Chapter 11

"Where have you two been! And why is she here!" Shigure roared, seeing the three walk in together into the living room. Tohru peeked out of the kitchen cautiously, too scared to join the conversation.

"She's here because we want her to be, you got a problem with that!" Kyou yelled back, standing in front of Jesi in case Shigure decided to take matters into his own hands.

"Yes, I do! She's the one who attacked Yuki-"

"And you failed to tell us who she was, you bastard!" Kyou screamed, "You failed to tell us that you used her; you failed to tell us that you abused her mother in FRONT of her; you FAILED to tell us how much of a bastard you really are!"

"What! How did you-"

"She told us…and in turn we protected her from Hatori. Well…at least we tried, she pretty much saved herself." Yuki added, looking a little embarrassed and put off.

"Why would you protect that wench! She's nothing and has caused nothing but trouble, she can't even do her job right!" At this, Kyou took a broad step forward and landed a punch to Shigure's jaw, knocking him to the floor.

"Don't ever say that again, or I'll make sure to break your jaw next time." Kyou growled, his eyes blazing his hatred.

"Kyou, please…he's…he's right." Jesi whispered, but Kyou more than heard her.

"What! What the HELL are you talking about! You are not a slave to his perverted desires and shouldn't be expected to be! And don't think you're nothing just because someone tells you that, it's a lie and you'd be stupid for being it! If I believed that, I would have gone and killed myself a LONG time ago!"

"Kyou-kun…" Jesi stared at him in astonishment, her heart pounding wildly.

"Damn it, I hate it when people think they're less than they are, think they don't deserve better things in life because they haven't done anything to deserve it! They never see how much they've affected people's lives and made such a difference to those people! Isn't that enough to deserve more in life? Doesn't that entitle them to a LITTLE happiness?" Yuki glanced in the direction of the kitchen and noticed Tohru standing almost out of view, transfixed by Kyou's speech with tears in her eyes.

"I…I suppose…but I've never helped anyone!" Jesi insisted, a little afraid of Kyou's rage.

"Then tell me, tell me you haven't made one person happy for at least a second! Tell me you've never made anyone smile or laugh or admit they care about you! Tell me!" Kyou stared at her, his eyes sending the same order in such an intensity it scared her.

"I…" She looked down in shame and tried to hold back the tears in her eyes, "But even if I had helped someone, made someone laugh or smile, I've done just as much to hurt them!"

"That doesn't matter! I've made people cry more times than I'd care to admit but at least I know some people can forgive me, some people care about me more than I deserve but that's because apparently I've done something to win their friendship. No one is perfect, Jesi…" His anger suddenly subsided as he said, "Isn't there someone you love? Someone you want to make smile? I can't imagine in all your life there's never been one soul, one single person…" Jesi stared at the floor, hot tears rolling down her cheeks as she balled her fists at her sides. Suddenly, she snapped her head up and yelled, "How can you preach to me about such things when you hide your own feelings!"

"I…uh…" Kyou blinked, caught off guard by her sudden outburst. Letting out a scream, she stepped forward and kicked Shigure square in the temple, knocking him unconscious in seconds. Kyou backed away from her, afraid that he'd be next. Whirling around to face Kyou, Jesi yelled, "How can you stand here and tell me to pursue MY happiness when you run from yours!" she pointed in the direction of the kitchen and Kyou turned, finally realizing Tohru was watching all along.

"W-what!" Kyou blushed, flustered and at a lose for words.

"Don't tell me you don't know what I'm talking about, unless you're a complete moron! You love her and there's no denying it, the way you treat her is proof!"

"You mean making fun of her and attacking her on occasion?" Kyou scoffed, trying to avoid the inevitable truth.

"I mean protecting her from dirty boys' lusts, going with her to wherever whenever she asks, consoling her when she's sad, you name it!" Kyou stumbled, hitting the wall and stammering, "H-how did you-how could you-when did you-"

"I may not get out much but I still see more and hear more than people would believe. Kyou, don't let your fate scare you away from true love…from her." Jesi almost pleaded. Kyou turned to look at Tohru and saw her eyes fill with hope and tears, begging him to tell Jesi the truth. Finally, he turned and looked at Yuki who was just as flabbergasted by this new development as he was. Looking at the floor, he muttered, "I…it wouldn't be fair to…"

"Don't you think that's her choice?" Jesi sounded exasperated at this point, crossing her arms and looking impatient with Kyou's childish desire to hold onto his secret.

"Well, if I have to admit the truth…how about you?" Kyou looked up at her with a ironic grin, glancing in Yuki's direction. Jesi caught on to his insinuation and chuckled, saying, "I think you've misunderstood…"

"Mis…understood?" Yuki suddenly felt the conversation turn to him and got confused.

"Yuki, I love you but…not like that, I love you just as Haru might love you." Jesi said sincerely, softening her expression to a caring look of regret.

"Oh…I…I see…" Yuki looked down at his lap and fiddled with his shirt.

"I'm sorry, Yuki, I…Kyou's right, there is someone I've wanted to be with but I was too afraid…afraid that history would repeat itself and cause him great sorrow as my ancestors long ago."

"Who is it?" Tohru suddenly joined the conversation, stepping into the living room and nervously twisting her apron in her fingers. Smiling at Tohru, Jesi replied, "The one man who refused me…"

"You do realize that…he's probably being punished for letting you go." Yuki murmured, understanding her confession.

"Yes, I hadn't really thought about it until now…but what can I do?"

"Go and save him, if he means that much to you!" Kyou exclaimed with a grin, standing up straight. With a determined look, Jesi said, "You're right…if anything I owe it to him for saving me. Thank you, Kyou, there's a lot more to you than anyone may think…even yourself." She stepped up to him and gave him a hug, whispering in his ear, "Don't leave her hanging, or I'll come back here and kick your butt!" With a blushing grin, Kyou whispered back, "You just might have to…"

"And Yuki…" Jesi looked on in remorse, leaning over and whispering, "may you find the courage to love the one who loves you…" With a kiss on the cheek, she turned to Tohru and smiled, saying, "Good luck!"

"Hey!" Kyou scowled, glaring at Jesi as she headed for the door.

"Catch ya on the flip side…I hope!" Jesi waved goodbye before breaking into a run and heading straight to the Sohma estate to fulfill her own desires.

"Jesi-san?" Momiji met Jesi at the front door, looking quite surprised to see her so soon.

"Where is he." She said simply, her voice so stern that it almost shocked Momiji speechless.

"He's in with Akito…you'd better hurry." Haru peeked around the corner. Momiji looked at him in confusion as Jesi took off through the house.

"What's going on?" Momiji asked, cocking his head in wonder.

"You'll see…" Haru smiled, turning and heading off to his room. Jesi didn't bother stopping as she kicked in the doors to Akito's room, storming in to find Hatori laying on the floor in a pool of his own blood. Akito stood over him, the blood of his victim on his hands.

"Ah, so there you are, whore…" Akito sent a sadistic smile her way and sneered, "See what you've brought Hatori to?"

"For your sake, you'd better hope he's not dead. I've come here to declare my love for Hatori Sohma and if you have a problem with that, come and get it, bitch."