Author's Note: I decided to let you guys slide with only 6 reviews and I have changed my updating policy. I will update every 2-3 days. But I would still like reviews, so... um... leave a review before you go. Please?
Chapter 4
The bus ride to the Sohma estate a few days after Kyo's visit with Michelle was a boring one, although Kyo had a rather interesting seat companion. The man next to Kyo on the bus kept on gasping for breath, turning to Kyo, and blowing the air out of his lungs right into Kyo's face. Kyo got the impression that the man was either crazy or retarded and resisted the urge to punch the man because of these suspicions.
Kyo was very thankful when the bus finally came to his stop, right in front of the Sohma house- or rather Shigure's house. There were a few cars in front of the author's home, and Kyo thought that they might be there to see him. Kyo had sent Shigure a letter telling him that he would be coming to visit and, obviously, Shigure had told the entire family to come.
Kyo made his way to the front door and knocked three times. As he waited, he could hear conversation coming from his family on the other side of the door. Kyo wasn't sure if his family was yelling at one another, or actually enjoying each others' company. Either option was reasonable, although Kyo suspected that it was the first one. The door opened and Shigure stood in the doorway, beckoning him inside. Kyo took off his shoes and jacket and placed them in the appropriate places, then walked down the hall to the living room where the rest of his family was.
Almost everyone was there. Akito was sitting next to the fireplace authoritatively in a chair acting like he owned the place. Ritsu was apologizing to Hatori for bumping into him and spilling his coffee on the doctor. Haru was sitting there, looking bored, as he always did with Rin was sitting quietly next to him. Ayame was saying something to Kureno. It was obviously a joke because they both laughed. Shigure was in the kitchen, preparing some drinks for everyone. Momiji was trying to make conversation with the bored Haru, but the former Ox of the Sohma family wasn't paying attention. Kagura jumped when she saw Kyo and was currently running her mouth to him as he looked around the room, ignoring her. The people who weren't there were Kisa and Hiro, whom Kyo guessed were at school as it was a school day and they were Seniors this year. He noticed that Yuki and Tohru weren't there either. That saddened and joyed him at the same time. It upset him because he wouldn't be able to see Tohru. It made him happy because he didn't have to see Tohru and Yuki together as a couple.
As he was thinking about Tohru, Kagura got fed up with Kyo ignoring her. "Kyo, are you listening to me?" she asked sternly.
"What, huh?" Kyo responded, being snapped away from his thoughts of Tohru and Yuki.
"You weren't listening to me, were you, Kyo?" Kagura accused. She got a fierce look in her eyes as she clenched her fist in anger. Kyo just shrunk. He knew what Kagura could and would do to him. "How could you not listen to me, Kyo?" Kagura asked desperately. She raised her balled fist with tears in her eyes. "I don't see you for five years, and you don't even pay attention to me when I talk? What kind of person are you, Kyo?" She swung her fist down and Kyo barely dodged the blow. Instead of Kagura's hand hitting Kyo, it hit the wall, making a hole in the wall.
"Why do you people always break my house?" Shigure asked as he walked in with a tray of drinks. He shoved the tray into Hatori, who was going to wash up from Ritsu spilling coffee on him. Hatori was caught off guard and all of the drinks on the tray poured onto Hatori when the tray fell. Shigure got distracted when the drinks fell and went to help Hatori clean up the mess instead of saving Kyo from Kagura.
Kyo realized that his only option was to run, so he did. There wasn't much space to run inside, so he dashed to the front door with Kagura in pursuit behind him. Kyo reached the door, opened it, ran outside, and straight into Yuki. They both fell backwards from the impact.
"Watch where you're going, stupid cat," Yuki said when he realized that Kyo had been the one who'd bumped into him.
"I'm not the cat anymore, damn rat," Kyo responded, sitting up and rubbing his head.
"And I'm not the rat anymore, Kyo," Yuki retorted. He stood up and reached a hand out to help Kyo up off the ground. Kyo looked at Yuki's hand, studying it, for a moment. Not only was he surprised that Yuki was being nice to him, but Kyo couldn't help but notice the gold band around his finger, the ring that was a symbol of Tohru's love. Kyo stared at the ring for a moment, but eventually took Yuki's hand.
"Thanks," Kyo said in an almost confused voice. Then, seeming to only just then remember why he was outside in the first place, he wheeled around, searching for any sign of Kagura. Haru had contained her and Kagura was now sitting on the porch talking to him pleasantly. She seemed to have forgotten that she was mad at Kyo. As usual, Kyo thought.
"Your welcome," Yuki replied. He then got a worried expression on his face and turned around, walking back in the direction he'd come from. Kyo followed, wondering where he was going.
Yuki walked over to one of the cars in the driveway, with Kyo still accompanying him without his knowledge. "You need any help, Tohru?" Yuki was saying.
"It's just this car seat strap. I can't get it undone," a woman's voice- Tohru's voice- responded.
