Fruits Basket
Beginnings and Endings
((Author Note: Sorry for the delay. I had a tiny emergency with one of my animals and it took my attention for a bit so I get a bit pushed back. I made it up with a long chapter. I also made the mistake of sending the wrong chapter in for beta, which is why this took a little longer to put up. I'm going to do replies to reviews every other chapter so I'll reply to your comments next time. This chapter was an interesting challenge too. I'm not going to hide the fact that I actually was going to kill someone off for a short time but I decided against it. It wasn't Kyo, just so you know. Instead I decided to put my idea for the zodiac curse out there. You thought the first one I told you was correct? Haha…no. The idea actually came when I was watching a show explaining how stories, folk tales and such are sometimes based on true events but are twisted around. So that's why happens. Since Kyo found the truth in his book, maybe that was just the sugar coated truth. I told the zodiac side of the curse in the end, keep that in mind since the cat will explain his view in the next chapter. Anyways enjoy and please don't kill me later.))
Chapter 40
The darkening skies hung heavy in the air. Their very bodies stretched across the sky, engulfing everything in their path. Not a hint of blue could break the shadows; not even the sun's warm light could shine through the thick void, as the world continued to turn through space and time. This was the sign he was waiting for.
"Its very shadow consumes itself to bring new life…his very body was taken from the ravages of time and the laws of mortality, and yet his spirit and mind endured."
Kyo could hear the air whisper to him as he felt his eyes slowly open. His head rested against the moist dirt while his hands rested lifeless at his side. What remained of his clothes was soaked, leaving his body chilled to the bone. Kyo felt like his head had been struck one too many times by Yuki. He couldn't recall what had happened; he only remembered that his hand had begun to transform, before his mind had gone completely blank. He tried to lift his hand to rub his head, but it didn't respond.
"So you're awake?" Kyo's mouth moved to voice words that weren't his own, but someone else's. "Confused?"
"You're damned right I'm confused. What the hell are you, and why can't I move!" Kyo yelled in his own subconscious mind as he heard a deep laugh echo to his question.
"A fool to the end, and dense. Even after the book that was given to you and the warnings that were spoken from the past, you are still afraid of your own shadow. I see deep inside your mind, Kyo. You're afraid. Afraid of many things, and such fears give me strength…give me power."
Kyo ignored the voices taunt, "What sort of freak are you? Why don't you just get the hell out of me?"
Kyo's body slowly got up as a small grin spread across his face, "Oh, I plan on doing just that. Don't worry. You can have this body back soon enough." His hand pressed against one of the trees as he steadied himself. His orange hair hung over his eyes as a menacing glow resonated from them, "Soon the true cat will be reborn."
Tohru felt something deep in her mind suddenly grow cold, as if something was trying to warn her of coming dangers. Her hands faltered as she tried to set her teacup down, but her startled hands couldn't keep their grip on the fragile teacup. The small porcelain cup crumbled into pieces as its fragile form smashed against the ground. In her horror she quickly got down on the ground and began to gather up the broken pieces.
"Oh no! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to drop it. I'll clean this up right away, and I promise I'll pay for it," she said. Haru briefly watched her frantically pick up the broken pieces before he leaned over to stop her. He caught her by the wrist gently as he directed her to sit back down.
"Kyo breaks Master's cups all the time…he has extras," Haru reassured her as he began to pick the pieces up himself. "Master also said you should rest."
Tohru was about to open her mouth again to point out that Kazuma had also told Haru to take it easy, but she saw deep within Haru's eyes that he wanted to do something to keep his mind busy. She noticed he had seemed preoccupied about something lately, but she wasn't sure what it was. Perhaps it was Rin, but she wasn't sure if the two knew each other, and didn't think it right to assume things.
"Uh, Haru…" Tohru began, to get his attention. He lifted his head up slightly when he heard her voice. His clear eyes stared at her with full attention. "I wanted to thank you for saving me and…."
"I didn't save you," Haru suddenly interrupted with the broken teacup resting carefully in his hands. "I carried you here."
"But if you didn't we could have-"
"Kyo wouldn't hurt you," Haru said as he dropped the pieces in the trash can. His voice was confident which made Tohru feel better, knowing that Haru believed that Kyo was still good, deep down. She herself knew he would never harm her intentionally, but at that moment she truly was scared for her life. "None of us would hurt you…" Haru said with a faint smile on his face as he turned his head towards her, but his smile suddenly faded when the sliding doors were abruptly thrown open to reveal a pale looking young girl. She seemed like she was maybe a few years older than Tohru, but her body was skinny and fragile. Her long, flowing black hair grew all the way down to her lower back. Its length amazed Tohru, but the girl didn't seem all that happy as her dark eyes snapped towards Tohru.
"None of us will hurt her? The stupid cat tried to kill her! You underestimate the curse, Haru."
Haru was silent for a moment before he responded. He seemed like he was trying to find the right words to say. His chest heaved for air as he struggled to keep from crumbling from a web of emotions that seemed to have entangled him. "At least I don't let the curse rule me. I can live happily as I am and accept it."
