Kyou-chan: Alas, curse you band practice! This would have been finished sooner if not for that.

Umi-chan: And I still had to finish the chapter for you.

Chapter Fourteen: Of things to come

I fingered the rope Midori had bought me as I stared out the window. The shopping trip actually didn't last that long, Aya said we just needed a new outfit for the party. Actually it wasn't as simple as that, we had to go out and try on multiple outfits but I decided on a short black skirt and a maroon bell sleeved shirt.

Midori, Yuki and I sat in the back seat in silence but listened in on the others' conversations. Arisa and Kyou kept arguing about something pointless and Hana and Tohru were chattering like birds.

Every once in a while I could feel Midori staring at me but when I would glance back she'd shift her gaze. I couldn't help but feel guilty about saying she tortured kids as a little kid but I really couldn't talk to her about it.

As we pulled up through the gate back to the house I couldn't help but leap out of the car to get away from the noise. I leaned my head back and rubbed my temples mumbling, "I wanna go to bed…"

I turned around just in time to see Ritsu fall to the ground.

"What the hell?" I jerked back as Ritsu twitched uncontrollably, Shigure laughed a little and pranced off. Midori's eyes were as wide as I'd ever seen them and Yuki just sighed and started walking away.

The sick twisted side of me started to take control and I couldn't help but start to laugh wildly. Bob had driven the car off and everyone else had walked away, so the only people left were Ritsu and I.

"Rity that is the funniest-" I started to loose my balance but I backed up into a tree. "That's the funniest thing I've ever seen!" Poor Ritsu sat up and looked at me as if he were going to cry at first but his expression quickly changed.

"I'M SORRY THAT I CAUSED YOU TO FALL IT'S MY ENTIRE FAULT THE WORLD SHOULDN'T ALLOW ME TO EVEN EXIST! I AM SUCH A BURDEN AND MY NAMES RITSU NOT RITY! OH MY GOD I'M SO SORRY YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO CALL ME RITSU IF YOU DON'T WANT TO!" He breathed heavily trying to catch his breath.

"Uh Rity… It's ok, I just thought you were funny that's all." I smiled and helped him up.

"Oh, well, sorry that I was so…" He looked down at the ground and didn't continue. I took a deep breath, there are people crazier then I am. The Sohma family is living proof.

"Rity it's ok, I understand. Quit apologizing." We stood for a moment just breathing in the air and feeling the freezing wind waft by. "Hey, I should probably be getting back. You ok?" I asked worried, I didn't really know him that well but I could tell he was a nervous wreck.

He straightened himself before answering, "Yes, I'm fine now. Good bye!" And he darted off towards his house. Biting my lip I started for the girls' house avoiding the direction of Aki's mansion at all costs. With every step I took I just felt like my head was going to explode, all's I wanted to do was to go to bed but I knew I needed to get ready for the next party… banquet… what ever its called.

When I slid the door open and went inside I didn't even bother to stop and say hey to the people who were sitting in the living room. Well for that matter, I didn't even take my muddy boots off. I never do take them off to wear those slipper things. I couldn't really care less and my head hurts and I need sleep, isn't this just a nice evening?!

Marching past them they all grew quiet as if they were talking about me again but I really don't care right now. When I finally got into my room all's I wanted to do was to fall on my bed and sleep.

I flopped down headfirst and just moaned into my pillows. As I rolled over I started to think about things that had happened in my life, just little unimportant things like my first flight to America or my first bike.

Staring at the ceiling I noticed a black bug crawling across it. Suddenly I felt the strongest urge to throw up.

I hate bugs.

Anything but Dragonflies and ladybugs just really creep me out.

Slowly I sat up pulling the silky robe Aki had given me onto my lap while rubbing the side of my head. Got to kill the damn bug.

"Why were you crying last night?" I jumped at the sound of Midori's voice.

Midori stood in the corner by the window; I guess she was already dressed for the party, for her clothes were different from what I had seen her in earlier. Her dress was long and low cut with glittering black sleeves. She looked really pretty with her hair down and a black necklace around her neck.

"Why?" She repeated and walked around her bed and came and sat next to me never ceasing her glare through those dark eyes.

"I…" I tightened my grip on the robe wringing it around in my hands, choking on my own words. "Yuki was right." I mumbled.

Midori put her hand on my shoulder to comfort me without words. Tears brimmed in my eyes but I fought desperately to hold them back.

"Yo, lynch girl and Midori; we need to start dragging our asses to the next banquet thing." Arisa pounded on the door. Midori growled and removed her hand from my shoulder, helping me to my feet.

"Thanks Midori… you go on ahead without me a need some fresh air and a moment to myself." I mumbled, staring at my boots. Midori nodded and left reluctantly.

Sighing, I waited until everyone had left the house and then stepped outside watching my breath float away in the cold air.

"Trying to hide from me now?" I stiffened at the sound of Aki's voice. He put his arm around my shoulders and I refused to look at him. "I'd like to have a little chat…" Akito breathed.

Umi-chan: Time for me to go think up my own chapter!