"If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting
Time after time
If you're lost, you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you I will be waiting
Time after time"
Bouncing Along
"Talking"
'Thinking'
StressedTohru nervously stood against the brick of the school wall. Her mind raced as the zodiacs within her argued. She could just see them fighting inside her head as she heard felt each one's emotions. Her mood dampened and tears welled up in her eyes. She slid against the wall and to the ground. He skirt hiked up and she felt the coolness of the cement touch her skin. Tohru frowned as she felt the one of the zodiac's come to the surface. Tohru pushed herself up and plastered on a bright smile. She couldn't live on in sorrow no matter how sad things were.
She walked inside the building and smiled at those that looked at her. It wouldn't do any good if her smile were imperfect. Her smile had to be so perfect; if it were imperfect then they would see what lay beneath the surface. Tohru walked over to her locker and stuck the lunch she packed inside of it. Her hands gathered what books she needed to start the day off. Echoes of footsteps reached her ears and she looked over to see Uo and Hana. She smiled at them and Uo smiled nervously at her. Hanna sighed and nodded her head with a small smile.
"How are you doing?" Uo nervously asked
"I'm fine," Tohru answered with a smile.
"If you need anything then let me know," Uo stated with a grin.
"Thanks, you guys are the best," Tohru softly said.
"I just want you to be safe," Uo assured with a soft smile.
"Yes, if anyone troubles you let us know," Hana calmly said.
"Of course," Tohru happily said.
Tohru gave them a true smile and they walked to class together. Hana and Uo walked at her sides and as the door slipped open, a figure ran out. Their eyes widened and before anything could happen Tohru jumped back. The boy landed on Uo and Hana with an awkward smile. Uo's face turned red before she punched the boy off her. Tohru helped her friends up and gave them a smile
"You've gotten faster," Uo commented.
"I've been training," Tohru assured as she waved her arm.
"Bunnies," Hana suddenly said.
"EH!" Tohru yelped.
Hana raised her arm and pointed to the stuffed bunny on Tohru's desk. Uo and Tohru looked over at her desk and Tohru squealed. She bounced into the classroom and picked up the stuffed rabbit off her desk. It was a blonde rabbit with red eyes and brown tips on the ears. Tohru noticed a piece of paper fall to the ground. She kneeled and picked it up from the ground. Tohru sat down while Uo and Hana peaked over her shoulder.
'I'm sorry I made you mad,' Tohru mentally read. 'Momiji.'
"Is it another secret admirer?" Uo teased with a grin.
"No it's just from Momiji," Tohru calmly said.
She smiled as she thought about the days she used to spend with him. A figure grabbed the rabbit out of her arms and she looked surprised. Kyou held the rabbit with a frown. Tohru tugged the rabbit out his arms and he grinned at her. He bopped her on the head and she giggled.
"You're in a better mood," Kyou commented.
"Of course…I don't act like an ox or tiger all the time," Tohru assured.
Kyou nodded his head in understanding and the arriving students gave her weird looks. Tohru sighed and squeezed the rabbit. Kyou raised an eyebrow at this.
"You like rabbits?" Kyou suddenly asked.
"Yeah…but I love cats," Tohru whispered as her face suddenly fell. She perked up and offered another smile.
"Why would you like cats? They're stupid animals," Yuki stated as he walked in. Kyou knew the reason; he knew that she fell in love with the cat. He wished he knew who that boy was. It would be nice to punch him for just forgetting about her.
"I like cat's because they have a personality," Tohru defended.
Yuki shrugged before he sat down at his desk. Tohru looked back to the stuffed rabbit and grinned. She decided that it was time to talk to Momiji again. Kyou bopped her on the head again and Tohru looked up at him. He offered a small smile and her heart skipped a beat.
"Everyone sit down!" The teacher yelled as he ran into the room.
Kyou glanced once last time at her before he took his seat. Her expression was a smile, but he could see that far away look in her eyes. He turned his attention back to the teacher and sighed. The weird guy seemed to have some idea. The guy was truly weird. He just showed up out of nowhere as there teacher for the class. Mr. Juni Shinshou had appeared at the school dressed in slacks and a messy white dress shirt. His short blue hair and fierce pink eyes showed that he was different. Kyou could only think that his eyes were fierce even though they were pink. It was a wonder that pink could be considered fierce. It was the never-ending darkness and intensity of the eyes that made them fierce.
"Class," Mr. Shinshou began, "this year our senior class will be doing a play."
The class groaned and Tohru raised her head up to listen. Her green orbs locked with his pink orbs and she tensed. A smirk made it ways to his face as she turned back to look at the class as a whole.
"This year we will be doing a play based on the Chinese Zodiac and the twelve protectors," Mr. Shinshou began.
'Twelve protectors,' Tohru thought with confusion.
