Umi-chan: Now who's the one writing late chapters?

Kyou-chan: Sorry!

Chapter Eight: Pohli's Past

Groggily, I climbed out of bed hoping I wasn't the only one that was just getting up out of bed. I was still wearing the robe that the guy, well Akito had given me. Midori's bed was already made, and all of her things put away. I sighed and smoothed out a crease in the fabric remembering what had happened last night.

"Sleep now Tohru's friend's cousin. All will be well in the morning." He had told me. Strange, I had fallen asleep in his house yet I hadn't even asked his name or told him mine.

"Did Akito do anything to harm you?" Yuki's words echoed through my head over and over. Why was he so afraid of him? He seemed like a really nice guy to me, other then the fact that he's got some personality-switching thing going on in him. Oh yah and that glaring but…

"Oh hey, your up." Arisa popped her head in the door. "Get dressed, the boys are coming over for breakfast, oh yah, don't you dare lock me out of this room, that worked once but never again-" She swung one of my ropes around in circles. My eyes widened, I HAD LEFT THE THINGS MOST DEAR TO ME WITH THOSE MANIACS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Ok they weren't really maniacs but still…)

I jumped to my feet chasing after her as she ran from the room. Apparently the electricity was still down because no lights were on and Tohru was in the kitchen making breakfast. All that there was that required no heat and all was:

Dried ramen noodles.

I sped past her as Kyou mumbled and complained about eating dried noodles, (personally I enjoyed eating them uncooked, and they are rather good.) Arisa kept ahead of me only out of my arms reach.

Akito's robe, all nice and smooth was now getting terribly screwed up from all this running. She stuck her tongue out at me as she ran in front of the front door threatening to burn the purple rope with a Zippo lighter.

"See, you shouldn't sleep in late bone head!" She held the lighter higher and closer to it.

"No, please, don't burn it." I cried out from across the room. She smirked at me a little more before finally holding both of them up, burning the stray threads off.

Tsuka, oh thank God for him. The little dude came out of nowhere and went straight for Arisa and my rope. Arisa (not knowing who Tsuka was) screamed in fright, throwing my rope up and burning herself with the lighter. She stomped the ground trying to crush the little cat as he picked up the rope. I quickly snatched him up and ran back into the room slamming the door behind me. I sat Tsuka down on Midori's bed and sat onto my own twisting my rope tightly around my palms over and over. I heard the door open and I heard Midori sit down on her bed.

"Pohli," I heard Midori start but I didn't even look up, "Thank you for saving Tsuka." I gritted my teeth, angry at Arisa.

"I hate her." I whispered almost inaudible.

Midori looked at me quizzically. "What?"

"I hate her!" I said louder. "She hates me. I don't know why I came to see her and her stupid family! All they do is yell at me and say how unimportant I am. Arisa could tell them off but she goes on letting them be afraid of me! It's not my fault that-" I stopped taking a deep breath. Midori sat there staring at me intently. "I live with my dad…" I sniffled. "My mom died, back when I was a little kid. I… I saw her die…" I became aware of Yuki standing in the doorway. "I was four years old, playing in the kitchen. Dad was out getting groceries while mom sat next to me and played with my dolls." I laughed lightly remembering.

"We had heard about an escape… no a breakout from the prison that we lived near the night before. Mom… they came into the house, she tried to fight them off. They didn't see my cause she had thrown me under a kitchen cabinet." I started choking up after that, not able to speak. "We didn't live in Japan then, since Dad's American and all so…" I wiped my face trying to dry it off. Yuki had come and sat down on a chair by the bed. "I watched my mom die! I waited an hour before my dad got home; I waited an hour with her body right in front of me." I stared at the floor trying hard not to have flashbacks. "After that, everyone said I was crazy because I started to carry lynching ropes around trying to protect myself, I got caught hanging a kid that I hated and Dad… well… we kept moving after that. I never really killed anyone but people didn't like me, they didn't understand any thing at all!" I burst out crying holding myself.

