Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.
We're up to chapter seven, and a short end is NOT in sight! I give up counting votes - I get too confused. I think they're about even, or Kyo might actually have the edge on this one! Anyway, next chapter!
Please review if you read. Comments, ideas,suggestions, and helpful criticism is welcome.
"I dunno why you want to talk to me," Haru mumbled, facing off both Hatori and Shigure moments later.
"You know something about Miss Dylan and that man," Hatori said sharply. "I would like to know what."
Haru muttered something, but Shigure picked it up easily. He whispered something in Hatori's ear, and the doctor's frown deepened in disgust.
"Perhaps it is best to erase her memory completely," he agreed, but Haru's eyes widened.
"You can't do that!" he protested.
"And why not?"
"You just…you can't," he repeated stubbornly.
"Hatori, what if we tell Akito this girl's identity?" Shigure suggested. "Surely it wouldn't cause any further harm. We can see what he has to say, and decide then. Let her keep her memory – for now, at least."
"All right," Hatori relented, and strode out of the room. Coming upon Chloe, who was sitting on the porch waiting for him to erase her mind, he looked down at her, his face expressionless. "I won't be needing anything further from you tonight, Miss Dylan. Have a good night."
Chloe's gaze, one of disbelief, followed the doctor as he strode to his car, and remained staring blankly into the night after he had driven away.
"You okay?" Kyo asked, jumping down from the roof suddenly. She looked at him, and shrugged quietly. He slouched next to her, and stretched lazily. "We might as well go to bed, Chloe. We've still got school tomorrow, after all."
"Sure," she nodded, and stood up. She looked at Kyo before going inside the house, and he gazed after her. Something in her face bothered him – her eyes held both pain and hatred, and he felt an uncomfortable bond with those emotions.
"It's not fair to lock someone in a cage with me," he thought savagely, leaping back onto the roof. "But…but what if that someone is already in a cage to begin with?"
"Chloe? Are you okay?" Tohru whispered, softly shaking her bedmate. The other girl continued to shake, as if she was freezing, and suddenly bolted upright, her hair lank with sweat.
"My…it's…Tohru?" Chloe blinked, and seemed surprised to find herself in a strange bedroom.
"You were having a nightmare, Chloe," Tohru said quietly, and Chloe slumped over, her face in her hands. "Chloe…was it bad?" Tohru asked, her hand on the girl's back. She nodded silently, and then rolled over on her side.
"Sorry for waking you, Tohru," she whispered back, and lay quietly for a few more minutes. Not being able to fall back asleep, she swung her legs to the ground, and slipped out of bed. Tohru had fallen asleep again, and Chloe ran her hand through her messy hair tiredly before tiptoeing out of the room.
Barefoot and wearing a white shirt with mint-green pants, Chloe shivered slightly as she made her way outside, but took a deep breath of the cold air to clear her head.
"I wish it was just a dream," she thought, looking around at the nighttime view. Glancing up at the roof, she shuffled over to the side of the house, and pulled herself up to the highest point. To her surprise, Kyo was still on it, apparently asleep.
Crawling gingerly over to him, she rested her head on her knees as she looked at the stars, and sighed heavily at the peacefulness surrounding her.
"What are you doing up?"
"Kyo!" Chloe gasped, almost falling off the roof in surprise. He grabbed her elbow, and she settled herself back down as he sat up.
"Sorry."
"I thought you were asleep," she said in embarrassment, and he shrugged.
"Nah…couldn't sleep. So, what're you doing up? You don't even have shoes on?" he realized, and she laughed weakly.
"Well…I'm not that cold," she lied, and he glared at her.
"Stupid girl, gonna get yourself sick," he muttered, and slid off the roof. Chloe's face fell, thinking he had left, but she looked back up as he reappeared minutes later, carrying a large bathrobe and a pair of slippers.
"Huh?"
"They probably won't fit – they're that damn Dog's – but they're warm," Kyo told her, shoving them toward her. She took them gratefully, and slipped on the gray clothing. Snuggling into the soft cloth, she looked at him and smiled.
"Thanks, Kyo."
"Well, it's your own damn fault if you get sick," he said, turning slightly red. She looked away again, and they remained staring at the stars for a while longer in silence. Suddenly, Chloe yawned loudly, and he glanced at her. "Why don't you go back to bed?"
"I don't want…to wake up Tohru…again," she murmured sleepily, and shifted closer to him. He flopped onto his back in exasperation at her stubbornness, and almost jumped up again in surprise when she laid next to him.
"What the…?" he wondered, as she moved next to him. She rested her head on his shoulder, and kept her arms away to prevent herself from hugging him. He relaxed when he realized she had fallen asleep, and watched his breath make clouds in the air before him. "Damn girl…making me snuggle…"
"So, this girl is related to us?" Akito asked in faint amusement. Shigure watched the head of the family sharply, while Hatori continued to look at the floor. "And you were going to wipe her mind without consulting me first?"
"We thought it would be best not to trouble you, Akito," Hatori said solemnly. "This girl is only a very faint relative, and she is not cursed. I feared she would cause problems for us, however, and thought it would be best to keep her away from the family."
