Chapter 28: Four Years and Bumping into Strangers

Princess Sango

Kyoko's POV

It's been so long since I walked into Kyo's room, but it wasn't his anymore. My parents had gotten re-married and had another child, a boy. They asked me if I wanted to name him, but I didn't say anything. They named him, and gave him Kyo-kun's room, and I never went in there, not once, until now. Why would I come inside now, after four years? Maybe because my brother, who is now three, is sick and wants his blanket.

Dad came inside Kyo-kun's room and placed a hand on my shoulder, "You can get out, and I'll finish your task." I turned to dad, who hugged me, "Are you going to be okay?"

I looked away and started crying, Kyo-kun was a very important part of my life, and he's gone now, of course I wasn't okay. He held me, "Come on now Kyoko, if you don't like it in here, go somewhere else."

He didn't need to coax me as I jumped out of his embrace and ran away, ran away from the estate to a place where I could think. That place was somewhere on the streets of Tokyo, where people don't know you unless you go to the same school. Yet who knew, who knew I would meet someone there too, who reminded me so much of my brother?

I bumped into someone in my endless search for me to calm down, immediately bowing I thought nothing of it, until he placed his hand on my shoulder, "Do I know you?"

I was about to deny it when I looked up and noticed it was Keiichiro, "Um, you might, I'm Sohma Kyoko from class 1-C."

"I'm from class 1-C too, so what's wrong?" he asked, searching my eyes.

"Nothing, really, I was just thinking about someone," I muttered, down casting my eyes.

"Who about, do I know this person?" Keiichiro asked.

"No, you don't know him, he's dead."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that Kyoko, when did he?"

"Four years ago, he was my brother, my twin," I answered, and then tried to run but he grabbed my arm again.

Keiichiro's POV

There was something about this girl, something in the back of my mind, which remembered her. Yet I haven't spoken to her since today, so it couldn't be. She stared up at me, "Will you let go?"

I didn't, instead I pulled her to me, as if on impulse, "I'm sorry for your loss, but I'm sure he wouldn't want you to mourn after four years."

"What do you know about it, get away from me!" she screamed and pulled out on my embrace and ran away. I followed her with my eyes, but couldn't follow, because something was nagging me. I never met her brother, I didn't know him, I didn't know her, and here I am telling her not to worry. What is wrong with me?

I started to remember why I was even in this part of Tokyo, but then I fainted, and I cursed my illness.

Kyoko's POV

I ran to the woods, this was Shigure's territory, but the landscape gave me tranquility as I started crying. Feeling lonely I walked up to Shigure's house and knocked on his door. He opened it, "Ah Kyoko-chan, what are you doing here?"

I looked up at Shigure, "C-can I stay here, if just for a little while, please?

Shigure nodded, allowing me inside, "You're always welcome here Kyoko-chan."

Shigure's POV

I haven't seen Kyoko in such bad shape since Kyo and Tohru's wedding, and she looks the same. I smiled at her as she pulled off her shoes and sat under the kotatsu and laid her head down on the top. Sitting down next to her I didn't ask, she just wanted some comfort, a get away. When she spoke, "Do you remember Kyo-kun?"

I sighed, her brother again, when was this girl going to move on, "Yes, I remember him, you two were inseparable."

"I don't think many remember him, and I can't take it Shigure-jisan. It seems like everyone who knew him, is going to forget him. I don't want to be one of them," Kyoko stated, looking at me with those helpless eyes, "Remember the day Kazuki was born, remember when Kyo-kun was buried? Remember when mom and dad got married?"

"Of course I remember those days," I answered, but I really remembered Kyoko's reaction the most.

Flashback…

Kyoko watched as the ceremony took place, as they lowered the jar with her brother's ashes into the ground. Tears sprang forth and she looked away, and no one would understand, no one would. She would always blame herself, no matter what; she knew she killed her brother, which he didn't die of heart problems. Hugging herself she watched as people told her small words of condolence and sympathy, but the people had no faces, nothing reached her, nothing. After the few days she visited his grave, but soon she stopped, because people started acting weird around her.

End

I looked at her even more intrigued but then continued into the next flashback.

Flashback

Kyoko sat there in the crowd of Sohmas as she watched her mother and father kiss each other, sealing their future together. Everyone was so happy, but not Kyoko, she was upset deeply, because her brother wasn't there to witness it. Hugging herself, she felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned around to see Shigure, "Lighten up Kyoko-chan, he would want you to be happy."

I nodded, but pushed his hand away, "I know mom and dad waited till I said I was ready, demo, I don't think I was. Don't get me wrong, I love mom and dad, it's just I wish Kyo-kun was here."

"All of us do, why don't you visit his grave, tell him what you're up to. I bet he needs a friend to tell him," came Shigure's voice, "After all, I know your mother is going to visit your grandma."

Kyoko nodded, "Thank-you Shigure-jisan."

"You're most very welcome Kyoko-chan, now why don't you just try to enjoy the party?"

Kyoko nodded, but trying was hard for her.

End

Hugging her, she looked at me, "You were there, I wanted mom and dad to be happy, but I didn't want them to think they needed to stop for me. I wanted them to move on."

"I know Kyoko-chan."

Flashback

Kyoko sat there as she watched her mother go through labor pains and jut sat there, watching. Her father clung to Tohru's hand, and Arisa and Hana both stood there on the other side, holding onto her other hand. She watched as her new baby brother was born, but that baby was getting Kyo-kun's room and she didn't want him to. Why couldn't she get his room, that's what she wanted, his room, but her parents told her that it would just depress her more. For that she was angry, but didn't say anything. When the baby was born, she was asked if she would like to name him, Kyoko didn't say anything.

Kyoko ran out of the room instead, and left the adults to name him. "I know what to name him Tohru," came Hana's soft voice.

"What do you think?" asked Tohru and Kyo.

"Kazuki, for a fresh new start," Hana replied, "for all of you."

"That's a perfect name, Kyoko-san would've been proud!" came Arisa's voice.

"What do you think Tohru?"

"I think it's a perfect name," Tohru answered, looking down at the newborn child, who had Tohru's hair color and Kyo's eyes.

End

Regular POV

Kyoko looked up at Shigure and smiled, before fainting onto the table. Hugging Kyoko he sighed, "You'll be okay Kyoko." With that he got to the phone and dialed a number to Tohru's house and told them Kyoko was at his house and she was in good hands.

Meanwhile…

Keiichiro woke up in a hospital to see his mother standing over him, "Mom, what happened?"

"Something happened and triggered one of your attacks. Luckily someone found you and brought you here, and you were treated immediately."

"I hate this illness, it's holding me back, and I want a life mom," Keiichiro whined.

"I know, but your body was under stress, and you needed to rest."

"Mom…"

"Shh…I know, I know."

Keiichiro closed his eyes and rested, feeling at peace suddenly, but the girl in his dreams still haunted him, the girl who's smile was as clear as day. Somewhere, he had met her, somewhere that he did not remember. Yet somewhere he did, and his mind wouldn't let him forget it.

TBC…