Chapter 9: The Pain Her Words Brought
Disclaimer: I do not own Furuba or any of its characters.
I'm back. And thanks for the support that I received in the reviews. I'm glad no one was too upset with me going on a short vacation, which I may add, made my writing arm sore. Nonetheless, this is typing, so, there will be chapters. So, I'm sorry for the wait…not that it was too long, heh… Well, without further ado…I present you with chapter 9 of Aikyou.
She cleared her throat slowly, and the words poured out of her mouth, "You protect her…Kyo…as if she actually understands your pain." Akito grinned, and gritted her teeth a little. "She understands nothing. Only I do…I understand how you feel, therefore I will protect you, the monster that you are, by locking you away."
Her words frightened Tohru. She didn't enjoy being reminded that Kyo would be imprisoned if he were to not beat Yuki. And, maybe she didn't understand the things Kyo had gone through. But, she'd like to try to understand, everything and anything that he is or were to tell him. There wasn't anything she'd want to know more then what made him sad, or happy, or aggravated. "Those things," she thought, "those things I'd love to be aware of." A gentle smile crossed her face as she looked at Akito. A surge of appreciation went through her body. "Akito-san… I have great admiration for… your need to protect your family. But… I understand some of the things Kyo-kun's gone through…" her voice was very quiet as she said this. The streets had been cleared, as well as the sidewalks, do to the thunderstorm that was occurring above them. Kyo, Akito, and Kureno could hear her despite the loud rumbles of thunder as lightning crashed throughout the sky.
Kyo opened his mouth to object on the matter so that Tohru wouldn't speak any more. He didn't want her to end up endangering her own safety any more then she already had. Then a mere, devious grin floated upon Akito's face as he listened to Tohru's strange type of pleading statement. "So…you think you understand everything you ugly woman…" Laughing gently as she had an almost unnoticeable sore throat. "Well… if you do…then take off his beads. Let me see how you react to that grotesque form that is Kyo's true state!" She yells forcefully at Tohru. Akito taunts once more, "Do you enjoy the smell of rotting corpses? Is that how you understand that warped form?" It was as if she was egging Tohru on; wanting to see how her body language responded, or her facial expression changed.
Looking at Kyo with a quiet, soft expression, Tohru reaches for his Juzu beads. He stares at her and lets her hand rest upon his wrist. Kyo couldn't believe that Akito had actually gotten through to Tohru. How could she actually trust, or take to heart, anything Akito spoke? Or was it all on a impulse. Maybe it was the fact that she wanted to prove the things Akito said about him wrong. Was she that willing to reveal all of this to everyone? To show any one that may leave their homes or shops, his vengeful spirit's true form. He couldn't believe it, her fingers were under the beads so that the back of her fingers were touching the usually covered skin on his wrist. Tugging gently, she looks at Akito for a moment who she noticed had nodded. She pulls it off and falls backward from tugging it so hard.
Just moments after Kyo's body shifted and transformed him into the monstrous like form that his body assumed whenever he was without his Juzu beads. Tohru stared at him sadly. She felt bad about doing this. She felt selfish beyond compare. Even in the form he was in now, Kyo stood still quietly. The rain continued to beat down on him and the others but he tried to annoy it. Even if he was in his vengeful spirit's true state, he felt as though he could bare it for now. Just for the time being, he could pretend it wasn't raining.
Tohru struggled to get to her feet smelling the scent of exactly what Akito had described. Though she thought it smelt more like rotten food, or vomit. Either way, she didn't seem to mind it. She staggers towards him, spotting out of the corner of her eye Akito who had her arm up so that the sleeve of her kimono would cover her nose. Kureno seemed to be ignoring the horrible smell that Kyo's body gave off.
She dropped to her knees beside Kyo who was completely aggravated. It was becoming harder and harder for him to completely act as though there wasn't water falling from the sky. He growls a little seeing Tohru. Though he wasn't exactly growling at her, it was just a feeling he had in him that told him to do so. Tohru flings her arms around his front arm quickly and rests her head against it.
