Rooster, Isamu: 33; Dragon, Ryu: 32; Dog, Masa: 32; Snake, Kisho: 32; Monkey, Keiji: 27; Horse, Seiko: 25; God, Haruko: 20; Boar, Takai: 17; Cat, Natsu: 16; Rat, Miki: 16; Cow, Tani: 15; Bunny, Akina: 15; Sheep, Satu: 9; Tiger, Kiyoshi: 9
Chapter 12: Eye Of A Child
The sun shone down upon the small house in the woods. The trees glistened with leaves and the ground was covered in grass and flowers. The birds chirped softly and all was peaceful. Upon the roof laid a young man with a head full of orange hair. Natsu laid there, his gaze upon a passing cloud. A week... he had been in the house for a week... and it was not a pleasant week at that. His first day was the worse of all...
"Welcome Natsu," greeted Masa, smiling at the cat who stood perfectly still. His gaze was locked upon the purple eyes of Miki. She glared back.
"Stupid cat," she cursed. Natsu gripped his hands at his side, them slowly curling into fists.
"... Damn rat," he growled. Miki eyes shot daggers at the angry cat. Masa coughed softly.
"Dinner should be ready, I bet you are starving Natsu. Now, if we all could go into the kitchen..."
"I'm not hungry," spat Natsu, brushing pass the two. Miki grabbed Natsu's wrist, his head shooting back.
"If you dare go in my room I'll break you," she said. Natsu yanked his hand away from her grip and walked inside the house. Masa blinked as Miki followed.
"This is going to be a great time..."
Natsu sighed as he heard a car pull up, knocking him out of his day dream. He sat up and looked over the edge of the house. There was a blue car, parked with four people stepping out. He could barely make them out, for they were parked some ways away. He could hear soft mumbles of voices from the people stepping out of the car. Natsu rolled his eyes as he saw Miki come and greet the four people.
"Hello Ryu, Seiko," she greeted, bowing a bit before them. It has been a long time since she had spoken with them. She glanced at Seiko and smiled a bit. Seiko gave her a nod and she became upright again. Miki noticed the children, hiding behind Seiko and Ryu. One had a head of ginger colored hair and striking brown eyes. His distant eyes made her aware that he was Kiyoshi.
"Kiyoshi!" she cried, hugging the shy boy who was behind Seiko's body. Kiyoshi was a little tense, but he soon settled down. He closed his eyes as she hugged him. "It has been so long... you're growing up so fast," she said, smiling at him. Kiyoshi returned the smile shyly, a little embarrassed about the situation. Miki let go of him and noticed the other boy, his off white hair all in curls.
"Satu." she said. She knew Satu had the temper of the two and she smiled. She got up and walked towards him.
"Don't you dare," said the nine year old, looking up at her. His dark eyes glared at her. Miki frowned, but smiled.
"You haven't changed a bit," Miki commented.
"Are you sure they won't be any trouble?" asked Seiko, worried a little that Miki wouldn't be able to handle it herself. Miki smiled.
"Don't worry, I have Masa to help me, they won't be to much," she explained, her hand upon Kiyoshi's head.
"Here is their stuff, we'll pick them up in the morning." said Ryu, setting down a suitcase. Miki nodded as the two adults packed themselves back into the car. Miki waved as the drove off. Miki turned to the two children and smiled.
"Alright, I think I'll show you to your room," she said, picking up the suitcase.
Natsu watched as Miki lead the two kids into the house. He laid back upon the roof, looking up at the clear blue sky. He huffed, his eyes closed. Those stupid kids... why must we watch them... He though. He rolled over onto his side and stared at the roof. As long as they didn't bother him, he'd be fine... so he prayed that they would leave him alone... He hoped.
Kiyoshi and Satu looked around the house, Miki following them.
"This is the kitchen and this is the dining area. If you get bored we have a television that you can watch.. The bathroom is down this hallway and there is another one upstairs. If you have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, please flush because it smells a lot if you don't," explained Miki. Satu made a face. He hated new places... he really did.
"Now I'll show you your room, follow me," she said, walking up the stairs. Satu followed closely, Kiyoshi walking behind him.
Miki walked down the hallway, stopping at Natsu's door. She turned the doorknob and threw it open. She walked into the room where two cots were set out for the two of them. Satu walked in and held his nose. Kiyoshi followed, looking around. Miki looked down at him.
"Whats wrong Satu?" she asked.
