A/ N: Okay….is it just me, or is this story incredibly slow-paced? At this rate, there will be like 50 something' chapters before it ends. Er, maybe I just have some problem with moving on, because I was looking back, and I've spent the past six chapters covering ONE day. I'm sorry, but the day is STILL not going to end in this chapter. It will in the next one, though- I semi-promise. But for the future, please let me know when I start to drone on about something. Just be all,
"Yo! Jos! Get over this section already- your'e gonna make me kill myself of boredom!" :reader slaps Jos:
To all my reviewers- I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH! THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING AND PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, DON'T STOP! Seriously. I would have, like, given up so long ago if it were not for you guys, 'cause I really do need some kind of motivation to write- and you are my motivation.
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Disclaimer: I have no claim on Fruits Basket...sadly.
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Chapter 13: The Day Still Hasn't Ended?
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It seemed only fitting that such an extraordinary day would have an extraordinary ending.
And it was quite extraordinary finish, indeed.
As the group approached the small town, the sky was smoldered in a stream of bright light as the sun began its unhurried descent beneath the horizon line. Tohru had always preferred sunrises over sunsets, herself. This was mainly because the sunrise held a much more significant meaning to her. It symbolized a fresh start; new beginnings; and a rebirth of life, all of which were principles that she cherished excessively. Not, that the sunset wasn't important- far from it. Tohru thought sunsets were very beautiful. And she supposed that having an ending was a perfectly good thing- but, Tohru preferred to look forward to the beginnings, not the ends.
Disregarding her position on the matter, on this evening, Tohru was very much a sunset-person.
Because this particular sunset was the most spectacular one she'd ever seen.
She was so caught up in watching it, her legs stopped moving entirely and she stared at the heavens in awe. The production was a dazzling show of brilliant hues and illumination. The blinding gold light that brilliantly cast over the land, making everything- from the tips of the fir trees to the thin blades of grass- shimmer and sparkle in gold. Then, the warm yellow rays flushed with the faintest shade of pink, bleeding into the rich reds and crimson, creating a cascade of color. When the sun had finally vanished, the sky was still drowning in left-over shades of orange and burgundy. The soft clouds that stretched across the heavens were lined with glittering gold and dripping lustrous lilac. Finally, the cool tides of violet-blue washed over the whole scene, ending the display.
Tohru and Kyo were both so caught up in the experience, neither one had noticed the Ryuu and Kyon-kichi had gone ahead.
Even after the sun had set, they stood there, still too awed to move just yet.
Kyo was the first to recover. And, to notice that Ryuu was yelling for them to hurry up a few yards ahead, at the main entrance to the town- if you could call a dirt road a 'main entrance', that is.
"Tohru" he said softly, lightly placing his hand on her shoulder.
She blinked a few times, and then jumped, startlingly. "Eh! How long have I been standing here?"
He had no clue himself. "Not that long." Kyo said despite that.
Tohru was visibly relieved. "Oh, good."
"Whatever-come on, we gotta catch up with them." Kyo said taking her hand. "Let's go." Kyo led her to where Ryuu and Kichi were impatiently waiting, at a rather hasty pace.
Tohru didn't dare refuse. So she nodded and allowed herself to be piloted by Kyo.
'I wonder if I'm the only one who notices how tightly he is holding my hand', she thought bitterly.
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"For some reason," Kyo said to no-one in particular as they strolled through the dark streets, "I don't think we are in Kansas anymore, Toto."
He found himself in the middle of what looked like a feudal-age Japanese village. No wonder the road had been so poorly put together, I mean, look at the town! The 'town' consisted of maybe ten or twelve buildings, at least as far as he could see. And all of them were very, very traditional- right down to the straw thatched roofs covering them. But, in the not-too-far-off distance, he could see a very tall and stately looking stone wall surrounded a considerably large region. That, he suspected, was where the real city must lie, not, in this deprived parish.
