Chapter 3: Broken
Four Years earlier...
"Hurry up Kisho, we don't want to be late," called Masa, grabbing his school bag. Ryu leaned against the door frame, looking at his watch. Kisho was always the one to be late for everything, though he tried to be on time. Ryu blinked and saw a flash of silver hair rush pass him.
"Lets go!" cried Kisho as he ran out the door. Ryu pushed off from the wall and looked at Masa. Masa gave a laugh as he shrugged.
"Why does he have to leave faster than he gets ready?" asked Ryu as the two exited the house. Kisho looked back at the two, his chest heaving from running ahead of them.
"Come..... on... we're..... going... to be.... late," huffed the tired boy. Masa grinned.
"Take it easy tiger... or should I say snake? We won't be late, don't worry," Masa said, walking past Kisho. Ryu grabbed Kisho's arm and began to drag him after them.
The day was bright and sunny, not a cloud in the pure blue sky. The wind blew gently, shaking loose some of the cherry blossoms from the trees as the trio walked down the sidewalk. Ryu, Kisho and Masa were both second years in high school. They, as most of the zodiac children, went to an all boys school (or all girls if they were girls), thus they each held the spirit of an animal. Ryu was the dragon, and as all dragon's before him, was bound to be a doctor and hold the power of erasing a person's memory. When an infant, the members of the zodiac had to be extremely careful due to Ryu's undeveloped power. Also, like all the other dragons, was picked on because he changed into a seahorse than a real dragon. Masa holds the spirit of the dog and, like all the other dogs, are extremely loyal to their friends and of course, the master. He's sly and cunning so he always gets away with a lie at school. The snake resided in Kisho, who took winter to be a bad omen. Unlike the other snakes, Kisho refuses to walk to school and will never leave the house to enter a non running car. All three of them held the curse, but were happy that they were close in age so they could share the burden together.
The trio entered the classroom together, chatting about anything and everything. Masa threw his bag down and sat in his seat. Kisho sat on his desk while Ryu leaned against his own desk.
"You have to admit... pulling that was quite funny," said Kisho, laughing.
"I know, I know, I'm just a genius," said Masa, making a quick pose before getting slapped upside the head by Kisho. Masa shot Kisho a look but just laughed. Ryu sighed as he listened to the antics of his two best friends.
"Hey Masa, ready for me to beat you today in gym? My team is going to bring your team down in basketball today," shot off a classmate from behind. Masa turned around and rolled his eyes.
"I doubt that. Ryu is an excellent basketball player and so is myself. Kisho on the other hand..." Masa trailed off as he saw the death look upon Kisho's face. "Is the best on the team!" he finished, smiling. Kisho gave him a thumbs up. The class took their seats as the teacher entered to begin class.
Masa pulled on his gym shirt, his hand brushing through his black hair to straighten it out. Gym was his favorite time of the day for he could run off all his energy inside of him. He felt Kisho fall against the lockers, trying to pull on his shorts. Ryu shook his head. Ryu didn't understand why Kisho even dressed out, he never played longer than five minutes before he complained about being tired and wanting to pass out.
"Hurry up Kisho, we're always the last ones out and I hate having to run extra laps," said Ryu, grabbing the snake's arm and dragging him out of the locker room.
They made their way outside, the sun beating down upon them. Masa shielded his eyes, the sun hot and heavy.
"Lets get this game on!" said the student from earlier, bouncing the basketball steadily. Masa grinned and looked over at the student.
"Bring it on," he said.
The game raged on, Masa's team always a step ahead of the other. As Masa handled the ball he looked up to shoot but stopped. Across the road, at the all girls school, he noticed a female dive for a ball. Her long black hair, tied up in a ponytail, flew gracefully in the air. Masa couldn't stop looking at her, his eyes trailing over all of her body. He felt the ball slip from his hands and the other team scored. Ryu walked over to him and smacked him on the arm.
"What is with you Masa? You could have put us ten points ahead.. now we're just eight!" Ryu said, annoyance all in his voice. Ryu followed Masa's stare and sighed. "It's Hitomi again... isn't it?" he asked. Masa nodded. Hitomi was the first year high school student at the all girls school across the road. Masa had his first experience meeting her earlier that year."Are you alright miss?" asked Masa, kneeling next to the crying girl.
"I tripped... and and..." she said softly. Her chocolate eyes looked up as Masa handed her her books. "Thank you..." she whispered softly, taking the books into her arms. Masa smiled, his eyes enlocked with hers. He stood up, his hand held down to her.