"It smells like cat and its disgusting. I hate cats," he said. Miki just looked at him, a bit shocked by his answer and she looked at Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi just stared back.
Dinner rolled around, and Masa, Miki, Satu and Kiyoshi sat around the table, quietly eating. Satu took a bite out of the soup and his face turned sour.
"What is this?" he asked, almost dropping his spoon. Miki looked at him questionably.
"Its Leek soup Satu, eat up," explained Masa, eating some of the soup, his eyes reading the daily paper. Satu's face almost turned green.
"Leek... I hate leek. Are you stupid? Why would anyone want to eat leek soup?" asked Satu, slamming the spoon on the table.
"I like leek soup," said Kiyoshi, taking a sip of the broth from the soup. Miki smiled at Kiyoshi, glad that one of the children had manners. Miki began to wonder what they had been teaching them over at the Main House... she never acted that way.. never in a million years.
"Where is Natsu?" spoke Kiyoshi, his voice soft and gentle. Miki looked at Kiyoshi and frowned.
"He won't be down. Natsu has a thing about starving around dinner time and I don't understand his logic," she said. Kiyoshi nodded, sipping her soup more.
"He's a stupid cat.. all cats are stupid. He'll be locked up soon, so it doesn't matter," Satu spat, getting up from the table.
"Satu.." said Kiyoshi, getting up and following. Miki just sat there, staring after the sheep. Why must he be so stubborn and mean? Weren't sheep suppose to be playful and dumb?
Seven rolled around and the door slid open.
"Miki?" called a female voice. "Is this your house?" Miki looked up from her book and got up from the table. Satu and Kiyoshi looked up from the other room, toys in their hand. Miki ran to the door and smiled as she saw Udo and Ran looking around, looking like little lost puppy dogs.
"Ran!" said Miki, hugging her friend. Ran smiled, returning the hug. "I'm glad you found the house! I was afraid you wouldn't find it with my directions. I sometimes forget how to get here," she said, smiling. Ran laughed.
"I helped find the house, she kept going to wrong way." said Udo, a smile upon his face. Miki glanced at Ran and the two laughed. He was such a liar.
"Come in, come in. Leave your shoes at the door and follow me. Natsu is well.." began Miki, walking towards the staircase.
"On the roof, I saw," said Ran. "Who are these kids?" she asked, seeing Satu and Kiyoshi staring at them. Miki stopped. She completely forgot about the children!
"Umm... these are my cousins. The ginger colored one is Kiyoshi and the curly haired one is Satu. Kiyoshi, Satu, this is Ran and her brother Udo." explained Miki.
"It is nice to meet you," said Kiyoshi, holding his small hand out for Ran to shake. Ran smiled, about to grab his hand, but Satu pulled his hand away.
"Don't talk to strangers Kiyoshi, if they don't have the name Sohma, they aren't worth your time," Satu said, glaring at Ran. Ran stared back, an empty look upon her face.
"Well.. what a little sour puss you are Sohma Satu," Ran said, a disgusting look upon her face. She nodded at Kiyoshi. "It was nice meeting you dear,"
"We need to hurry, we don't have much time now because it took you a while to find the house," explained Miki, walking up the stairs. Ran and Udo followed, Ran glancing back at the two children. Her eyes locked with Satu and she looked away.
Miki walked to her room, opening the door and sitting down upon her bed. She opened up the window and leaned out of it.
"Natsu! Get your butt in here, we're starting," she called. She turned to her guests and smiled. "Please, sit down." she said. Ran sat on the floor while Udo sat on the desk. Miki sat in front of Ran and looked at Udo and Ran.
"So, do we have an idea for our visual aid?" asked Miki. Ran nodded, sliding off her backpack and opening up the front zipper. Natsu crawled through the window and sat upon Miki's bed.
"Nice for you to join us," said Miki, not looking at him.
"Shut up," he hissed, turning his back to her. Miki rolled her eyes.
"I was thinking that, for a visual aid, we make a mobile and have all the different zodiac animals on there. We find out which zodiac the people are in our class.. which they all should either be one or another. Then, we'll get the zodiac sign of the teacher and the other grades of the school. We will explain what each animal means," explained Ran.
"Yeah, I've already started on the drawings of the zodiac animals." explained Udo, playing with a pencil.
"What if... we play out the old folk tale about how the cat isn't part of the zodiac." said Miki, smiling. Natsu twitched a bit, hearing the thing he hated to hear.