"Here. Let me do it," Yuki replied. Now knowing where Yuki had gone, and wishing he didn't, Kyo walked back to the house.
I wish they hadn't shown up, Kyo thought as he sat down on the couch next to Ayame. Now I have to deal with seeing them together. I'm kind of glad I'm going to Nagasaki, now. I won't have to see them.
"What's the matter?" Ayame asked, leaning towards Kyo. I knew it wasn't a good idea to sit next to him, Kyo thought as he sighed.
"Nothing. Just thinking," Kyo said, staring at the ground, hoping that Ayame would get the hint. But he didn't. Instead, Ayame began to dramatically lecture Kyo on 'affairs of the heart,' as Ayame called it. Like I really expected him to leave me alone, Kyo thought sarcastically. Kyo tuned out Ayame and waited for Shigure and Hatori to finish so he could say what needed to be said and then leave. The sooner I get out of here, the better. I can't stand my family.
Kyo didn't have to wait long before everyone was seated. Yuki and Tohru, with Samantha sitting on her lap, were introducing their little girl to the rest of the family. Shigure was still trying to get the juice stains out of Hatori's jacket, while the rest of the family either awed at the newest Sohma or chatted amongst themselves. When the author was satisfied with the doctor's coat's condition, he stood and gestured for Kyo to do the same. Kyo wondered why Shigure was making such a big deal out of the situation. It's like I'm announcing a wedding, Kyo thought as he stood up. But then again, this is Shigure we're talking about, so no big surprise.
"Kyo has an important announcement to make, so everybody, listen up!" Shigure commanded. The Sohma family all quieted down and focused their eyes on Kyo.
Kyo rolled his eyes at Shigue's excitedness. "Okay, before I tell you, let me just say it's not as big as Shigure is making it sound. In fact, it's not really significant except to those of you keeping a tag on me." As Kyo said the last sentence, he glanced at Akito and continued his speech. "I really don't know why Shigure called you all here to hear this when he could have just told you all over the phone like he should have, saving you all a car trip. But since you're all here, I guess I have to tell you now... In about a week, I am moving to Nagasaki." Kyo stopped there to see peoples' reactions. Kagura almost broke into tears. Haru nodded in approval as if he wished he could do the same. Ritsu looked horrified that anybody would even consider leaving Tokyo, as did Momiji. Akito gave Kyo a warning look as if to say, 'You need to stay in contact or your head will be mounted on my wall.' The rest just looked surprised that Kyo was leaving to be farther away from the family than he already was. "I'm not doing it to get away from you guys," Kyo explained. That's just a plus, he thought. "I have a new job there. I am going to be a martial arts instructor at a new dojo opening in Nagasaki. I talked to my boss and he said that I could visit one week a year, and I said I would. I will keep in contact with you all when I'm not here, as well." Kyo then sat back down and waited for something else to happen.
Tohru was the first to speak after Kyo was finished. "That's great that you found a job, Kyo! Too bad it's all the way in Nagasaki. Would you come and visit on the same week every year, or would you just come whenever?"
"I would come and visit every year in May. I don't know which week, but Mr. Randall, my boss, said that I could only visit in May, when he had a substitute. Apparently, my sub can only work in May," Kyo explained, shrugging. "So I'll set aside one day in the week that I'm here to visit each of you. That is all I have to say, so unless anyone else has anything that is important to announce, I have to finish packing." He stood up and began to walk away, but Ayame stopped him.
"No, no, no, no, no! That will not do, Kyon Kyon. Shigure invited us over for a family get together, and we're going to enjoy each other's company," Ayame scolded. He then steered Kyo back to the couch and forced him to sit down again.
Kyo did as Ayame told him, not wanting the clothing designer to yell at him again. The entire Sohma family talked, and laughed, and, surprisingly, they enjoyed each other's company. Kisa and Hiro came after their school let out and were filled in on what was happening. They joined in on the fun, too. Everyone was having fun. Even Hatori, who'd gotten two more drinks spilled on him during the activities, was having fun. Despite Kyo enjoying himself over games, movies, music, and refreshments, he still felt somewhat depressed the entire time.
He was happy for Tohru, he really was. He was happy because she was happy. The thing that got Kyo down, though, was that Tohru was happy with Yuki, and not with him. She lived with Yuki, not him. She had a beautiful little girl named Samantha with Yuki, not him. He kept on seeing Tohru snuggle up to Yuki when the scary movie was on. He kept on seeing her and Yuki hug when either of them won at the many board games they played with the family. And Kyo didn't hide his feelings very well. Whenever they would hug or kiss, he found himself muttering, "Get a room, why don't you?" He made a point not to be too near either of them. Kyo also got up and attempted to leave several times- to no success, though, as Ayame kept on reseating him on the couch. He finally gave up and tried to enjoy the rest of his evening. But by this time, everyone was ready to go home and sleep, as it was around 10:30 at night.