"What are the protectors?" Tohru suddenly asked.
"The twelve protectors are the ones that guard each spirit in the zodiac, and we will do our play based on the thirteenth protector and thirteenth spirit of the zodiac," Mr. Shinshou announced.
"But there are only twelve zodiac animals." Yuki stated with a cold look.
"That is correct, but there was a thirteenth spirit. The spirit of the cat," Mr. Shinshou dramatically said.
"What about the cat?" Uo asked, she thought this was ridiculous.
"The play will be based upon the thirteenth protector and how he fell in love with a woman. Because he fell in love with a mortal he lost his position as a protector," Mr. Shinshou carefully explained as everyone listened. "The Rat protector convinced the other protectors that this was a crime. They then took the spirit of the protector, turned him mortal, and placed the spirit of the cat within his body so he could never forget his duty. They then placed his godly energy into the woman so she would die slowly as he watched."
"What about the other protectors?" A girl piped.
"They sent the spirits of their zodiac animals upon the woman's family, so they would all suffer," Mr. Shinshou answered as he grinned at the class.
"What happened to the woman?" Hana asked.
"The woman became ill and her body began to weaken because she could not support the godly energy. She eventually died very young," Shinshou said with a regrettable tone.
"What happened to the cat protector?" Kyou asked.
"The cat protector grew hateful, bitter, and ridden with grief at the death of his love. The human emotions he felt caused him to transform in a hideous monster. He vowed that he would never forgive the Rat for causing him this pain. His hate warped his body and caused a smell that smelt like rotting flesh," Shinshou finished.
Tohru stared down at her wrist and studied the black and white bracelet. She wondered if there was any truth to this tale. Tohru wrapped her hand around the bracelet and raised her head.
"What happened after that?" Tohru nervously asked.
"The cat vowed that he would find his love no matter what. Because he was human, he could now reincarnate with her. The curse was passed down in the woman's family and was said to have been removed," Shinshou answered as he studied her.
"Will the cat and his love ever meet?" Kyou asked, as he looked bored.
"No, sadly it is only a legend," Shinshou answered with a fake sob.
The class remained silent as they thought about this. Tohru played with the beads on her bracelet and repeated what he said in her mind. It sounded unbelievable, yet she could turn into the zodiac. Tohru looked up and wondered if he knew anything about the curse, or if he believed it was fact or fiction.
"When are auditions?" A girl shouted with a smile.
Mr. Shinshou's grin widened as he listened to their chatter and questions. His pink eyes landed on Tohru and his grin turned into a smirk. He raised his hand and silenced the class.
"I will leave scripts of each of the characters on the table by the window, the auditions will be held a week from now in the drama room an hour after school," Mr. Shinshou answered.
'I wonder if she still thinks about her cat,' Kyou wondered as he watched Tohru sit in silence.
He felt something sting him and wondered if he was jealous. Kyou scoffed at the idea. If started acting jealous over some guy that forgot hershe might think him insane. He wrinkled his nose as he scowled. His garnet orbs traveled over to Yuki and found him staring at Tohru. Something inside him twitched and he growled. Yuki turned his calm violet gaze to Kyou. Kyou glowered and Yuki sighed. His cousin was very strange.
The bell chimed and Tohru remained in her seat. After waiting a few moments, she stood up and walked outside the room. Singing rang through the hallway and she smiled as she watched the blonde hair bounce toward her. His brown eyes sparkled with life. Tohru saddened as she realized that Momiji was now a third year and almost an adult. He was taller then her by a head, yet the way he acted made him seem younger. His blonde hair still was kept short with the curls. He pushed it back as he ran toward her.
"Momiji," Tohru called out. His eyes sparkled even more now that she recognized him.
"Tohru…did you get my present?" Momiji questioned.
"It was wonderful, I didn't deserve it," Tohru sullenly said.
Momiji took her hands in his and gave her a stern look. Tohru's green eyes widened as she realized the little boy was all grown up. He smiled at her and tilted his head.
"You deserved it, I'm sorry that I pry into your business. I just get worried," Momiji admitted with a sad smile.
"I'm grateful that you care, but I am sorry for snapping at you. I take your kindness for granted," Tohru spoke as her eyes traveled up to his brown orbs.
"You seem troubled…I would be snippy to if I had an annoying guy constantly worrying about me too," Momiji joked as she laughed.
"Momiji…I'm glad I'm still your friend," Tohru whispered so he wouldn't hear it.
"Of course we're friends! I would never forget a dear friend like you," Momiji seriously said.
Tohru's eyes watered and she fell to her knees. Momiji's brown orbs widened as she began to sob. He quickly kneeled next to her and grasped her wrists as her palms covered her sobbing eyes.
"I'm sorry," Momiji whispered.
"Don't be…it's my fault!" Tohru sobbed.