"Thats a great idea! We can make little puppets or.. like.. cat ears and mouse ears! We can have a god, a cat, a rat and a cow!" exclaimed Udo. "And... me being the stud I am, I will be the God!" Udo held out his arms in a 'manly' pose and smiled.
"Sure... I'll be the rat, Natsu can be the cat and Ran you can be the Cow." said Miki, smiling. Ran nodded.
"Sounds cool to me... How is the paper coming along?" asked Ran, writing down the ideas in her notebook.
"Its coming along really well, it will be finished by the time we go, it will be done way before that actually." explained Miki. Ran nodded, checking off something in her notebook.
"Alright... now.. we should probably start on the explanation of the zodiac animals..." said Ran, pulling out a three-ring binder that was marked Zodiac Animals. Ran opened it and before she could pull out a file, a voice called out
"MIKI!" Miki groaned, getting up. She felt like a daughter going to her mean father.
"I'll be right back," said Miki, walking out of the room and going down the stairs. "What is it?" called Miki, walking into the kitchen.
"Can you look after the children? I'm going to bed and I don't want them to be unattended," explained Masa, drinking a glass of milk and setting the glass in the sink.
"Yeah, I can do that," she said, walking over to the other room. "Okay kids, you are going to have to be with me until my guests leave. So lets go to my room," said Miki, grabbing Kiyoshi's hand.
"No, I refuse to do that," said Satu. Miki looked at him.
"What? Why?" she asked.
"Are you stupid? There is a female up there. I know what happens when their chest touches us, I'm not stupid," said Satu, glaring up at Miki.
"Why would you be touching Ran's chest anyway? She's taller than you and she won't hug you." explained Miki.
"I refuse. If they don't leave, I am going to leave and Haruko won't be happy with you," said Satu, glaring at Miki. Miki gave out a little sign, dropping Kiyoshi's hand.
"Fine, I'll ask them to leave. I'm just looking out for you, thats all. If you would get lost, Haruko would have my head..." she said. She jogged up the stairs and walked into her room.
"Masa says that its time for the kids to go to bed so you guys have to go home. We'll continue this on Monday at school," said Miki. Ran blinked.
"Oh. Okay, thats fine. Come on Udo, lets go," said Ran, putting her notebook into her bookbag and zipping it up.
"I'll see you out. Natsu, are you coming?" asked Miki. Natsu glared at her, and said nothing. Miki shrugged and followed her guests out the door.
"We'll see you on Monday Miki! Bye!" shouted Ran, waving to her friend. Miki waved as she watched the twins walk down the road. Miki smiled and turned to go inside. She walked and noticed Satu and Kiyoshi putting up their toys, and heading upstairs. Miki smiled. Bedtime... Miki waited until she heard the door close and she walked upstairs. She opened her door and walked in.
"Alright Natsu, you can get out now," she said. She stopped. A small smile creeped onto her face unknowingly. There, on her bed, was a sleeping feline. Natsu was sprawled out onto her bed. She walked over to him and looked down at him. He looked so peaceful..
"GET UP YOU STUPID CAT. THIS IS MY ROOM!" shouted Miki. Natsu shot up from his sleep. He looked around then looked at Miki.
"What the hell did you do that for you damn rat!" he shouted.
"This is my room, get off my bed and sleep on the dang roof," she spat, glaring at him. Natsu glared at her and got up. He walked to the window and crawled out of it, cursing loudly. Miki slammed her window shut and closed the curtains. The last thing she needed was Natsu peeping in on her while she changed.
"Wow!" exclaimed Kiyoshi, his eyes wide as he looked at all the play equipment around. He jumped up and down and raced towards one of the slides. The park... always take a kid to the park when you need to keep them occupied between lunch and dinner. Satu watched as Kiyoshi ran towards the slides. Satu looked up at Miki, a smug look upon his face.
"You've actually done something useful," he said, and ran towards the slide. "Hey, Kiyoshi, wait up!" he shouted.
Miki smiled and sat upon a bench and watched the two children play. She felt the spot next to her be filled, and she scooted over as far as she could to the edge of the bench. Natsu watched the kids play, a smile on the inside but no emotion on the outside. He felt Miki scoot away from him, and that was fine. He only sat there because he didnt feel like sitting in a tree. Miki watched as Satu pushed Kiyoshi on the swing and remembered back to when she was a little girl...
