Hello! Hello to one and all! Well here you go, the second chapter! The third chapter for this will be up really soon as well (it's half way done already) Take five seconds to review! It always encourages the author ; ) OK with that over with let the reign of chaos
begin!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the idea of this story and the
character Lian.
When Family Comes Calling:
She's Not What She Seems
Everyone stood stunned at what had occurred, or well, what hadn't occurred. Lian had fallen and Kyo had caught her, without going into the Pyon stage.
So now, much to his dismay, Kyo had a beautiful girl lying on HIS chest and was staring stupidly at her because this had never happened before.
Lian stared into the stranger's reddish eyes in surprise. This person had saved her from taking a fall and hurting herself further. Tilting her head in a curious manner to look at him better he only thought was "Why?"
A slight motion from the corner of her eye caught Lian's attention and when she turned to look she saw the object of her final quest, it was Tohru. Tears sprang to her eyes in happiness as she looked at her cousin.
A little worried that Lian hadn't said anything yet, it almost set Kyo into a full scale panic when Lian began to cry. Her next words that passed her lips stopped the rising feeling of panic though.
"Tohru, I found you" the young girl sobbed.
Kyo gently sat up and transferred Lian's grip to Tohru, as she came to sit at Lian's side. Kyo went to stand by Shigure and Yuki, as they all watched the two young girls reunion.
The three men smiled gently at the picturesque scene before them.
Tohru held Lian to her watching with gentle tear filled eyes as she slowly stroked the red strands of hair, comforting the girl she held. Lian held onto Tohru's waist with her head pressed to Tohru's midriff as the soothing motion of Tohru's hand and quiet murmuring voice lulled her into a peaceful stupor. Brown locks flowed into red and the rising sun behind the two gave them an aura of ethereal beauty.
Kyo and Yuki swallowed in nervousness at the two young girls sitting before them.
"Mah, Kyo why don't you take Lian to Tohru's room while I get everything put away here?" Shigure said gently.
Kyo was about to give a scathing retort when he heard Tohru speak.
"Thank you Kyo" Tohru said gently.
Watching the interaction between these men and her cousin, Lian decided that she could trust them, for a little while at least.
Kyo looked at the two girls watching him and gave a huff in defeat. He stalked over to Lian and was somewhat surprised when she lifted her arms trustingly to him. Kyo gathered the slim girl to him and snorted when she gave a slight whimper.
As Lian looped her arms around Kyo's neck she looked at him saying "I'm sorry, am I heavy?"
In typical Kyo fashion, when embarrassed retort loudly, he barked "of course!"
Lian gave a slight flinch and turned her eyes downward letting her white bangs cover her eyes, but not before Kyo saw the flash of hurt.
Seeing Lian's downcast eyes he said gruffly continued "but I'm strong so it's no problem."
Lian lifted her head to look at Kyo curiously before giving him a dazzling smile. Kyo faltered on the step, cursing when his stumbling caused Lian to whimper in pain. Tohru, trailing behind the two, smiled at how well they were getting along. Tohru then sighed knowing the two never really had it easy in life.
She could remember all the times when she and Lian were children, Lian
would always protect her.
Tohru remembered a particularly nasty fight that happened in the 6th grade. That was also when Lian's bad reputation began...
Tohru had been sitting in the yard of the school, under some trees, during lunch when a group of boys began surrounding her. She didn't know how Lian always knew when she was in trouble but, like at any other time, Lian suddenly appeared and placed herself between Tohru and the group of sneering boys. Seeing Lian in a ready stance in front of them the boys began to laugh, but not for long. Soon the boys were on the ground either whimpering or crying, while Lian stood above them panting, but still ready to fight if any of them got up. The leader of the group had looked up at Lian and began calling her inhuman and a monster.
Tohru had seen Lian stiffen at these words and a flash of pain streak across her features. Those emotions quickly disappeared beneath a mask of ice as she stared indifferently and the huddled group. Then Lian had said something that Tohru had never forgotten.
With narrowed eyes Lian said coldly "I'd rather be a guardian monster than a skulking human any day."
After that day many people began avoiding Lian and calling her monster, bully, and many other things behind her back.
Lian had always laughed it off saying that they were just jealous so Tohru had thought she was ok until, one day, she found Lian sobbing in the forest behind her house one moonless
night.
Despite what Tohru had seen through the shadows surrounding the distraught girl at that time she just wrapped her arms around her cousin while Lian cried and mumbled about how right everyone was. She was a monster.
Tohru had been at a loss for words so all she could think to say was "I would rather have a guardian monster for a cousin than a skulking human any day."
Apparently that was what Lian had needed to hear because her sobs slowly abated and the two girls had gone home closer than ever.
Tohru shook her head to free it from the fog of memories when they reached the door of her room.
Both Kyo and Tohru stood there until, visibly restraining his temper, Kyo ground out "the Door."
Tohru's eyes widened when she realized that since Kyo was holding Lian, he would be unable to open the door to her room.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" she blurted as she rushed to open the door. Once inside Tohru quickly went over to the bed and turned down the covers and smoothing down the sheets even thought they would just be messed up once Lian was put there.
