Chapter Two: Arisa's Cousin

(Pohli's POV)

Damn, I really hate having to stay with Arisa. Dad says it's good for me but all she does is try to provoke me. Not only that but now we're going off to the 'Sohma mansion' or something like that.New Years is a really big thing in Japan apparently... not that it isn't back in the states, but this is when you should be partying with friends, not family.

"Why are we going, again?" I asked, adding an extra emphasis on the word again.

"It's none of your business." Arisa replied flatly. "We are just going with Prince Charming and Orange Top to their family's New Years party, so don't try and kill anybody, okay? They'll be here any minute now..." She sighed and I pulled my coat on. Once again I was being dragged off to some place that I've never even heard of but I didn't voice my complaints. Instead, I pulled out a long black silk cord of rope.

Instantly, Arisa narrowed her eyes at me. "What did I just tell you? Just 'cause you haven't been in Japan for a while doesn't mean you should forgot decency. I mean come on, you can try and control yourself for three days."

While toning out my stupid cousin's rambling, I twisted the cord around my hand.

"Like you're any better..." I mumbled as the doorbell rang.

Arisa jumped to her feet, racing to the door, and practically throwing me out of the way. "Tohru! Hey!"

I stood up, shoving the cord in my pocket and headed outside after Arisa. I had forgotten how cold the weather could be out here in the wintertime. Although the weather in the summer isn't that great either, I can't stand the humidity.

There was a pretty large group of people waiting outside to my surprise. I went and stood next to Arisa, waiting to be introduced but I think she was too busy.

"-Yes, oh this is Midori-"

Arisa's goody two-shoes friend, Tohru, gestured to a girl with shiny raven hair and wearing all black. I sighed out of frustration and bumped into someone.

"Oh I'm sorry." I turned and saw two boys fighting. Apparently Mr. Orange Top over there had bumped into me. "Excuse me..." I said nicely ashe continued toignore me. My eyes flared with anger and I ripped an orange cord out of my pocket, twisting it around till it made a loop. And as soon as the orange-haired boy drew close I snagged him, yanking him to the ground. (I always make sure my cords match my victims. You know, trademark stuff.)

"I SAID EXCUSE ME!" I shouted in his ear as I placed a foot on his back. The other boy with dark silvery hair just looked at me through wide violet eyes.

"I see you've met Orange top." Arisa remarked dully.

I turned around to see my cousin leaning on some random pipe she picked up off the streets. Snapping back to reality, I looked at the rope that was firmly around the boy's neck, making his face turn slightly purple...

Instantly, I yanked it off of him. "Arisa, it's not what it looks like I-" I stuttered to my cousin, but she didn't even look at me and headed towards the boy who was gasping for air, swinging her pipe around.

"So, Orange Top, have you learned your lesson?" Then she whacked him a couple of times on the head with her pipe.

I sat there in disbelief. I was the one who had started it and she was yelling at him? This didn't make much sense… I thought she told me to behave?

Arisa turned back towards the rest of the group and myself. "I guess I ought to introduce you to them. Everyone, this is Pohli Uotani." She fumbled over her words as some wispy strands of blonde hair blew into her mouth.

"Ok, this is Tohru but you already knew her," Arisa moved on to a black haired guy wearing a kimono. "This is Shigure Sohma. And this is Yuki Sohma who invited us to come." Yuki, the guy who had been arguing with Orange Top, didn't seem like he was happy to have invited us while Shigure was singing to himself for some odd reason. She moved on to the girl who was 'Midori' and apparently Midori's sister. "This is my good friend Saki."

I gave Midori a nervous look before sticking my hand out to shake hers. That's when I remembered I was in Japan and you have to bow, so I quickly withdrew my hand.

Midori kept glaring at me even after we moved on to 'Orange Top'.

Apparently Orange Top's real name is Kyou Sohma and he was Yuki's cousin. They really don't look anything alike, especially compared to Arisa and I. We could be sisters for all I know. But that would be bad...

Well anyways, I followed the group for a while. Kyou and Arisa were fighting constantly. Kyou and Yuki fought constantly… hell, Kyou just plain fought with everybody. I watched as Arisa whacked him on the head again. I started to laugh and Shigure began to annoy Kyou with silly nicknames and perverted remarks. It was hard not to laugh even though I barely knew any of these people.

Steadily, I edged my way towards the back of the noisy group. The sun had already set and most people were probably heading off to bed. I didn't really want to get stuck with them if they got arrested for being so disruptive and noisy. Although I bet that Yuki and Kyou could beat a cop upreal quick...

I kept backing up till I tripped on someone behind me. I turned around to see that Midori girl. I stifled a yelp. I could have sworn she was just up there with Saki a moment ago!

"Uh… hi, sorry about that." I said quietly while rubbing the back of my head.

After that we just walked together in silence. I didn't really know what to say. Although, I did go through my inventory of ropes and I found a nice purplish one that probably would fit her nicely... Although it's a little big for her, I think I could cut it maybe...

"We're here." She muttered and I looked up to see the Sohma mansion. Man, they weren't kidding about the mansion part! I mean, DAMN! It's huge!

We all wandered pastthe front gates and then through a maze of smaller houses. Eventually some guy greeted us. He introduced himself to be Hatori, but I was too busy being in silent awe of this place.

Hatori took us girls to our own little house, right next to the boys. He said that Haru, Aya, Momiji, and he would also be staying in the house right next door, as if I knew whom the hell they were.

As soon as we got inside five jaws hit the ground.

This place was practically heaven; it was so large and spacious! There was a fountain in the middle of the room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and two bedrooms.

"Man, Orange Top's got some pretty nice money in his family to afford this!" Arisa gleefully said and plopped down on the couch. "Even the couch is nice!"

I could tell by the sound of her voice, we were going to have a great time here at the Sohma mansion. Or at least they would…

TO BE CONTINUED