But what were most surprising were the few people he saw walking on the streets by the glow of the evening. All of them were wearing the traditional Japanese clothing. Most of the men wore jinbe- no jeans or t-shirts for these guys; and the women were shrouded in yukatas or kimonos. None of them, he noticed, wore pants. The material of their clothing was not exactly the finest, either. Kyo could tell from the course, folds and frayed edges that they were not in a very wealthy area. The town had to be at least a hundred years old, as well.
"When did we get to Disneyland?" Kyo asked in sarcastic surprise.
Ryuu's normally flawless forehead was now marred by a quizzical frown. "Ouch-…Um, Kyo-san, we are in Kyoto, not Ouch…." He trailed off unable to pronounce it.
Kyo shook his head. "No way- I spent three months in Kyoto four summers ago and unless," he gestured at the buildings and streets surrounding them, "it has somehow managed to go seriously downhill, which," he added, "I am sure is not the case, then I can safely say that this is not Kyoto." Kyo finished his spiel.
"Off…base?" Ryuu tilted his head in question.
What Kyo really wanted to do was wipe that stupid smirk of the guy's face. However, he was sure that Tohru would have something to say about it. So he said sarcastically, "Yeah. What, were you born yesterday? This is not Kyoto."
Ryuu shrugged nonchalantly and crossed his arms. "You could ask any of the people who live here and I'm sure you will get the same answer."
Ah.
A challenge.
"You're on!" Kyo smirked. He then spun around to search for someone nearby who looked at least semi-sane, unlike their unkind guide. Just then, an elderly man turned the corner and hobbled on by, leaning on a knobby cane for extra support.
"Oy!" Kyo shouted across the street loudly to get the man's attention.
The man looked up curiously.
"Old man, do you know where we are?" Kyo called.
The man looked taken aback and blinked. Then he replied, "Why of course I do- you're right there!" he pointed at them with a shaky hand. Then he muttered to himself, "What a stupid question to ask…"
Ryuu tsked and mocked, "Goodness Kyo-san, what a stupid question to ask."
Kyo turned to glare at Ryuu.
Tohru, in the meantime, was fighting back the laughter that was threatening to bubble out of her at any moment. The end result was her scrunching her face up- which made her look constipated. And it didn't work. Tohru couldn't refrain from making little choke/sneezing noises when she muffled her giggling.
Kyo narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously.
"Gazuntight!" Ryuu said cheerfully, which, much to Kyo's confusion, sent Tohru into fresh peals of laughter- this time un-muffled.
After a few moments he finally realized that the reason for her amusement might have a great deal to do with him and felt the tips of his ears turn pink. He turned around to address the old man again to find that he had miraculously vanished.
"What the hell?" He hissed.
"Um, he left while you were talking to Ryuu-sama." Tohru piped in.
Great.
Just Great.
Another fine example of what a fool the cat is, Kyo thought bitterly.
"Well," Ryuu interrupted Kyo's brief train of thought, "Now that we have that over and done with, what say you to my finding you some accommodations for the time being?"
Tohru bowed politely. "Thank you." She faltered. "But, erm, I don't have any money with me…." She looked at Kyo apologetically for help. He shook his head. He only had small change in his wallet.
"No problem." Ryuu said kindly. "I have some friends here. I am sure they would be more than happy to accommodate you. And," he added with a grin, "Provide a hot meal."
As if on que, Tohru's stomach loudly gurgled.
She blushed becomingly and Ryuu laughed out loud.
But then she remembered herself. "Oh-n-n-no!" she cried. "We can't possibly burden ourselves on someone we don't even know! I…I just couldn't possibly….I mean how could we-…?" She broke off, distraught.
Ryuu chuckled softly and shook his finger at her. "No," he said "Do not worry yourself overly over a matter when I have already told you it would be no problem." He switched on the manipulative charm. "Besides" he added, "It would be an insult to my honor if you were to refuse my protection tonight."
"Oh... well if that's the case….I suppose…" Tohru murmured.
"It is." Ryuu assured her.
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"This is it!" Ryuu said to the group happily. They all stood in the dark near the entrance of what was assumed to be someone's home. It was well kept at least, compared to some of the other houses they had passed along their way. This building was, in its own way, rather quaint – especially the cute little garden in the front.