Tohru heard Lian chuckle and turned her head to see her cousin watching her while her brilliant deep green eyes sparkled in amusement.
"Tohru will always be Tohru" Lian quipped.
Tohru laughed as she knocked herself on the head while moving aside so that Kyo could put her cousin into the bed. Once Kyo had lay Lian down on the bed Tohru quickly went to sit down on the side, taking Lian's hand in her own.
Not wishing to really disturb the two Kyo said "well since you're going to be here I guess I had better make breakfast before those other two burn down the house."
Tohru's head shot up as she looked at Kyo in dismay "no I'll go make breakfast, just give me a moment."
Kyo looked back through the doorway, glaring at Tohru as she began to rise from the bed "just for once do something for yourself and stay put!"
Seeing the two watching him Kyo sighed and quickly amended what he had just shouted "your cousin needs you so just stay with her."
Kyo turned to go down the hallway so he missed the understanding look that passed between the two girls before Lian nodded her head for Tohru to go. Tohru's eyes lit up and she sprang after Kyo's retreating form.
Lian was smiling indulgently after her cousin when, from the hallway, she heard two squeaks of surprise and a strange PYON sound.
Slightly worried Lian struggled to move a bit forward calling out "are you two ok?"
In the hallway a bit before the stairs Tohru looked down to the orange cat that was currently glaring up at her from a pile of clothing and said "we're ok I just ran into Kyo, literally."
Kyo just stalked off muttering about clumsy idiots while Tohru kept apologizing. Just over his muttering and Tohru's apologies Kyo could hear Lian snicker "Tohru IS Tohru."
When the two got to the bottom of the stairs they continued into the living room where Shigure and Yuki were waiting.
Seeing Kyo in cat form Shigure sighed disappointedly "I guess this means we're all still cursed."
At this point there was another PYON and Kyo reached for his clothes that Tohru had set down for him as she faced the kitchen.
Before anyone could ask questions Tohru went to the kitchen saying "Ah! I'm sure everyone must be hungry! I'll go make breakfast."
As soon as he was sure Tohru was out of hearing range Shigure dropped his smile and told Kyo to sit. Seeing Shigure so serious Kyo bit back the scathing reply he had ready and sat down at the table.
Watching them both with a serious look on his face Shigure began to speak "There are two things we have to discuss. First Hatori told me that the wound Lian had received was from a grazing of a bullet."
At this news both Kyo's and Yuki's eyes widened in shock.
"It may be a delicate subject but we must know if trouble will be coming to this house. The second is why didn't Kyo transform when Lian fell on him?"
"That will be very difficult to answer" Yuki said thoughtfully. "It's not like we can just go up to her and say, hello there, why don't you turn us into animals when you connect with us?"
"Also is it all of us she doesn't affect or is it just Kyo?" Shigure pondered.
"Breakfast is ready!" Tohru announced from the kitchen door. She then began bringing in the trays with the food and began placing them in front of everyone.
As Tohru came back with a tray for Lian, Shigure quickly stood up saying "Tohru, may I go with you?"
Smiling Tohru turned to Shigure replying "of course! I'm sure Lian wouldn't mind the
company."
Tohru hummed as she practically bounced up the stairs to where her cousin lay.
Shigure began to feel a slight twinge of guilt about what he needed to do when he saw Tohru manage to smile even wider upon seeing her cousin. The happy girl placed the tray legs on either side of Lian and began setting everything in order. Lian smiled at her cousin's fussiness over her.
Shigure stood there for a moment watching the two, trying to decide on how to put the questions he wanted to ask into a way that wouldn't seem too intrusive.
"Hunting accident" Lian said out of the blue.
Shigure's head snapped up "what?"
Lian chuckled as her eyes softened a bit at the sight of Shigure and Tohru staring at her confused.
Giving Shigure a crooked grin Lian said "that's one of the reasons you're up here, right? You want to know what I might be bringing here."
A little at a loss now, not used to being figured out, Shigure just muttered "err..."
Lian smiled softly and sighed, giving a 'what can you do' look to the heavens.
"A girl that is shot suddenly passes out on your doorstep in the middle of the night and you're not curious? Sorry, I don't buy it."
Shigure stared at her incredulously for a moment before he began doubling over with laughter. He was so worried about how to ask so as not to offend the two girls and Lian just blurts it out as if it were nothing.
Soon after he let loose Lian began to laugh as well. The look of shock and surprise that had blossomed over his face was too much to take!
Tohru, being herself, just looked at the two confused.
Seeing her cousin's face Lian stopped laughing and wiped away the tears that had sprung up from her continuous laughter.
Clearing her throat Lian began to speak "as I was coming here I decided to take a more scenic route through the forest. About three miles from here I heard a shot."
Sighing Lian shook her head ruefully remembering her stupidity.
