WOW! OO! I'm updating! Hehe…sorry for the long wait, guys. School has been a pain, plus I had no inspiration for any of my stories. This happened to be the first one I finished, yeah! I was so desperate to finish this one, I handwrote the last two pages in school today so I know I would get it done for you guys! X3! Anyway, time for everyone's favorite part of my fics…SHOUTOUTS!
Midoriyugi-chan: Thank you. :) I'm happy you like the story and my writing style!
Zeto: The Kyo hat was bought at an Anime Convention, but the usually sell them in Borders and such. Aww! Why do you hate Akito? Heh, I'm glad you like the fic, thanks!
Viva Rose: Clings to Kyo will be strong!
Miyabewa: Giggles and hands you a tissue Kyo isn't going to die, I promise. I just can't do that, so you odn't have to worry about that. Hehe, and as for Yuki, he slowly is getting better. And, thank you for the compliment.
KentouKurige: I'm happy that my style has changed...I used to suck...X3! Thanks for reading, Shouri.
MagikPhoenix: Thank you! It's updated and ready for your approval!
Sue Sue Magoo: First off, interesting user name. ;) Yeah, I'm sorry about the Kyo OOC-ness. I mean, if I was in character with him, he'd be cursing left and right, heh. And, thank you. I'm honored to be part of your favs list, and as I usually do, dedicate a chapter to someone, this chapter is for you!
FanFicLunatic234: Love your user name too! About Akito falling for Kyo, I might be able to do that, but as for vice versa, I may have to say no, as Kyo really does love his Yuki-chan. And, thanks!
Anyways, DISCLAIMER TIME!
Kyo: Okay...well...Furuba and anything related to it doesn't belong to Kei.
Yuki: waves
Kyo: OO! Yuki!
Yuki: Sorry...I just haven't really been in the story yet and wanted to say hello!
Kyo: Baka nezumi...
"Substitute"
Chapter 5: It's Easier To Run
I didn't know how much time had elapsed since the first day I had arrived at the Souma house, though it didn't matter much, did it? Time still passed disgustingly slow, a cruel guardian to be mocked by. I had watched the sun pass me by many nights and the moon take its place, as I did take Yuki's place. In a way, the sun and the moon only foreshadowed what would happen to me and to Yuki. The sun; bright and always prevailing, despite rain, snow, any hardship that may plague it, still smiled and never looked at the darker side of things, and that darker side was the moon. The moon, something that was always hidden from the light and shunned by all of those joyous things. Until its time to be shown, it was only outdone by the sun. Either way, the moon did get its time, but even when it was allowed to show its face, it was only cursed and forced to listen to prayers that the sun would soon take over, its reign bringing forth the dawn.
I always thought of that as the comparison between Yuki and myself. Yuki always had that soft smile on his face, one that was adored. I always wore a dark scowl, dark and light. It always seemed to fit the comparison, as I was always overshadowed by him, though I didn't seem to mind much. People thought I did, which was their excuse on why we constantly bickered. Honestly, I can't say why we fought the way we did, why so hatefully, though I can say the fault is my own. He hated me, I hated him. That's how it would remain.
What would happen now? Not that I have become but a pet to Akito and but a fading memory to Yuki. I wonder if anyone has asked about me yet, not like anyone would care, anyway. Shigure was the only one who knew, and if I had to take a guess, Hatori knew as well. I mean, he would have to, since he tends to Akito. So, all in all, I bet two people have me on their mind. One of which may actually be concerned about me, and one feels the utmost pity, for I am in the same position as he is, trapped in the Souma house with a warden whose eyes seemed to never leave you. Though I hadn't seen Hatori lurking around the house, I knew, somewhere, he was hiding.
Lying awake with my arms thrown carelessly over my stomach, I sighed deeply and let my mind wonder. I could only imagine what everyone would think if they saw me like this, submissive and defeated. Hiro would relish in it, no doubt, that damn brat. Kisa, that poor girl, would probably feel pity for me, even if I was a bit cruel to her when she stayed at the house for those couple of days. Ayame, that bastard, he'd laugh, say it's a good lesson for me. Momiji, Haru, everyone...I could only think of what their reaction would be, though I didn't really care. All I cared about was...
A soft knock at the door adverted my attention from my lingered memories of Yuki as I turned quickly to my back and let out a gasp of pain. Those lashes had left me but flesh wounds.
Hell, who am I kidding? Those so called flesh wounds were huge gashes that hurt like a bitch, let me tell you. Though, as cliché as it sounded, the pain that Akito had inflicted on my back, those wounds he created, could never compare to the anguish which settled on my heart. I looked over to the thin paper door, and saw this silhouette didn't match Akito's, no. This was one was a bit taller, more muscular and stronger. Shigure, I thought to myself, as I whispered softly.
"C-come in."