Ryuu rapped his knuckles on the rice paneled door. He yelled loudly "Kohei! Are you there Kohei? If you are, you better open up this door right this minute before I break it down myself!"
Tohru looked as though she would have an apoplexy right then and there.
"Please!" she squealed, tugging on the sleeve of Ryuu's arm franticly. "There is no need to yell…I'm sure-" she faltered when she heard the sound of approaching foot steps from with-in and a very irritated voice.
"Dammit, Horo-kun!" someone shouted, "What is your problem? What part of, 'he isn't here' do you not understand? If he wasn't here ten minutes ago, he sure as hell isn't going to be here now! …If I have to tell you to get off my property one more time I swear, I'll-"
Right then door smashed open and revealed a very angry looking man. But when he saw who was on his doorstep his expression changed.
Changed to being really, really angry, that is.
"KIN-?" he stuttered.
"Kin-san, where the HELL have you been? Dammit, if I've told you once, I've told you twice, to never involve me in your stupid gambling debts!" He roared before slamming his fist into Ryuu's face.
"OW!" Ryuu howled and clutched his already-swelling cheek. "Shi, that really hurt! I think you really meant to hurt me that time!" he whined indigently. Then, with lightening-fast reflexes Ryuu responded by sinking his spare fist into the other man's stomach, making him double over in pain.
The two stood like that for a few moments, each bent over and panting from the sting of his injury. The one Ryuu had called "Shi" rose first. He slapped Ryuu on the back with a hearty chortle of laughter.
"You're getting too slow, Kin-kichi. You should have sensed that coming from a mile away!" He said jovially.
"Yeah?" Ryuu looked up. "And what about your so-called-instincts, huh? They sure don't seem to be doing you any good, Shi-chi."
They both laughed at that as if there were some big, hilarious joke between them.
Tohru and Kyo just looked at each-other blankly.
Both of their gazes clearly said, 'What the hell just happened?'
Since Tohru didn't look like she could handle it at the moment, as she was too shocked and bewildered by what they had just witnessed to speak yet, Kyo cleared his throat suggestively.
Ryuu looked at Kyo, like he was just noticing that they were still there, and shook his head badly. "I'm so sorry- I don't know where my manners have flown off to…Shi," he said pointing to Tohru, "This is Honda-san."
"Miss Honda" the man swept her a very elegant and deep bow.
"And this," he waved a hand at Kyo, "Is her friend."
Kyo grit his teeth at Ryuu's obvious fail to notice him.
"This is Kouhei-kun." Ryuu told Tohru and Kyo.
"I'm very pleased to meet you, sir." Tohru said politely.
Kyo nodded.
Ryuu rolled his eyes impatiently. "Yes, yes. Everyone loves each other. Now that the introductions are over, are you going to let us in or what? It's getting so dark I can't even see my own hand!" he waved his limb in the air, as if to prove this point.
Kouhei stood aside so they could enter. As Kyo-kun passed him, he quietly gasped. Tohru was sure that she was the only one who could hear him. She started to say and winked at Tohru as she passed him. "And he says I have bad manners…" he whispered in her ear.
Tohru was mortified to hear herself giggle.
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The first thing he noticed was that the house had no electricity.
Oh well. That figured, considering the town they were in. When he stepped into the dim light of the main room he noticed how dark it had truly been outside. What time was it really? It felt like he had long since lost his sense of time. To him, it felt like they'd been traveling for days. His stomach gurgled again. It seemed like his stomach was the best watch he had at the moment. Right now, it read, it's dinner time! Feed me! Feed me!
When he stood, he took in his surroundings. Much like the outside, the inside of the house was traditionally furnished and modeled to the boot. A long table stretched across the later half of the room, resting on a thickly plaited reed floor. A few paintings and family scrolls hung on the dividing walls was lit by the soft glow of various candles, atop various counters, tables and stands. Then he noticed Kouhei. In the light he could affirm that Kouhei wasn't much older then he was. Kouhei was probably only 19 or 20. He was tall and had short, black hair and very dark eyes.