"That's why you're an idiot…" Her head suddenly snapped towards Tohru, "and you! You should have never gotten into Sohma business. We don't need outsiders meddling in our affairs."
"I…I never meant to," Tohru began to stammer. She truly felt like an outsider at that moment.
Haru raised himself up in front of Tohru, "She doesn't meddle. Tohru makes Yuki and Kyo smile."
"I don't care if she could break the curse! This is a Sohma problem, and Sohmas should fix their own problems," she yelled before she stormed out, slamming the sliding doors behind her.
Haru remained motionless as he stood before Tohru in silence. She wasn't sure what she had done, but perhaps she was beginning to get into their business too much. She never meant to; she only wanted to be a part of a real family. "I'm sorry if I caused any problems…." Tohru said, but she saw Haru shake his head.
"No, she's not angry with you…she's angry with me," Haru said as he slowly turned towards her with a serious expression on his face. "Her words were directed towards me. She only vented on you."
"But she said…" Tohru began again but Haru raised his hand to stop her as he walked over to sit back down.
"Don't worry," he said in a soft voice. "Ever since I've known her, she's always been like that. Like a horse, her spirit runs wild through the winds. Locking it up only makes it suffer…it's selfish of me to think I could do that." Haru lowered his head as a few tears rolled down his face, and he struggled with something in his own past. Tohru watched him with a painful heart as she listened to his words. Each time he spoke, she began to realize how little she really knew about the Sohmas. Haru gently brushed away a few tears as he continued. "Did you know that some horses would die for the people they care for?" Tohru shook her head while Haru brought a hand up to his eyes to hide the pain-filled expression on his face. "They will do anything to make that person happy…even if that person doesn't want them to do it. They are willing to lose everything, just for that person, even if it makes them feel like this."
"She really cares for you," Tohru said as she tried her best to smile. "Knowing that should make you feel warm inside. She will see how much Haru cares for her, and want to stay…Rin will see that her sharing her life with you is what makes you smile, not her sacrificing her life for you."
Haru listened to her words carefully as he considered them. She offered him warmth with her kind words, a feeling he thought he would never be able to feel again. He nodded his head in agreement with her finally as he pushed aside his frustration, "Thank you."
Kazuma sat in his study pouring over a collection of books and journals. He ran a hand through his long bangs as he let out a defeated sigh, "Just as I thought, nothing…but there has to be something. With what Rin claims she saw…then everything…." Kazuma trailed off in his sentence as he flipped through the pages of the book he had in his hand a little bit more, before he heard someone knocking on his door. He casually got to his feet to answer, since he had sent most of his assistants home for the day. He opened the door slowly to see a very wet Shigure and Yuki standing on his doorstep.
"Ah, just the man we were hoping to see," Shigure said with his usual grin; however, Yuki didn't seem all that pleased.
"Pardon our intrusions, Master, but we're in a bit of a situation-" Yuki was suddenly cut off when Shigure fell right into his arms.
"Yuki! Don't waste your fatigued mind explaining. We can barely walk another step, Kazuma…."
Kazuma laughed lightly as he shook his head, "You're both welcome to stay here. In fact, Miss Honda is making us a lovely dinner. I have never had this house smell so delightful."
"Food?" Shigure said in a surprise voice as he could hardly hide his happy expression, at least until Yuki dropped him against the ground.
"Miss Honda!" Yuki said as he left Shigure on the ground to go see Tohru inside. He politely slipped by Kazuma while he kicked his shoes off in a hurry.
"These youngsters! Is this how you treat a poor, recently homeless novelist?" Shigure cried out in horror until his eyes rested on Kazuma's book. His face grew suddenly grimmer as he slowly collected himself. "You're searching for answers?" Shigure's voice was abruptly serious as he spoke carefully, choosing his words wisely.
Kazuma glanced down to his book before his eyes quickly turned to Shigure, "You know something. Don't you?"
Shigure tapped his head, "Deep within this mind of mine. We should go enjoy Tohru's delicious meal first, however..."
"Miss Honda, are you okay!" Yuki exclaimed as he threw open the doors to see Tohru in the kitchen cooking with Haru. There was a long pause as the three stared at each other.
"Oh, Yuki. You're okay!" Tohru said with a smile of relief. She was worried about everyone's safety, not just Kyo's. "Is Shigure okay, and Uo and Hana?"
Yuki had been worrying to death this entire time, and here she was, cooking one of her delicious meals as if everything was normal. "Uh…yes, yes. Everyone is okay. That stupid dog is here too. You're friends are safely home."
"I'm glad everyone is okay," Tohru said as she held her wooden spoon firmly in her hand. "I hope I didn't cause too many problems with them."
"No…of course not," Yuki said while Haru continued to stare at him. "What is it, Haru?"
"Yuki, you're wet. It must be raining in here, mystery." Haru pointed at Yuki's wet hair and then the ceiling.