I heard the minute sounds of the door sliding open, as I closed my eyes quickly, almost hoping that I had imagined that knock, and was talking to nothing by stale air. Alas, I had answered to an actual person, one whose expression was stern, emotionless, though soothing to me, as I slowly opened my crimson eyes, looking up at deep jade orbs set in a pale face.
"Hatori?" He said nothing, which wasn't a surprise, as he approached me, his ebony shoes making a soft clicking sound along the hardwood floor. He knelt down before me, still silent. I only watched his movements, precise and exact in every way. He lifted his hand to meet my cheek, as I cringed for obvious reasons. Hatori noticed this, I'm assuming, as he quickly withdrew his slender hand. There was something in his eyes that I didn't like, an uncertainty I wasn't used to. Usually, he had this silent strength to him, his deep hunter eyes always answering any asked questions and understanding any situation. Though now, as I looked up at him, I saw nothing of that sort. I saw pity; I saw things that were so uncharacteristic of the dragon. I always thought dragons to be fierce, to show no pity for anyone around them, them this dragon was tame, one to be trusted and looked upon as a friend.
He remained silent as he maneuvered around me, tracing skeletal fingers over fresh wounds, and sighing softly, as if distressed, concerned. The dragon's bitter façade had faded and sorrow accented his well developed features. I had never seen him like his, well, except when his lost love, Kanna, was brought up. Then, his eyes showed endless sadness and he would slink back in his seat as if pondering 'ifs' and 'whens'. Now, those eyes which belonged to Kanna's memory focused sadly upon me.
"You don't have to be here, ya know." I muttered under my breath, cringing as he proceeded to bandage my wounds with tender hands. "I mean, Akito is gonna be.--"
"Akito told me to do this, Kyo." He responded with a cold tone. "He told me, though he enjoys hearing you whimper. He thinks allowing his 'pet' to be hurt is inhumane." His tone took on a disgusted accent, as my eyes widened.
Pet! His pet! No…I didn't want this to happen…I'll never seen Yuki again. Despite my silent resistance, I am now owned, mind body and soul. Stolen from all I know and love, locked away from the outside, all possibilities of freedom fading before my eyes. Akito, as he had told me, was my God.
"Kyo, I went to see Yuki earlier, and he seems to be recovering just fine. Whether you'd like to believe it or not, he does seem to miss you." Hatori rose, packing his supplies neatly in his bag, moving swiftly towards the door. I longed to beg him to stay, needing his company, longing for interacting beyond Akito's lethal hands and dark eyes. He continued speaking in a monotone voice, his one visible jade orb shimmering with regret, as if he too wanted to stay. "He's quiet, and not the normal silence you may be accustomed to. He won't even confine in Tohru. He's very reserved since you've left, Kyo, and sometimes, I wonder why you did leave, why you're here and not with your family…" He chuckled softly to himself, which surprised me, as I thought Hatori to be one of sophisticated silence, not one to laugh in front of people, but low and behold, before me, he chuckled almost inaudibly. "I don't quite understand your reasoning, but quoting Yuki, 'I miss that stubborn cat.'"
"Does he know…?"
"No, he doesn't know you're here, no will he know." A wave of relief splashed over me, as I knew trust placed in Hatori was well placed.
"Thank you."
"I wonder, Kyo…the cat, in the legend, hated the rat with such passion, though I can't help by wonder, could those feelings change, diminish, and could new feelings bloom in its wake?" With those final words, Hatori disappeared into the silent corridors of the Souma house, and again, I was alone.
I thought long and hard about Hatori's words. Did he know? No, maybe he understood. Hatori had loved and lost, almost how I had. He lived each day reminiscing about Kanna's smile, as I did of Yuki's. As I now see it, Hatori and I share thoughts of fleeting love. He may not have exactly known my feelings for Yuki, but still, in a way that seemed mystical, he sympathized with me.
Night came once more, yet another day without Akito. Relief swept over me, as for once, I felt that I could sleep. Shadows still slithered along under the closed door, though today, they seemed to be images of myself. Dark, looming, though free, not held within a room, only waiting for the light, Akito, to defeat any hope of a return. Maybe that was it. The fact that I helplessly gave into Akito was my downfall. If I just rose to my feet, escaped from the Souma house and ran home, maybe Yuki, without words, would understand my devotion. That's it!
I rose carefully and quietly, sliding through the door and down the halls, cautionsly examining everything around me. At first, it seemed too easy, but sooner then I knew, I was out, free. Looking around and feeling the night's celebratory breeze against my cheeks, I knew that soon, I would see the one I loved. Yuki, I'm coming!
Sorry for that little cliffhanger. Hehehe…I'll try to be a little faster with chapter 6. I think I have a curse with chapter 5. xx Anyway, hope you enjoyed, and as always, questions and comments can be posted in a nice review or e-mailed to me at :Waves: Later!