"Please excuse me." Kouhei said with a slight bow. "I must inform Mina that there will be additional guests dining with us tonight. In the mean time, please make yourself comfortable."
He turned to Ryuu, "I'm sure that you will have no trouble doing that, Kin."
Ryuu grinned shamelessly and saluted before plopping down on one of the many cushions surrounding the large table.
When Kouhei had left, Kyo and Tohru were still awkwardly standing where they were.
"Come, he shan't be long- dinner is usually served at six here."
Tohru looked uneasy, but sat down, even though every thought in her head screamed in protest. It just didn't feel right being in someone's home like this- sitting at someone's table when she had not yet been properly invited to do so. In her book, it was a gross violation of etiquette. Tohru felt as though she were going to implode if she didn't apologize and give her respects to the master of the house as soon as possible.
"God, calm down already." Kyo said disgustedly when he detected her discomfort.
Tohru forced a smile that ended up looking a little scarier then it did appeasing.
"Sorry." She said badly, "I just…well, don't you feel like we are interfering a little too much? I mean, we just showed up on their doorstep unexpectedly, and then we go and demand room and board! Oh, he must think that we are horrible, horrible people!"
"Hey! We didn't demand anything." Ryuu pointed out.
Tohru didn't care. " Oh…dear, I feel like such a cruel person… what if they don't have enough food to feed themselves and they are giving us their last from the larder because they feel obligated to wait on their guests? Oh no! They should really throw us out! We should-"
"They have enough to eat." Ryuu felt the need to clarify. "The family owns a small farm. I am sure that they are not going to starve anytime soon."
Tohru didn't hear that. Because at the moment she was off in her own little panicky world. Tohru couldn't keep still- she was like a caged tiger, pacing restlessly back and forth...back and forth. Her blatant nervousness made everyone else in the room feel on edge and was creating an air of palpable tension, so thick; it could be cut with a blunt knife.
Finally, after what to Tohru, had seem like eons, Kouhei returned. She shot up so fast she nearly knocked the table over.
"Please!" she cried "I am so sorry to inconvenience you like this- if we are causing a problem in any way, please, please tell me- I wouldn't want to trouble you. Oh, and don't hesitate to throw us out if we are, okay? Is there anything I can do for you? Is there anything I can help with? I can cook. I know that I'm no master chef, but I'll try my best, I promise! Or maybe you'd like me to clean something. I can clean pretty well too. I'll do anything at all- just say so!"
Tohru held her fist tightly to her heart and stood rigidly. Her big brown eyes flashed with strong resolve and her mouth was set into a firm line. The whole picture was very intimidating, actually.
He was taken aback. "P-please, Miss Honda, sit down. Your presence is no trouble one-so ever."
"No!" Tohru interpreted. "Please! Tell me what I can do!"
Kouhei, who felt like he'd be responsible for a scene if he said no, told her, "Err…alright. If that is what you really wish…I suppose you could help in the preparation of the meal…"
"Okay!" Tohru turned and left the room before Kouhei could even direct her to the kitchen. The room was silent for a second.
Then he glanced at Ryuu. "Ryuu," Kouhei said, "Could you please help her to the kitchen?"
Ryuu gave a curt nod before taking standing up and following the direction that Tohru had marched down. Kyo, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes. He didn't trust that Ryuu guy one bit. His interactions with Tohru earlier that day had decided this attitude. In fact, he was in half a mind to follow them, and give Ryuu a big ol'-
"So." Kouhei suddenly said.
Kyo raised his eyebrows. "So-?"
Kouhei walked over to the table and sat down, bracing his elbows on it's gleaming, polished surface. He watched Kyo from across the table with his liquid black eyes.
"May I ask how you came upon my friend Ryuu?" Kouhei casually asked.
"Mmm. Yeah- Well, um, you see Tohru and I were walking in that huge forest and I guess we walked a little too far because we suddenly found ourselves in a really unfamiliar area. Is this region near one of the Sohma estates?" Kyo abruptly switched topics.