Midori and Yuki both got up and sat down beside me. I felt so stupid crying like that, in front of them. I couldn't help it; they were the first people I had told about what had happened that day so long ago. Midori let me lean against her as I cried, and Yuki just talked. I don't remember what he said at all but what he said was soft and kind and helped me calm down. I basically cried myself dry; no more tears came out at all.

"Sorry, about all that I couldn't hold it in any more. I know you don't care but I really don't have anyone to talk to who will listen." I apologized and wiped my face on my soaking wet tear soaked sleeve.

"No, there's no reason to apologize for speaking your mind." Yuki smiled as I looked at him, he put a hand on my arm as Midori agreed.

"Maybe we should let you have some time to be alone," Midori started, a small smile of compassion forming on her face, "We'll make everyone leave you alone." She rose to her feet and started for the door. I leaned my head on Yuki's shoulder to thank him; I never was much for hugs. He seemed to understand for he put his on mine and squeezed my hand before standing as well.

"Thanks." I muttered as they left and shut the door leaving me alone (apparently Midori took Tsuka). I guess that since mom died, I withdrew from the normal world. I never really had any friends, just people who I would follow. Sometimes it's nice having rumors about being a wild murderer, I mean I walk into the cafeteria and everyone clears away. I never have to work for money. I walk by and little first years toss all their cash at my feet so I won't hang them.

I sighed and stood up grabbing clean clothes out of my bag. After I dressed I decided I needed to get out again, go off and explore. Pulling my coat on and closing my eyes I slid open the sliding door, breathing in the icy morning air.

"Is that why everyone's afraid of you?" I opened my eyes recognizing the voice.

It was Akito's.

He was sitting on the porch wearing what looked like a black school uniform. He had one leg dangling over the edge while leaning on the other. I stepped out and closed the door silently. I walked over beside him and leaned on a support beam. "They tell me your name is Akito." I said nonchalantly and he laughed.

"Yes," he stood up and faced me bowing "I am Akito Sohma and you would be?" I watched as he stood up and moved closer to me.

"I am Pohli Uotani." I awkwardly bowed and turned away from him. He obviously wasn't going anywhere because he sat back down. The ice had been cleared off of the pathways and roads because of the suns heat. Ice cycles were glinting, sending colors all around. It was really pretty, I never used to see colors like this; even if they had been there I always shut them out.

The silence had gone on for quite some time before he spoke, "Yes, you are Yuki's friend then correct?" He glared at me through the corner of his eyes.

"I guess so…" I mumbled stretching my legs out.

He took a deep breath before mumbling, "I should pay him a visit." He looked up at me and gave a small smile. "You'll be staying for three days, the entire banquet time correct?" I nodded slightly. "Of course you're welcome to come to the first two celebrations although you aren't allowed to the last. But, I will see you and your 'friends' tonight then correct?" Once again I nodded and jumped down into the slushy ground splashing icy water all over myself.

"Gross." I complained and pulled my jeans up and out of harms way. I looked like I was wearing high water shorts; I jumped around to dry till I was back on the porch. I was wiping my shoes off as he rose to his feet. "I think I'll pay everyone a visit." He smirked and came over to me taking my arm. "Shall we?" I blushed as he grabbed my arm and held it through his as we passed through my bedroom and into the living room. We stepped into the hallway for a moment we just stood there watching everyone. Ayame, Hatori and Shigure had finally come over and were eating. Haru was threatening to break Kyou's back while Arisa cheered him on. Saki was talking with Tohru and Midori, Momiji and Yuki didn't seem to be anywhere around. Akito walked in pulling me alone and announced to the room, "Hello."

I blushed as everyone turned to us with fear on their faces.

TO BE CONTINUED

Umi-chan: So sad… it made me cry… well not really but it was still sad!

Kyou-chan: Gee, thanks…