Yuki grumbled to himself, since he wasn't in the mood for Haru's odd behavior. Tohru laughed lightly to the comment as she brought Yuki a towel, so he could dry off.
Yuki ignored Haru's staring while he took Tohru's towel to dry himself off, "What about you, Miss Honda? Are you all right? Did you hurt yourself?"
Tohru waved her hands, "Oh no, no, I'm fine. Rin protected me, and then Haru brought me here. We're all in fit shape." Tohru flexed her muscles while Haru mimicked her in the background.
Yuki let a breath of relief escape his lips as he slid down to the kitchen floor, "That's a relief…that stupid cat, what was he thinking!"
"He's not well," Haru said, stating the obvious as he glanced towards Tohru. "He'll get better. Dinner first."
"He didn't mean it," Tohru said with confidence as she offered Yuki a cup of tea to warm him up. "Kyo…cares for us all, even you, Yuki."
Yuki hoped Tohru was right. He didn't want anything to happen to her. Even if her heart belonged to that stupid cat; he would always care for her. He took the cup carefully in his hands, "I hope you're right, Miss Honda."
"I see our relieved prince has made sure our precious flower is safe and sound," Shigure said as he stepped into the kitchen.
"Shigure!" Tohru said happily while Yuki silently rolled his eyes.
After dinner the group went to their rooms to rest for the night. Tohru had a room to herself, while Yuki and Haru shared a room. It had been an eventful day, but Tohru only wished to know if Kyo was safe somewhere.
We have everlasting time but…I fear for your own.
"I'm so full, I think I'm going to be sick," Shigure said as he settled down in Kazuma's study.
"She is a girl of great talents," Kazuma said in a soft voice as his gaze stared up to the dark night sky. "Kyo is lucky to have someone such as her."
"Alas, if I was only born a few years earlier."
"Shigure…tell me. Do you know something about what is happening to Kyo?" Kazuma asked in an almost pleading voice. It only displayed just how desperate he had become. He feared for Kyo's safety and well being.
Shigure ran a hand through his hair as he stared down at the books on Kazuma's desk, "Writers…we dream our stories. We experience them in our minds as if they were real," Shigure paused briefly as he took in a deep breath "Stories…tales are spawned from the truth. They are twisted to suit the writer's vision, and softened from the stories' true content…to hide the twisted horror of what truly happened."
"Then the book given to Kyo, in hopes to open the truth to him, only further blinded him to it." Kazuma shook his head. "I fell right into such a trick."
"As did I, until I came across the real story…every light has a shadow."
While Tohru rested quietly in her room, her mind was unable to find such peace. She had so many questions she wanted answers to.
You wish to know the truth? The calming voice she had heard before said to her, as her hand tightened around Kyo's beads.
"I do."
...Then I will tell you. Listen well, and with an open mind.
"Why the hell are you going to Akito's house? Going to kill him? Because if you are, I don't plan on stopping you," Kyo said to the being that had taken control of his body.
"Akito? No, that is your own desire, not my own. I seek what he has hidden deep within these twisted walls. Shadows of shadows lurk here. Deep within the cat's house is where existence defies itself. Light has died, and yet the shadow lives."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"You've heard the zodiac story, and even heard the book's story that was spoon fed to you, but listen well to the truth:
"A long time ago, the Emperor ruled over the lands with a caring and giving heart. His Empire flourished, and the people grew to enjoy the golden age he brought. The people wished for it to never end…but soon the Emperor came to desire the same wish. Time would take the throne away from him, and with a new ruler, the Emperor could not allow the Empire he had worked so hard to build come to ruins.
"He asked the people to help him search for a way to harness time itself, but the people would not heed his call - for such a thing would defy the laws of mortals. The gods would punish such an act. The Emperor, however, did not see the people's fears. His intentions were good, he only wished for his Empire to continue to flourish. Instead, he turned his plea to the heavens.
The Emperor pleaded for days, until he thought all hope was lost. As the Emperor was about to give up his prayer for immortality, a cat spirit answered his plea. He would help the Emperor if he could find 12 other spirits, so the Emperor continued to call to the heavens until the rat spirit answered. The Emperor continued to call the heavens until a year later the ox spirit answered. Every year, another spirit answered the Emperor's call, until the 12 spirits were formed. They granted the Emperor's wish and stopped time for him, but at a heavy price. The Gods sensed their defiance and punished the Emperor and spirits. The 12 spirits would forever walk with mortal men, but they were never to embrace a mortal of the opposite sex - to do so would reveal their past forms. Their spirits would never be able to return to the heavens, but instead, would be reincarnated into men over the ages and until the end of time.
"The cat that promised a mortal such a defiant power was punished the same, but would be born a mortal instead of becoming one. Mind was torn from body, but in the process two minds were born…light and shadow separated. The Emperor had immortality, but his fate was tied with the spirits. The Emperor who forever will be reborn throughout time would only die at the age he had stopped time. The Emperor's spirit was condemned to live only to die again at the time set by the Gods, and no longer…."