"Sohma? ...No, I don't believe so. So, Ryuu found you?" Kouhei, just as easily, switched topics back.
"Er. Yeah." Kyo fiddled with a piece dry reed from the matted floor.
"How long have you been traveling?" Kouhei asked.
"Only about a day...Um...er, thanks for ...like, letting us stay here." Kyo said awkwardly.
Kouhei's mouth tilted upwards. "It's fine. So, the young women that you are traveling with- she is your wife, yes?"
Kyo blinked and shook his head. He'd already been through a similar line of questioning that day, so the inquiry wasn't too much of a shock. "Hell, no! I'm still in high school."
A frown broke across Kouhei's mouth, but was so brief; it disappeared before Kyo could even notice it had been there.
"I see." Kouhei said, his smile only slightly faltering. Though from the tone of his voice, Kyo was certain that he didn't 'see' anything at all. In fact, he noticed a hint of disapproval creep into Kouhei's voice.
Weird.
Kyo mentally shrugged and continued his evaluation of the reed strand. When he looked up again, he noticed that Kouhei was staring at him rather intently.
At first Kyo thought that Kouhei was looking at the scroll hanging on the wall behind Kyo, so he brushed it aside. But after a minute or so, Kyo glanced up again to find Kouhei's eyes boring into his. Let me tell you, if a guy looks at you in a similar way that Kouhei was watching Kyo, he had every reason to feel really wierded out.
"Er," Kyo said.
"Your hair," Kouhei explained, "is a very interesting color. So are your eyes."
Kyo bristled at that. Kouhei had just hit on a very touchy subject right in the bulls-eye. When he was in kindergarten, Kyo was constantly teased by his classmates because of his unusual markings. At first he told the other kids that that was just the way it was. But they didn't listen- they just laughed and called him names like, "carrot-top". Of course, whenever they did make fun of him, Kyo would get back by beating the crap out of every single one of those damn turds.
After kindergarten, very few people made fun of him any more.
But still- it wasn't like he needed to be reminded that it was just one more thing that made him different from everyone else.
"Yeah? What of it?" Kyo dared him to make just one single remark.
"Nothing really. There are just not too many people with hair like that."
Kyo was about to attack his host when he heard Tohru call, "Kyo-kun, Kouhei-kun, we brought dinner!" as soon as she finished the sentence the paper divider swooshed open.
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In filed Tohru first, carrying two large steaming earthen-ware bowls, followed by Ryuu, who was balancing several trays of his own in his arms, and lastly a young girl with a tray of cups and what was probably a pot of tea.
Kyo instantly forgot about tearing into Kouhei and looked at him questioningly instead.
Kouhei stood. "I see that you have already met my sister, Mina-san. I am sorry that I was not able to make a more formal introduction earlier. Please forgive me, Miss Honda."
"Oh, no!" Tohru said. "That's quite alright. We ran into her in the kitchen. It is entirely my fault that we disturbed her."
"But, Tohru-chan," the girl said defensively, "it was no disturbance at all. Meeting you has been quite diverting- in a good way of course!" She giggled.
"Oh, Mina-san!" Tohru clasped the other girl's hands, beaming.
Kyo watched the scene unfold in confusion- an emotion that he was becoming more familiar than he would have liked with lately. The girl was very pretty. Her long red-orange hair contrasted prettily with her jewel-green kimono, making her pale skin look flawless. She had sparkling golden-brown eyes that were so light in color, they almost seemed to be more yellow then they were brown. She looked like the kind of girl who could light up rooms with a bubbly personality. All in all, she was very cute and charming to look upon.
When she finally noticed Kyo sitting there in the corner, her own eyes widened. Mina-san appeared to be in a state of shock as she looked him over.
"Are you by chance," she asked, "the cat?"
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A/N: Yay! New characters! And still, there will be more to come! Hmmm, I wonder why Mina thinks Kyo is the cat. And what's up with Kouhei's creepy interest in Kyo? Who are "Kin" and "Shi"? And does Ryuu know something but is keeping it from everyone else? Find out on the next episode of OFAD!