"I'm Masa Sohma... and you are?" he asked, as he helped her up.
"I'm Hitomi... Hitomi Son." she replied, a small smile on her face as she brushed the tears from her eyes. Masa returned the smile, his heart beating fast. This girl was truly enchanting.
"Ryu..." said Masa, looking up at his friend. "I'm going to ask Hitomi out today... after school." he said. Ryu looked at him, his eyes wide.
"Are you stupid? You aren't do that... you know you can't show her the physical affection that a women needs..." Ryu explained. Masa looked away from his friend.
"I don't care... I love her... I have to admit it to her..." Ryu sighed as he watched his friend walk back into the school building. Kisho walked over to Ryu and stood next to him.
"What was wrong with him?" he asked.
"Masa is going to admit his feelings to Hitomi today after school," explained Ryu, walking toward the building. Kisho ran after him.
"What do you mean? Is he crazy? He can't..." said Kisho. A sad expression passed over Kisho's eyes. He knew that Masa wasn't going to feel the same that afternoon, he just knew it.
Masa straightened his tie as he waited outside of the school. He told Ryu and Kisho to go ahead without him. He heard the school bell ring and watched as girls flocked out of the school, chatting happily with each other. Many eyed the young man, giggling at him and winking at him. Masa smiled at them but soon spotted his pray. Hitomi walked down the stairs, her long black hair still in a ponytail, tied with a pink bow.
"Hitomi!" called Masa, waving his hand in the air. Hitomi stopped talking to her friend and looked over at him.
"Masa?" she said, surprised to see him. They had went on little 'dates' you could call them, but he had never waited for her like this and he hadn't talked to her for a good month. "Excuse me, I'll see you guys later," she said, and jogged over to Masa. "Hey Masa! Long time no talk, whats up?" she asked, a smile upon her face.
"Nothing, wanna go for a walk?" he asked, a smile upon his face as well.
"Sure thing," she replied and followed Masa as they walked away from school. Ryu and Kisho stood far off, watching the couple walk off.
"Come on," said Kisho, getting up and following the two. Ryu sighed. Why the hell am I doing this? He thought and followed Kisho.
The two walked down the sidewalk, passing the park. Masa stopped, and turned to Hitomi.
"This seems like a good place," he said softly. "There is something I need to tell you Hitomi," he said. Hitomi looked up at him.
"Is this why you wanted to go on a walk? What do you have to tell me?" she asked, her chocolate eyes staring into his gray ones. Masa reached for her hand and held it in his.
"Hitomi... I've liked you since I met you... sometimes I feel that I love you... will you... give me the honor and go out with me?" he asked, staring down at her. Hitomi's eyes went wide, then soften a bit.
"Masa..." she said softly, "I did like you too... but.. you didn't talk to me in the longest time and I just... moved on. I have a boyfriend now..." she said, squeezing his hand. "I'm sorry," Masa's eyes slowly soften, and he looked down.
"Oh..." He felt tears begin to threaten his eyes and felt one escape. He felt a slim finger wipe it away.
"I hope we can still be friends." she said. Friends... He felt his heart sink low in his chest.
"I'd like that," he replied softly. She smiled. He felt her hand slip from his and his head shot up as he watched her walk away from him. He stood there until he could barely see her hair sway. His eyes teared up and he couldn't move.
Kisho and Ryu came out of hiding and walked over to their friend. Ryu slipped an arm around Masa's shoulders, bringing him out of his trance. His frightened eyes looked up at Ryu's.
"She..." he said but he looked away before he could finish. Ryu hugged Masa to his body, holding him tightly. He felt him tremble in his embrace but Ryu didn't let him go. His eyes, too, were filled with tears. He could feel the pain that Masa was feeling... he knew the pain. He felt a sob in his throat and let it out, feeling Masa's body shake more. Kisho watched, his eyes too filled with tears. He ran to the group and hugged them as well.
"Its okay... its okay Masa..." cried Ryu, his cheek resting on the dog's head. Masa sobbed softly into Ryu's chest. He wished it didn't have to be that way... but he knew that the children of the curse were to live unhappily... to feel unloved for such a long time... he knew it... and Ryu and Kisho knew it as well. As long as they were there he'd have his strength to continue living... to enjoy his life even if it was a cursed one...
Authors Notes: I'm soooo sorry this took me so long to get out and its so short... I had to give you an introduction to these characters or you'd be like 'who the hell are they?' Please forgive this semi boring chapter.. the next chapter should be a lot more interesting and will be so fun to write for me... :) Please Review! Thanks people :) I love you all for reading