Akito watched this in disbelief. "And here…I thought if I got too close to that monstrous form, I'd die from lack of air. But…you seem to prove me wrong." Then a grin falls upon her face gently. "Or maybe the stench hasn't completely gotten to you yet." A quiet laughter came from her mouth, Kureno still stood at her side, completely quiet.
Suddenly, Kyo had changed back to his human form. His pants were a little ripped at the very bottom, and his shirt was torn to shreds at his feet. Tohru was still clinging to his arm, her eyes closed. He smiles at her and as if she could feel him looking at her, she opens her eyes and returns his smile. The expression on Tohru's face showed that she could still smell the vomit-like stench that state of him gave off. Pulling away from her, now standing up straight, Tohru still on her knees, feeling the pain return from when Akito hit her. It was just a stinging sensation; she tried to act strong, and not show an expression that'd give away what she considered as looking 'weak' in front of Akito, Kyo, and Kureno.
"You…just can't stand the fact can you…" Kyo says quietly, looking down at the ground. They all stare at him, seeming practically confounded. Lifting his head up carefully, he gently meets eyes with Akito. "YOU HATE THE FACT THAT SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS ME!" His anger had erupted finally. All the irritation from the rain and the anger from Akito's constant blabbering. Everything had just exploded from his mouth all at once. "YOU WANT MY LIFE TO BE A LIVING HELL DON'T YOU!" Kyo exclaims stomping his foot into a puddle, leaning forward as he yells at them. "WELL IT'S…" Akito who had gone up to him leaving them only a half a foot between them cuts him off.
"Your pathetic life is supposed to be hell… Haven't you realized…that you will never be able to get yourself into the Zodiac. And when it becomes finalized…. you will be locked away like the last monster. Your little Shishou's grandfather," Akito stops slowly, leaving Kyo stunned for a moment.
He knew that by opening his mouth he'd only make things worse then they already are. Would that actually happen? Was he going to be locked away forever when he learns that he actually can't beat Yuki? There wasn't any other way, and that was that. He had drawn a blank on ideas, and he couldn't strike up another deal only for it to corner him in a dark and empty room.
Tears were dripping down Tohru's cheeks, though that action was as familiar as ever. Stumbling to her feet, her left cheek feeling numb, she stands between Akito and Kyo quickly, bumping her back a little. They were all a little shocked. Especially since she was just recently on the ground. Her face was still damp with tears even though new layers of them kept streaming down her face. "Akito-s… s…san…" she stutters, breathing heavily. Something was telling Kyo that everything Akito had said was now bothering her greatly. "Pl…Please…no more…Just…leave Kyo-kun alone…" her voice was quiet now, but she continued to take heavy breathes and stutter gently.
Kyo looks at the back of Tohru's head since that was all he was able to see at the moment. He looks around frantically, he had forgot to check that no one saw him when he transformed into the warped form and back to himself. There was a little kid standing, peeking out from an alley. No doubt he had seen everything that had gone on. The little boy looked frightened as Kyo's eyes captured him. He watched him stumble and fall down, then stayed as still as a statue when noticing Kyo move a little. His hand clenches around Tohru's and he runs towards the kid, pulling Tohru along.
Watching them run off, Akito grins and turns to look at Kureno. "He's getting too close to Honda Tohru." She says quietly to Kureno, and then walks passed him cautiously like she was unable to keep her complete balance. Her hand was sliding across the walls that she passed, as if she were using them to keep herself upright. Though she was slanted toward the wall a little so that she was able to reach.
Running in her direction quickly, Kureno stops in front of her, Akito bumping into him. "Akito…. would you like me to change their minds like I did with Isuzu and Hatsuharu?" He asks curiously, seeming quiet unsure of what she was implying when she spoke as she walked away from him. Spotting her gentle nod, he walks with her back toward the Main House.
