except for one. My family..." He paused, then glanced towards Hatori, who nodded. "Bears a curse. It has been there, handed down from generation to generation for many years. That curse we call the Junishii curse."
Tears filled Tohru's eyes. They were telling the world? Why would they go so far? It couldn't just be for her-
"When embraced by the members of the opposite sex, or when we become extremely weakened, we change into one of thirteen animals from the Junishii legends."
Laughter errupted, and Ayame stepped forwards. "This is not a joke." He said, then pulled Mine up beside him, pulling her into a tight embrace.
Before the entire world...Ayame turned into a snake.
A tear fell down Tohru's face. "Aya-san..."
Yuki stepped forward, looking at Akito, putting a question into his eyes.
Akito nodded and stepped backwards.
"My name...is Sohma Yuki. Some of you know me from school. I am also one of the thirteen aflicted by this curse. I am here to implore someone to come back to us. She left because she was told if she didn't leave, our secret would be exposed. Well, we just exposed it ourselves. So..." He lifted his gaze to the camera. "Honda Tohru, I beg you, it's time to come home."
Her cousins gasped, staring at the TV screen. Their eyes went to her and they saw tears falling down her face. "MOM, DAD! TOHRU'S FRIENDS ARE FREAKS!" They jumped up, running from the room.
Tohru did the same, except she ran in the opposite direction.
She was out the front door and down the stairs in no time.
She left so fast, she forgot to make sure she had something very important with her.
Something that rested on the floor in the closet beside her bed.
The amulet.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
AN: Another chapter done. I could have made this two very short chapters, but I like it better this way. Anyways, love it, hate it, please review me.