"Come on Miki, you are almost there," shouted a six year old. It was spring time, and the land was in full bloom. Miki was half way up a tree, Takai up higher. He laughed as he looked down at her.
"I don;t know if I can do it Kai," she said, her feet on a branch and her arms around the trunk.
"Oh, come on, ts not that far away, you're almost there!" he shouted. His hand stretched out for her to grab it. Miki smiled. She could do it, he believed in her. She giggled as she reached out her hand, her body stretching up. Closed... and closer their hands got and her fingers brushed the tip of his fingers. Crink... Crink... Crink... Miki looked up at Takai's smiling face and watched it turn into a shocked look. She felt herself begin to fall, her body falling away from the tree. Her eyes went wide as she hit branch after branch. A shrill scream filled her hearing and a loud thud soon followed. Her world began to go dark, a figure climbing down the tree and someone was standing over her. She heard faintly "Miki?"
Miki stirred and gently opened her eyes. The room was dark. She could sense it was a closed room.. most likely Ryu's office. She had been there before, she was sick a couple months ago. She sat up, and looked around. There was Takai, sleeping in a chair next to her. She looked to the other side and her eyes met with deep brown ones. She gasped and a hand was on her shoulder.
"Its okay Miki, its just me, Seiko." said the gentle voice. Miki calmed down a little.
"What happened?" she asked.
"You fell from the tree. I heard Takai scream and I ran over to the tree and there you were. You're in Ryu's office. He said you'll be fine, it was just a bump on the head. He said you were lucky that you didn't break anything. I guess they are right, the rat is a very special zodiac indeed," explained Seiko. "Now, lay down and rest. Takai has been here the entire time. He was scared that you weren't going to be fine. He feels that it is his fault," explained Seiko. "Now... rest," he said. Miki lay back onto the bed and curled up. She gently closed her eyes and fell asleep.
"Miki, look!" shouted Kiyoshi. He jumped from the swing onto the ground. Miki blinked, missing what he did.
"That was awesome Kiyoshi!" she cried, not knowing what he did. She smiled. She missed being a kid. Natsu watched the two play, and he smiled faintly... he never really had a happy childhood.. but he did have some memories...
Natsu sat alone at lunch, looking down at the table. He didn't have anything to eat... nothing. He felt alone, seeing everyone else eating their lunch. A girl sat next to him, her purple eyes staring at him. He felt a little creped out. Why... why was she looking at him? She smiled, and handed out half of her sandwich.
"Hungry?" she asked. He looked at her and then at the sandwich. He grabbed it shakely and nibbled on it. The gray haired girl smiled. "Good," she said. She got up and skipped away. He watched as she walked away, his mouth on the sandwich. Why had she done that?
Recess rolled around and Natsu watched the other kids play. He had no one to play with. His eyes scanned the playground and he noticed the gray haired girl from earlier, sitting by herself on the swing, swinging herself weakly. He smiled. He walked behind her and put his hands upon her back and pushed her. She turned around, surprised, and looked at him blankly.
"What are you doing?" she asked. He smiled, pushing her again.
"I'm pushing you," he said, "You weren't getting to far by yourself so I decided to help." he said. He noticed that she gave him a smile.
"Thank you.."
Thank you... Natsu shook his head... Why must he always remember that. He looked at the sky, noticing that it was dusk, the sun was going down and everything was being basked in oranges and pinks. He looked to his side and was startled. There sat Miki, engulfed in the warm, orange light. He just looked at her. Why.. why.. He turned away, his eyes looking up at the sky. She is the reason why he had a horrible childhood.. if only she hadn't had ran into him.
"Come on kids, its time to go home!" cried Miki, getting up from the bench. Natsu watched her out of the corner of her eye and stood up as well. Satu and Kiyoshi ran over to them. Miki smiled and grabbed Satu's hand. Satu grabbed Kiyoshi's hand and they were pulled along by Miki. Natsu followed but felt a small hand grasp his. He looked down at Kiyoshi, who looked back at him. He gave a little smile, and went back to humming the tune he had been before he grabbed Natsu's hand. The four of them walking down the road, their hands locked together.
A/N: I'm sooo sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out! This is the longest chapter so far, so I hope you enjoyed it. Its now summer break so I should be able to get out the rest of the chapters I need too :) The next chapter will be entitled Ghosts of the Past and all I gotta tell you is that you get to see some familier zodiac members and their favorite person! C-Ya :D