Meanwhile, Kyo was looking down at the little boy. "You…" he began, sounding a little angered, "You saw didn't you?" As he had asked this, his voice became calmer, as if he had nothing to worry about. The boy nods almost unnoticeably. Kneeling down slowly, he grins at the kid. "Don't tell anyone, okay." He tells the boy, waiting for a verbal response.
"Uh…huh…" the kid agrees quietly.
Tohru stood beside Kyo, who was still on his knees. Staring at the boy, he blinks then stands, looking down at him again. "What's your name kid?" He asks sounding fairly curious about this. Clearly he wanted to know the name of yet another person who knew about the family curse. Usually those people have their memory wiped.
His lip quivered as he looked back up at Kyo. Staggering to his feet he keeps eye contact. "My name is…Katsuro…" He replies shyly looking at the ground and rubbing his foot back and forth in a circle.
Tohru smiles at him, becoming a little happier then before. Although, the things that Akito had said were still casually floating around her mind. She felt as though she could see Kyo locked up in a dark room that was very small, had bars at the windows, and had water dripping down from cracks in the ceiling. Her minds eye showed her all this and Akito coming in and out every day, harassing Kyo physically and mentally. Such horrible things Tohru could see her saying. How many times would she beat him for being what he was? It was all horrible thoughts and it continuously brought her pain. Even if what she had said to him didn't bother him too much. The fact that he was able to withstand such terrible things made Tohru even sadder by the second.
Smiling at the little boy, Kyo nods basically saying that he understood what he said. "So…Katsuro…were you frightened when I transformed?" He asks out of pure wonder. The kid nods shyly, looking around as if he thought Kyo was going to hurt him. Tapping him on the shoulder softly, he turns around and walks away from the boy. "Don't tell anyone," was all Kyo spoke as he walked off, his hands shoved in his pockets.
Right before she left, Tohru kneeled down to talk to the little boy and told him that some members of the Sohma family are cursed so that they transform into the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. After telling him this she got up and ran to Kyo, catching up beside him. She was so tired that she thought she could sleep in the streets. The time, by now, was around nine o'clock at night. They spent two hours after school in the bookstore to avoid getting caught in the rain, then an hour or two arguing with Akito. And finally, they talked with the boy for about forty minutes. When the fifty-minute walk back to Shigure's house came to an end it was almost ten o'clock.
Kyo and Tohru stood at the door wearily. They both had knocked at the same time without even noticing it. Their looked like they attention was completely focused on something that had nothing to do with the current moments.
The door opened to reveal a worried Yuki. He grabs Tohru's hand and pulls her in, leaving Kyo to trudge in slowly; alone. "Ms.Honda! Are you okay? You were out so long… did something happen?" He asks, sounding very anxious about all of this. Yuki was definitely tired too, because he had sat in a chair waiting for them to arrive home, his eyes were constantly open and didn't come near closing once.
"Ah…" her focus on her thoughts was broken, she looks at Yuki and softly smiles. "Yes, I'm fine…" the red mark on her left cheek said the complete opposite. Kyo was leaning against the wall just ten feet from them. His forehead stained with a few lines of blood, he had no shirt, and his pants were torn at the very bottom. Even his feet, were bare (they got shredded when he transformed). Yuki looked back and forth at them and sighs quietly. There was a large bruise along Kyo's neck. All of this gave Yuki some clues at what happened because, this time, fear was running out of both of their eyes. Akito, Yuki thought to himself. That Akito…she hurt Tohru…a...and Kyo. Not that I care what happens to that stupid cat.Moving closer to her, he runs his hand down her cheek gently so that it doesn't hurt. "I'll get you a bandage." He smiles at her sweetly then turns and walks off, his hand dropping down her shoulder from her cheek slowly.
Walking up to her little by little, Kyo smiles as he gets to her side. "Is… your face okay?" He was completely unsure at how he should've phrased that question so he just said the first thing that came to mind.
