Disclaimer: Still don't own Fruits Basket.
Chapter 5
Desperately Haru tries to calm his kitten as the poor boy writhes against the bed whimpering in pain. It seems that every time he'd nearly have Kyo lying peacefully then another attack from his tormenting dreams would come. Once during the night, his beloved's ruby eyes gazed sleepily at him as a faint smile played upon his lips before the word sorry escaped. Now he lays there holding his beloved's trembling form whispering any loving endearment he can think of. Finally, his neko stills and they both slip into a deep slumber.
When he awoke the next morning, Haru knew something was wrong. He blinks his tired eyes and sadly gazes at the spot where his Kyo should have slept. In the boy's place was a note scrawled out in the neko's surprisingly neat handwriting.
Haru,
I'm sorry, but I had to leave. I just couldn't stand it if he hurt you. Please move on. You'll find someone better who's actually worthy of your love.
Love Kyo
Tears sting his eyes and he stares blankly at the door. He feels his heart shattering, but does nothing to stop it. Once again his kitten had left him, but this time he received a pathetic note. He sets the note down and throws the nearest lamp at the wall watching as it broke into small shards. Laying his weary body back down, Haru examines the note wondering where his kitten could have gone and he discovers tiny numbers written in the corner almost as if they hadn't wanted to be found. He can barely make it out, but it's enough. He hurriedly dials the phone number and breaths in deeply when it begins to ring. "Pick up, Kyo, please pick up," he chants when he only receives multiple rings then the neko's voice greets his sigh of relief.
"Kyo, where are you?"
"Don't worry, Haru, I'm safe. Please don't call here this early. Wait till noon at least. If he finds out that I'm talking to you, he'll be mad."
"Then give me your address so that I know that you're living in a house."
"Fine, but don't come looking for me."
Haru listens intently to his kitten as he whispers his address and he quickly jots it down.
"Kitten, I love you. Please come home. I don't think I can survive without you."
"I can't, I have to go now. Haru, don't do anything stupid."
He had heard the catch in Kyo's voice and knew that the teen was close to crying. He didn't know whether he should cry with his beloved or be happy that his kitten loved him.
"Kyo, he'll kill you one of these days."
"That doesn't matter to me, as long as you're safe."
The conversation leaves him drained and he snuggles into the pillow Kyo had slept on. As the teen's scent surrounds him, he's haunted by Kyo's final words and he closes his eyes. I'd die if I lost you. How is this going to keep me safe if all I want to do is hurt myself for losing you?
- People surround a tombstone with stony faces, few were crying and some just stared in shock at the name. He notices Shigure trying not to cry as he holds onto Ayame's trembling form. Even Hatori's face had lost its stoic look and takes on one of regret and sadness. Kazuma stands tall and reveals his pain openly almost daring anyone to say something wrong against the child they had just buried. Tohru and Kagura hold onto each other shaking with shock. Even Yuki's amethyst eyes brim with tears as he re-reads the name. Finally he makes it past various family members to find Momiji clutching the tombstone, his small body covering everything but the name Kyo. -
Fighting back the urge to throw up, Haru tugs on some clothes and slips on his sunglasses. He rushes towards Hatori's house and enters it quietly. Easily, perhaps too easily, he finds the car keys and slips back out the door. "Try not to get lost or crash my car," Hatori warms taking a puff on his cigarette as he stares up at the sky passively. He nods at the doctor then takes off running. Please be okay, Kyo.
Finally he arrives at the address Kyo had given him and he bravely knocks. After getting lost twice and nearly hitting three cars, two of which were parked, he had arrived safely. "Sir, no one lives there," a friendly, old lady says only eyeing him slightly suspiciously as she steps onto her porch. "I was told that my friend, Kyo, lived here," he says veiling his grief though his eyes franticly dance around. "Oh, the handsome red eyed boy with gorgeous orange locks?" He nods vigorously then asks, "Do you know where he lives, then?" She smiles then points at the large mansion down the road. "Be careful, the man who runs that house is a demon. May I inquire as to why you're so desperate to find him?" Lowering his head, Haru admits, "I love him." Her laughter is sweet and refreshing then she responds, "Then go get him. Actually he might be at the day care right now, it's only two blocks away. My grandson goes there and says everyone adores your friend."