What a wasted evening, Kyo thought as he walked out the front door, waving good bye to anyone who waved to him first. I had to watch Tohru and Yuki with each other, and Ayame wouldn't let me leave and do something useful. When he got outside, he found it was raining heavily. The perfect way to end a perfect night, Kyo thought miserably. Just my luck, too. To have it rain when I'm miserable.
As he thought, he didn't notice light footsteps following behind him. Kyo did notice, though, when the footstep's owner tapped him on the shoulder. Kyo spun around and met face to face with Tohru.
"Hey Kyo," she said quietly.
"Hey," Kyo responded. He continued to walk, not really wanting to talk to Tohru at the moment. But she followed him. Kyo noticed this and stopped. "What do you want?" He said this sentence in a more annoyed voice than he should have when talking to Tohru and he knew it, but he didn't necessarily want to talk to her.
Tohru looked hurt over the harshness in his voice, but passed it over when she remembered he was upset over something (which was her initial reason for following him). "What's the matter, Kyo? Are you mad at me? If so, what did I do? I know Yuki is involved in this problem because you acted mad at him, too. Tell me what's wrong."
Kyo really didn't want to say what was wrong. So, instead of answering her questions, he started walking again and changed the subject. "Speaking of Yuki, where is he? You were never without him the whole time you were here, and now he's not with you. Where'd he go?"
"He's putting Samantha in the car and then waiting for me. I asked him if he would so I could come and talk to you," Tohru explained. Kyo thought that he might have actually gotten away with changing the subject, but he didn't. Tohru realized she had let herself get distracted and immediately got back on track. "And don't try to change the subject on me, Kyo! Now tell me what's the matter with you. You had me worried."
Kyo stopped walking again, not believing that Tohru had asked him that after he'd made it so obvious. Did she actually not remember what had caused him to leave the family in the first place? He gave her a shocked look "What do you mean, what's the matter with me? You should know this, Tohru! I told you what was the matter with me five years ago!" Kyo shouted. She looked at him, confused. She forgot that I told her I loved her, Kyo thought. That hurt him. "Don't tell me you forgot," Kyo pleaded, realization dawning on him. She looked up at him, her eyes saying that she had. "No," he mumbled more to reassure himself than to Tohru. Kyo just walked right past her, rather than stand there and explain himself.
As Kyo walked off, he could hear Tohru calling for him. "Go back to Yuki!" he shouted in response. "I'm sure you'd much rather be with him than me!" He continued to walk all the way to the bus stop, his eyes beginning to well up. He was expecting to have to wait for the bus, and he was right. According to the other man at the bus stop, the bus had just passed and he would have to wait another fifteen minutes for the next one.
Just great. Tohru can catch up with me now, Kyo thought. As he was sitting there, waiting for the bus to come, and hoping that Tohru wouldn't, the man sitting next to him got up and left, saying that he could just walk home. That freed up the seat next to him. It was soon filled, though. Kyo looked to see who it was, having a pretty good guess already.
"Kyo, why'd you run off like that?" Tohru asked, concerned. The rain disguised the few tears that fell down Kyo's face.
"How could you forget that, Tohru?" Kyo asked, not directly answering her question, but answering it all the same. He turned to her and looked her in the eyes.
"Forget what, Kyo?" Tohru asked. "If you would tell me, maybe I would remember."
Kyo sighed and turned away from her. "Forget it. When I told you last time you rejected me. This time won't be any different." Kyo said this more to himself than to Tohru, but he still wanted her to hear it.
Tohru was taken aback by this statement and she didn't know how to respond. She couldn't think of what Kyo was talking about, no matter how hard she tried. She knew he told her five years ago, and that was just about it. She scolded herself for forgetting something that obviously meant a lot to Kyo. Tohru didn't have much time to think on the matter as the bus that Kyo was waiting for pulled up to them. He got on without saying good bye.
"Are you getting on?" the bus driver asked Tohru.
"Oh. No," Tohru said, getting up from the bench and walking back to her car, where Yuki was waiting. She still thought about what had caused Kyo's anguish as she walked.
Kyo watched Tohru from the window as the bus drove away. More tears threatened to fall, but he held them back. All the more reason to leave, Kyo thought as he headed home.
And a special thanks to my reviewers!
Aria's Star: I'm glad you like it. Thanks for reviewing. I hope you keep reading and reviewing!
ILOVEInuyasha07: Thank you for coming back. lol. That is what Kyo thinks, too. But it's all up to Tohru in the end.
Fallen Angel: I thought that was funny, too. Sounds like a plan to me. Just as long as you read it eventually.
Karen: Thank you so much for all the praise. I will be sure to continue, since I have so many dedicated fans. (Okay. I'm exaggerating just a bit)
KittySand Katie:'San' in Japanese means 'miss', so he does call her Miss Honda in the manga. I have found someone else who thinks he's a rapist! Yay me! ... Wait... that sounded weird...
Melody: What'sstrange is, I chose the city Nagasaki, and later that night, I watched a T.V. show in which the characters are told to go to Nagasaki. I thought it was kind of a weird coincidence. Anyways, thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you liked it!