She smiles at him gently, and nods. "I'm fine, Kyo-kun." Her voice was as quiet as ever. Her body was shaking in slight fear. Kyo steps closer to her and smiles back, looking down to meet her eyes. The breeze from the open windows, tossed his hair around a little making it almost amusing for Tohru to watch. "Kyo… are… I…. should…" she couldn't piece the words that she wanted to say together. Then finally she spits it out. "Kyo…I hope you'll be okay. Is there anything I can do?" She asks. "Do you need anything? A warm rag for your neck, a small bandage for your forehead?" Questions began to pour out of her mouth and slap Kyo across the face.
Grabbing her by the arms her lifts her up a little so that they saw eye to eye with Kyo looking straight ahead. He smiles at her gently. "Tohru… I'm fine. What I need," he laughs quietly, "Is for you to get to bed, and try to forget whatever happened today." His face got closer to her's; he swallows nervously then sets her down. She smiles at him and goes up the stairs as quick as her body allowed her to.
After changing into her pajamas, Tohru crawls onto her bed, and lifts the covers up, pulling them up to her neck. She had been shivering downstairs so she thought she was cold. The shaking kept up, her cheek began to sting again, the things Akito said went running throughout her head as if it was the engine and it was helping to drive her other thoughts away.
Never in her life had she remembered hearing someone say something as bad as Akito had said to Kyo. Especially since what Akito said even began to get Uotani angry. 'You shouldn't even talk to Orangey that way!' Her eyes closed, and she dreamed about everything that had happened earlier that day. From it beginning to rain after school ended, to the little boy they spoke to in the alley. Their injuries though, became far worse with every passing moment. This was not nearly close to a dream. It was a pure, hate-filled nightmare that Akito had infected the second they saw her earlier that day.
Kyo sat on the couch, his legs on the couch, feet pushed together as if he were going to do 'butterfly' stretches. He couldn't imagine what kind of horrible dreams all of them, that were there, would have. So much had happened. Though it looked like Kyo didn't mind Akito's words, deep down in him he felt like he was about to shatter like a mirror hit with a hammer. Everything that she spoke, he believed, was probably bound to happen.
Not before long, he was talking quietly with Yuki and Shigure. Telling them why they were late, and no dinner was cooked. The only one that seemed to care about their injuries was Yuki. Even though Shigure claimed to be listening, he was staring out the window mysteriously. It made Kyo and Yuki both wonder some things. Was Shigure actually in complete agreement with Akito and all her plans and orders?
Well, I finished this 2 in the morning. I began the day I left for Univ. Studios. So…I had a page or so done. I got home at 1 am and began typing to finish it up and have it posted for the next day/ Wednesday. Which was conveniently the day I finished, lol. -- Confusing stuff those sentences were.
Thanks/Comments:
TogetherItsumo: Thank you. Well…I literally updated as soon as I could. The moment I got home I ran into my room and began typing. Its like I was never away. I love my computer, lol. I'm glad to see that you love the story so far. As of now …I have a few plans for the later chapters that may be surprising…or maybe it wont be. My mind just changes every few minutes…who knows. But…nonetheless, enjoy what I type. (Same to all my other reviewers…I'm just too tired to type at the moment, lol)
YoukaiOnigiri: Glad to hear/read that you're enjoying this story. Happy to see that you like it so much your going to be my faithful, lil' reviewer person, lol. Chapter 10 should be underway soon. Hopefully, this chapter wont seem boring. O.o Then again…I think I may be getting like K40Sohma… she says her chapter are boring, lol. The history behind the word 'Bas-tich' is all when K40Sohma (Ashley) and I were talking over IM and I was reading scanlations… so…I used it in the fanfic. As well as the word 'Gender Bender' I think that brought a little light humor to the 8th chapter.
Crystal: Wow…I get reviews when I'm on vacation, such confusion, haha. Well, here's the chapter. And I'm happy to see you love the story.
K40Sohma: Thanks again! I woulda wrote sooner if you knew how to spell 'write', lol. Jk. Hope you liked this chapter as well.
Ultimate-Furuba-Freak: O.o Machete? Oh come on, I went on vacation, don't hurt me,lol. I'm guessing that meant you liked it, lol. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.