"And why would she cause problems?" Akito asked, a little too sweetly.
"If she learned of her connection, she may demand that we recognize her as family," Hatori told him. "Her mother's grandfather was an illegitimate child, and for that reason was disowned, as you surely know, since you continued the banishment of the descendents."
"Still…she may be useful for something," Akito said thoughtfully. "Does she have any relationships with any of the Zodiac members?"
"Hatsuharu seems to despise her, though that seems to have lessened slightly as of late," Shigure said reluctantly. "Kyo, on the other hand, appears to have developed strong feelings for her."
"That monster should be reminded that he isn't allowed to love anyone," Akito chuckled, and Shigure inwardly winced. "Bring him here after school, Hatori. I wish to speak to him. And allow the girl to retain her memory and stay at Shigure's house for now."
"Yes, Akito," Hatori nodded. Both adults stood, and bowed before leaving.
"Well, this is interesting," Shigure commented quietly, as Hatori walked him to the gates. "I wonder what Akito is planning?"
"If anyone would know, it would be you, Shigure," Hatori commented dryly, and Shigure smiled thinly.
"Yes, I suppose it will be," he admitted, and then looked at the sky. "What a beautiful day. I wish it would last forever."
"I'm not goin'!" Kyo argued, while Haru and Momiji stood by the car, watching the Dragon fight with the Cat. "Forget it!"
"You'll go, or I'll take Chloe instead," Hatori said quietly, stopping Kyo in his tracks. He abruptly spun around, and slammed the car door as he climbed in.
"Come on, Haru!" Momiji tugged the Ox, and dragged him into the car as well as Hatori started it.
"What was all that about?" Chloe asked blankly, as she, Tohru, and Yuki watched the scene further away.
"I suppose Akito wants to see Kyo for some reason," Yuki said calmly, and Tohru gasped.
"Oh! Do you think it's a good thing, or…?"
"I wouldn't worry too much, Tohru. Or you, Miss Dylan," Yuki added. "I'm sure that stupid Cat did something to deserve it."
"For a monster, you certainly seem to think you have the right to love quite a few people," Akito began. "Or at least, think you love them."
"Now what are you babbling about?" Kyo demanded, slightly nervous. Akito sat on the porch, his back to Kyo, who stood by the wall. "If you're just going to ramble on, I'm leaving."
"Miss Dylan seems to have captured your attention lately."
"What does Chloe have to do with anything?" Kyo asked, his eyes widening. The episode where Akito had warned him away from Tohru came back to the front of his mind, and the Cat's breathing quickened slightly.
"Miss Dylan is a distant relative, did you know that?" Akito asked coolly. "Of course, her great-grandfather was an illegitimate bastard and the Snake, but still, the relation is there. And her aunt is really her mother – or did you not know that either?"
"You're a damn liar," Kyo glared at him.
"Hatori can show you the records. Of course, I don't believe Miss Dylan has any knowledge of this," Akito informed him, a small smile playing on his lips. Kyo moved a little closer as Akito's voice dropped. "You're a monster, Kyo – or did you forget that? You'll be in a cage once you finish school, seeing as you can't beat Yuki."
"I don't want to beat that damn Rat," Kyo muttered, clenching his fists. "But I won't be in a cage my whole life, Akito."
"It's not fair to lock someone else in a cage with you, Kyo," Akito continued, as if Kyo hadn't even spoken. "Isn't that why you left Tohru to Yuki? Or did you just realize that your love is fleeting – that you're not capable of truly loving anyone?"
"I don't know how you can talk, seeing as you can't either," the Cat retorted, backing up once more. If he had been in his cat form, his tail would have been stiff as a broomstick.
"I've frightened you, poor Kyo," Akito said mockingly, and stood up abruptly. "If you don't wish anything to happen to Miss Dylan, you would do well to remember that you are a monster, and you're not capable of love."
"I am, Akito!" Kyo shouted suddenly. "And what if I love someone who's in a cage like mine? Is that a punishment then?"
"A cage, you say?" Akito's eyes gleamed, and Kyo swore at himself mentally. "What cage is Miss Dylan in? Kyo?"
"I don't know," he mumbled. Akito shook his head, clicking his tongue.
"Don't lie to me, Kyo," he said reproachfully, his fingers reaching Kyo's temple. "Now, what cage is Miss Dylan in that you think it would be fair to lock her in with you?"
"Find out yourself – or ask Hatori to," Kyo burst out, and rushed out of the room before he could say anything else. Akito remained still, shocked that the Cat dared to leave him without permission. Suddenly, he began to laugh, and the laughs shook his thin body until he was forced to sit down.
"You shouldn't exert yourself like that, Akito," Hatori said calmly, entering the room. "I saw Kyo running outside. Do you want him to come back?"
"No," Akito shook his head, tears running down his face. "I believe I have discovered something very interesting about Miss Dylan, Hatori. And Kyo understands what I needed to tell him."
"What else have you found out about Miss Dylan?" Hatori asked emotionlessly.
"She is in a cage, just like that Cat," Akito said thoughtfully. "I want you to find out what that Cat meant, Hatori. Find out, and tell me immediately."