Disbelief settles over him, but he thanks the woman and heads towards the mansion. Kyo had always hated kids, why would he start liking them now. Knocking heavily on the door, Haru waits impatiently for an answer. "Hello," a petite woman in a black uniform asks and eagerly he responds, "Is Kyo here?" The girl shakes her head and writes a quick note before handing it to him. "If the Master finds out, you never saw me," she warns before closing the door.
The woman had given him clear instructions as to where the day care was located. Who told here I was horrible with directions? He maneuvered the car until he saw the place he was looking for. No one seems surprised when he walks inside and stares in awe at his kitten. A new bruise decorates his cheek and he notes the turtleneck with distaste. Boys ranging from four to seven scramble onto the neko while girls shyly hold his hand or sit next to him as he explains in detail how he fought a bear under a raging waterfall. He looks so happy with these children. "Kyo," he says softly unaware of whether the neko had heard him or not then he begins to walk away.
"Wait up, Haru," a voice calls after him but he ignores it completely. He's happy here those children adore him. I could never make him that happy. "Haru, please stop," the voice pleads and this time he obeys. "Come to the house with me, we can talk there and no one will report back to him what we say. Autumn may be afraid of Domenic, but she would never tell on me," Kyo pleads and with a nod Haru leads him to the car.
As soon as they enter the house, Kyo's warm mouth latches onto his neck and he moans lowly as his hands struggle to free his kitten of the dreadful shirt. "Not here, upstairs," Kyo mummers and he hears the boy's desperation. Shaking his head, Haru says, "Stop, we can't do this. You're not thinking straight," and he pushes the neko away. "I thought that if I gave you what you wanted then you'd leave and not get hurt," Kyo explains trying to hide the bruises around his throat. "I don't want this," he argues but the kitten shakes his head saying, "Yes, you do. You want me as much as I want you, but I can't have you." Chuckling Haru says, "I want your love, honey. Please come home, we had plans and we can make this work."
They hear the door slam shut and emerge from the kitchen. Quietly Haru slips into the shadows as Kyo hugs the man and states, "You're home early." The blonde glares at him then demands, "Whose car is that?" The man's tone chills Kyo and quickly he responds, "I don't know what car you're talking about." The slap echoes in Haru's ears and he glares at the man. "Don't lie to me. You're just a whore! Who are you seeing?" Shaking his head, Kyo lowers his head to stare at the ring Domenic had given him only hours before as an apology. "It's Haru's car, he isn't good with directions and he got lost. I let him come in and eat something before he had to try and find his way back." Anger clouds the man's eyes and he pounds his fist into the shaking boy. "Do you think I'm stupid? You've been screwing him since the day you left," the man growls and prepares to slam his foot down on the cat's head, but Haru grabs his arm pulling him away.
"Bitch, wanna play," Haru snarls letting his anger control his actions and he slams the man into the table. "Go and get into the car," he orders Kyo and wasting no time the boy scrambles to his feet. "Haru, don't kill him, please," the neko begs laying a hand on the boy's shoulder and grabbing the man's throat tightly Haru demands, "Why not? It would take care of all our problems." Shaking his head Kyo whispers, "Haru, you'll get in trouble and then I'll lose you." Finally his softer side awakens and curiously he stares at the neko who's near tears. "What happened?" Smiling, Kyo shakes his head and takes Haru's hand tugging him towards the car. Domenic lunges at them but Kyo punches him then stares in shock at his hand before he jumps into the car locking the doors. "I thought I was doing the right thing, I'm sorry Haru," Kyo says and Haru nods squeezing the boy's hand.
"You sleep too much," Haru jokes opening the door and carrying the barely awake boy into his house. "It's called a cat nap," Kyo mummers sarcastically when he's returned to his feet. Slipping the sapphire ring off, Kyo snuggles against the younger teen saying, "We can pawn this for extra money. We'll have to be careful now, though. He's not after me anymore he wants us dead. Sometimes I can be such a…" "Baka neko," a silky voice interrupts and they stare in shock at the slender figure.