"Tohru, you need to smile so how about I take you to the Sohma onsen," Momiji offered with a smile.
"Wha—"
"We'll leave this Saturday," Momiji stated with a smile.
"I…I can—"
"Then I'll meet at the school on Saturday and then we can go," Momiji declared as he stood up and left a shocked Tohru.
"What just happened?" Tohru mumbled to herself.
"You just got suckered to go to the family onsen," a calm voice stated.
Tohru glanced up at the boy who walked up beside her. Her eyes widened and she turned around to stand up. Tohru fell over backwards and her head connected with the wall. The boy winced as she muttered an 'ouch' and grabbed her head. The boy held his hand out to her and her swirling eyes focused on the gesture. After a few moments, he pulled his hand back and scratched his head.
"I should've known a normal girl wouldn't have wanted to touch a psycho," he mumbled.
"Eh?" Tohru mumbled as she stood up.
His black orbs connected with her green ones and he glanced away as if bored. Tohru raised an eyebrow at this action. The boy tended to act unemotional with his plain face and look of indifference. She could see the hurt in his eyes.
"I'm Honda Tohru," Tohru introduced as she held out her hand. His black eyes traced her hand to her face.
"Sohma Haru," he introduced as he took her hand. Tohru firmly shook his hand with a smile and giggled.
"I'm sorry I didn't take your hand, I was a bit out of it," Tohru explained as he watched her.
"No problem, you don't have to apologize," Haru assured.
"No, I am sorry because I seemed to have made you upset," Tohru firmly said.
"It's no big deal," Haru calmly assured.
"You said I got suckered," Tohru repeated as his face blanked. Tohru smiled and he sighed.
"Oh yeah, the onsen. I wouldn't go if I were you," Haru warned.
"Why not?" Tohru questioned, she knew the reason why.
"You'll be sure to meet up with Ritsu and his mother," Haru warned.
"That doesn't seem bad," Tohru said with a smile.
"Then don't say I didn't warn you," Haru sighed.
The bell chimed and Tohru's eyes widened in shock. She took off running down the hall in an attempt to reach her locker and get her books. Tohru grabbed the needed items and took off to science. Haru watched her and couldn't help but think something weird.
Tohru sighed and stuffed her books back into her locker. She had finished all her homework quit easily. This she knew as a sign that every answer was most likely wrong. Tohru walked passed her classroom and stopped at the door. She could see the table with the scripts on it by the window. Biting her lower lip, she walked inside the classroom and quickly traveled to the table. Her green orbs searched the table and studied the different names of the characters. A soft frown made its way to her face when she noticed a certain name.
"Sohma Yuriko," Tohru softly said as she picked up the script.
"You're the first one to pick up that script," Mr. Shinshou spoke as he walked into the room. Tohru turned around and carefully watched him.
"Really?" Tohru asked, she didn't know what else to say.
"Maybe that part is destined for you," Mr. Shinshou vaguely said.
"Do you mind if I take a script or two for my friends?" Tohru questioned.
"Go ahead, you each will get a role anyways," Mr. Shinshou calmly answered.
"Thanks," Tohru mumbled as she grabbed two more scripts.
"No thank you…you've always had a part," Mr. Shinshou softly said.
"Tohru," Kyou called as he walked by the door.
Tohru looked to Kyou with a sigh of relief before she ran from the room. She stepped out of sight and Kyou glared at the teacher before he walked away. Kyou noticed that Tohru held some paper in her hands. She remained silent as they walked out of the building.
"Thanks," Tohru sadly said.
"No problem, that guy pisses me off," Kyou admitted.
"Here," Tohru said as she handed him a script.
"What's this for?" Kyou asked as he looked at the title.
"It's for the play," Tohru answered with a smile.
"Why do I want this?" He questioned as he pushed it back into her hands.
"Please try out!" Tohru pleaded as she smiled at him.
Kyou gave her halfhearted glare before he took the script back. His garnet eyes scanned the cover and he raised an eyebrow.
"The thirteenth spirit, Kuvera," Kyou read as he noticed Tohru looking away. 'The spirit of the cat.'
"You want me to audition for the role of the outcast?" Kyou questioned with a huff.
"It seems like a good role," Tohru quietly said.
'She loved the cat…if I can be the cat…will she like me more?' Kyou wondered as his garnet eyes searched her.
"I'll think about it," Kyou said.
"Thank you…let's go give Yuki the other script I grabbed," Tohru happily said.
Kyou glanced at her and she quickly took his hand in hers and pulled him along the sidewalk. His pupils widened before the features on his face softened. He happily allowed Tohru to pull him along the sidewalk.
Author's Notes:
The legend that the teacher talked about is not real, but there are twelve protectors of the zodiac. They are called the twelve heavenly generals or guards.
cemetarydemon- Shigure always provides a good laugh...but he can be serious.