"As you wish, Akito," Hatori bowed slightly, and strode from the room.
"Are you all right, Kyo?" Tohru asked, as the Cat rushed into the main room of Shigure's house.
"Yeah," he panted, "I just went for a run, that's all. Where's Chloe?"
"Sensei asked her to stay after school for tutoring right after you left," Tohru told him, and Yuki nodded. "Sensei thinks she's making progress, but he wants her to keep studying with him."
"Oh."
"Are you hungry?" Tohru asked, and then looked up as Shigure came in.
"Hello, everyone!" the Dog said happily, and then turned sober when he saw Kyo's face. "Oh dear. I take it you saw Akito today, Kyo?"
"You damn well know I did!" Kyo shouted, dragging the Dog into another room. Yuki acted oblivious to the fighting, and Tohru fidgeted nervously as they listened to the muffled yells coming from the other room.
"I have a suggestion to make, Chloe," her teacher said suddenly, as she was preparing to leave.
"Yes, Sensei?" she blinked, looking up from her bag.
"Hatsuharu Sohma mentioned that you do very well if someone helps you to read," he said, and she inwardly groaned. "I think it might be beneficial if someone helped you with that. That way, you could be sure that you were translating correctly, and it helps some people of they hear as well as see a language. Since Hatsuharu brought it up, I would like to have you two work together after school, if you have no objections?"
"Other than he's a nosy, arrogant bastard?" Chloe muttered mentally, but smiled at her teacher painfully. "None that I can think of, Sensei."
"Good. I'll talk to him tomorrow, and you two can start tomorrow," he nodded in satisfaction, and called out as she reached the door. "Chloe, you're progressing very well."
"Thank you, Sensei."
"If there's anything troubling you, I want you to know I and the rest of the staff are here to help our students," he continued suddenly, and she blinked in surprise.
"Thank you, Sensei. I'm fine," she told him, and rushed out of the room. Peering after his student shrewdly, he shook his head and returned to his papers.
"Why would Sensei say something like that?" Chloe wondered, as she strode back to the house. "I mean…"
"Hey."
"Ack!"
"I thought I told you not to walk home in the dark alone," Kyo reprimanded her gently, and she sighed.
"Well, everyone went home, and I didn't want to bother anyone by asking someone to stay later with me while I was tutored," she protested. "I mean, you left, and I didn't want Tohru to have to walk home alone."
"Ask that stupid Rabbit next time," Kyo muttered.
"Well, Sensei wants Haru to stay after school and help me study now," she sighed, and Kyo jumped.
"What?"
"Yeah, I know," she groaned, and shrugged. "But at least I'll have someone to walk home with now."
"I'll stay after school too," Kyo told her roughly. "There's no way in hell I'm gonna leave you alone with that damn Ox every day. I can get my work done while I wait, so it's not a problem."
"I couldn't ask you to –"
"You're not, I'm volunteering," he interrupted her. "So don't worry about, all right? Come on, I wanna get home before it gets any darker."
Chloe nodded, and jogged after the Cat as he stalked off, his back stiff from embarrassment.
"There's no telling what Akito might make that damn Ox do if he's alone with her every day," Kyo thought, making sure Chloe was still behind him. "Or he might send Hatori, even. There's no way I'm going to leave her by herself."
"What did you find out, Hatori?" Akito asked sharply, as the doctor entered the room last night.
"Miss Dylan has been sexually abused by someone in her family," Hatori revealed. "Her mother – Tomiko – has taken her to several doctors since she's been in Japan, and even more in America. It started almost a year ago. I believe it is Derek Reilly, Anna Dylan's boyfriend of over a year."
"Well, that certainly seems what that Cat meant by a cage," Akito said, taking little measures to keep the pleasure out of his voice. Hatori watched emotionlessly as Akito fell silent, deciding how best to use this new information to manipulate his family.
"You can stop sulking, because I didn't do this on purpose," Haru said patiently the next afternoon, as the two sat in the classroom. True to his word, Kyo had stayed, and was sitting in the next classroom working on his own homework.
"I'm not sulking."
"Yes you are."
"I'm not."
"You won't talk, or look at me," he informed her. "Listen – truce?"
"What?" she blinked, and looked at him in surprise. "Why?"
"No reason," he shrugged, and turned back to the book. "If her damn memory isn't going to be erased, I may as learn to put up with her. I'm not going to get away from her, that's for damn sure."
Ah...Akito is in the picture again as well now!
SasukeBlade: We're back to seagulls again! (grins) Good idea, but I don't think Chloe would fall for that. Am I still winning you over to Kyo/OC yet?
Adam: I'm not sure either. I think more people want Kyo, though. To be honest...so do I!
Cows-roc-my-world: You HATE me? sobs So sad...and I'm updating at midnight for you too!
linleigh.bell: Yea! I'm sorta doing that...I have a soft spot for Kyo this story, and it was supposed to be Haru in the beginning. I BEGAN this story with the purpose of having Haru/OC. It's weird how it all works out...
Hitaru: See? Haru's nice again! I wasn't going to make him a bastard for the whole story...I love 'em too much! And...if you're hugging him, you're hugging a cow now.