"Not being very cautious I ran towards the place where I had last heard the ringing sound come from and saw a bright hunting vest suddenly appear. Having a stranger appear so suddenly after the shot was heard I became frightened and so I ran back towards the way I came. I guess they mistook my flight for an animal because I heard another shot ring out and then there was a searing pain in my leg. The fear overwhelmed me then and I let the adrenaline take over and escaped into a meditative mode while running."
Lian hung her head while mumbling "I kept running until I was out of breath and the adrenaline could no longer support my headlong rush. Those two things combined knocked me out of the meditation and so the pain really hit me then. I managed to get a ride for the last mile to where I passed out on your doorstep."
Shigure thought about what she said for a moment before something in her story hit him like a board upside the head.
"You mean to tell me you ran for two miles one your leg like that?"
Looking embarrassed Lian shrugged as she replied "well yes. I mean it's not really much. I
do a lot of running and as I said, before I was forced to stop I was in such deep mediation that I didn't really feel it."
"Lian's really amazing!" Tohru said excitedly. "I remember a few years ago I hurt my ankle at school and since we missed the bus Lian carried me and our books all the way home."
Lian flopped back while glaring at her cousin from under a raised hand "Ah, don't remind me. That also happened to be the day just before exams so both our bags were full to bursting!"
Seeing Tohru about to bow Lian raised and eyebrow saying "If you say you're sorry, I'll bop you..."
Tohru opened her mouth, saw Lian watching her like a hawk, started to bow again, realized she wasn't supposed to apologize, and finally just gave up. Lian smiled gently at her cousin. She then patted the bed while turning her head to glance at Shigure.
"I hear from certain sources I have you and the others downstairs to thank for getting her away from those jerks that grandpa is living with."
Tohru's eyes widened as she gasped "Lian!"
Lian, not looking ashamed at all said "sorry Tohru, but just because they are family doesn't mean that they are good people. In fact, except for grandpa, they are lowlife scum that squishes on the bottom of your shoes after rainy days."
Shigure's eyebrows just about reached his hairline in amusement at Lian's deceleration and he thought how well they would get along with the injured girl.
"Any way I'm truly sorry for imposing on you like this. I just wanted to see Tohru and tell her some good news. After I'm finished I'll check into a hospital for a bit so as not to intrude upon you all."
Tohru looked at her cousin with bright curiosity, wondering what she could possibly want to tell her.
Lian looked at Tohru smiled saying "I'm here to stay Tohru. All quests are finished and all the
answers are found. I will be getting an apartment nearby and start going to the same school as you."
Tohru squealed as she pounced on Lian giving her a large hug, which in turn caused Lian to wince as the sudden movement jostled her injury.
Shigure watched as Lian held in the yelp which surely would've distressed Tohru. Seeing how much the girls cared for each other Shigure came to a life altering decision. Little did he know, with the next few sentences he was about to speak what he was going to do to the future of the Souma clan.
Placing one hand over his heart and the other one waving in the air Shigure said "Mah, mah, now we can't have Tohru's family being taken care of by heartless strangers can we? Why don't you stay here with us?"
He turned to Tohru saying "It may mean you'd have to share your room Tohru, but if you don't mind, neither do I."
Tohru gazed at Shigure gratefully with tears in her eyes "I don't mind sharing. Thank you Shigure."
Lian had been watching Shigure all the while with something unreadable flickering behind her eyes. She then held out her hand towards Shigure and he took it thinking that she was agreeing.
To Shigure's immense surprise Lian pulled on his hand with more strength than he thought the young injured girl should've had.
He fell forward slightly before he caught himself and found himself staring into Lian's secretive gold flecked forest green eyes. Emotions and thoughts that Shigure could've never caught flickered in those intense depths as she studied him.
A moment later, though it seemed hours for him, Lian let go of his hand saying "so mote it be."
Tohru squeaked and hugged her poor cousin once again. Shigure sweat dropped as Lian, noticing him watching them, gave him a rueful grimace while hugging Tohru.
"Mah, Tohru? Why don't we let Lian rest, ne?
"Oh yes!" Tohru said bounding off the bed to tell the others the wonderful news. Her cousin was staying with them for a while! True she was injured but Lian had said everything was over and she was going to stay!' Tohru hummed to herself as she had these thoughts and proceeded to go downstairs where the others waited.
As Shigure turned he heard Lian say in a voice that sent shivers up his spine "all secrets may be kept from me, as long as they do no harm to Tohru."
Without turning Shigure nodded and proceeded to go out into the hallway once more.
If Shigure had bothered to turn around at Lian's declaration he might've noticed that the young girl's forest green eyes had turned molten amber for a moment before resuming their musing green.
Once he reached the first step of the stairway Shigure released the breath he did not realize he had been holding and filed away the warning that Lian had given him. Did she truly know what was going on? She had said that her sources had seen what they had done for Tohru yet the two cousins have had no contact for quite a while. If Lian did know, they would have to be especially careful around her when talking about Akito. If she didn't know, then why had she given the warning? Shigure shook his head dismissing the disturbing thoughts and let another slide in.
There would be two beautiful girls at the house! What joy!
Please review and love ya alls!