"What happened?"
Kyo looked down at Hatori.
"I don't know..." He said "She... she just... we were walking home from Shishou's... and we were talking about family... and then she started acting weird... holding her head and screaming... I don't know what she was talking about."
Hatori placed a damp cloth on Mei's head and turned to Kyo.
"You don't know?"
"What?"
"About Mei's family?"
Kyo shook his head.
"No."
"Well... it's best that she tell you." He said, standing "There's not much I can do for her. Just make sure she gets plenty of rest."
"Hatori... wait..."
Hatori however, continued walking.
A few hours later, Mei awoke. Kyo was sitting on the floor by her bed, his head resting on it, sleep. She reached down and stroaked back his hair. He stirred and woke.
"Hey." He said
"Hi." She said "What happened?"
"I dunno... you passed out... we were walking home from Shishou's... and..."
"Oh..."
Her eyes began to get that same sad, lost look in then again.
"Mei... you... you said 'mommy'... were you thinking about your family?"
Mei's eyes lowered. She nodded.
"Yes."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"Oh..." He replied "Well... I'm here if you..."
"They... they hated me." Mei blurted.
Kyo looked at her strangely. She rambled on as if she didn't know that she was talking.
"Kyo? Remember that day not to long ago... when you and Yuki pushed me on the swings? And I told you about the time... when I ran away and started swinging, but I couldn't remember why?"
Kyo nodded.
"Now I do." She said "I remember... that my parents had a fight... and as always... it was about me. They kept saying all these awful things... about how sick and horrible I was... because at that time... I was so little and weak, I couldn't control my transformations yet... so they'd just happen randomly... in the grocery store... post office. I put Tori-nii through so much to surpress all those memories... and my parent's hated me for it. They said... I was a burden... that they wish I'd never been born. And my father.. he'd get so drunk... he'd say most horrible things. And my mother, cheering him on was no help."
"Mei... I..."
"And I tried explaining to them... that I couldn't control my zodiac... that I couldn't stop my transforming.. but of course they didn't believe me. It was torture... living there... breathing and existing... everyday. Up until one night... when I just couldn't take it anymore... and I ran away... and that's when you and Yuki found me the next morning... of course I got hell for it when I went home... but it was worth it. The screaming and the bruises... that one night... when I was finally free... was worth.. infinet torture... and that's why I still run away. I give up and leave. And I feel so safe when I'm gone."
She smiled for a moment.
"I found out... that the main house had given me a bank account... and that... my parents had been stealing from it. And that was sorta what pushed me to move out. So, after kicking my dad in the nuts... I gathered my things and moved in with Akito... who made surprisingly interesting company."
"I'm so sure."
Mei giggled.
"And then I got my own room at the main house... it was nice... and I started hanging out with Shigure and you guys and that was my life story in five minuets, how about you?"
Kyo leaned up and kissed Mei.
"I-I love you." He said
Mei smiled.
"I know. How could you not?"
Kyo shook his head.
"Mei... how come... you... live like this?"
"Like what?"
"Like... you do..."
"Kyo... baby... I'm as wild as the wind. No one will ever tame me, and I like it that way. I like... living like I do. Not being tied down to too much. I really like it. I mean, life is too short to spend it being miserable. I never know when I'm going to get hit by a car or shot in the temple with a stay bullet or get some bad sushi... ya know? So I live everyday like it's my last. I breath every breath, like today is my last day on earth. Live for today Kyo... for tomorrow we die."
"Interesting theory."
"Well... I'm just full of fun things to hear and say."
Kyo laughed.
"You crack me up you know that?"
"I do?"
"And... you've changed me a lot too."
"Oh really... well I always say... within each of us.. is the power to change the world. The power to shape a persons life, mold it. And most of us should just tap into that power... however, some of us should just leave it where it is."
"Why?"
"Because..." Mei said, standing "Just because you have power... doesn't mean you'll always use it for good."
She walked over to her closet and pulled a robe on.
"Where are you going?"
"For a walk."
"Where?"
"Um... just around the back yard... it'll be nice... to be alone for once."
"Uh..."
"Don't worry. I'm not going to run off... I'll be fine... and I'll be back in a little while."
"Promise?"
"Promise."