Authors note:Rightie-oh! Well, Kyo might be a bit out-of-character from the previous chappies, but never you mind, he's matured quite a bit with all the revelations and emotions…
And he still swears just as much as ever, so… -wink wink-
Chapter 6: Destiny calls
It was much later, and in Tohru's little apartment, sleep escaped me. It was Tohru now; in all her gentle glory. I felt guilty for ever thinking I loved "Umi", but whatever the name, there was no escaping from those large blue eyes, tender and loving, always the same, no matter what. I felt slightly stupid at the fact that I hadn't guessed earlier. Five years without her had left me living off dreams and hopes, and sudden images popping up in my head, different every time, never catching the exact essence of her that was there, buried deep in my heart.
And now, after all this time, I had found her again, and, unconsciously missing all the signs, was drawn to her despite every law. I was free back then, I thought, remembering with relish the few times when I hugged her or held her in my arms without turning into a cat, or worse…
I'd never be able to do that again now, she had made that clear. She begged for forgiveness so many times, sobbing and going on about how it was her fault and now all was ruined. But in my mind everything was simple: I would rather be cursed ten thousand times than be separated from her again.
Still, Tohru had reason for concern. All the other Juunishi, scattered around the world, were exposed again, without knowledge of their weakness. It was dangerous, I was conscious of it.
Now, she was lying in the hollow of my arm, careful not to lean too much against me for fear of making me transform. She said she wasn't tired, but her regular breathing made me understand that she had fallen asleep at last. I still felt random tears running down her cheeks from time to time and falling on my arms.
"It's not your fault" I kept whispering in her ear, trying to make her believe it.
Finally, my arm went numb and gently I lifted Tohru off and placed a pillow under her head before covering her with a colored quilt I found lying across an armchair. As silently as I could, I walked up to the telephone and pulled my address book out of my pocket.
Time to spread the news.
The first person I called took a long time to answer the telephone, but when he picked up I immediately felt relieved.
"Yes?" a cool, emotionless voice answered, all business.
"Hatori", I stressed, conveying the urgency of my message through that single word.
"Kyo?"
I had sure surprised our little old-but-new seahorse.
"Yes, Hatori, we have a…complication."
How could I put it? I racked my brain for a quick and effective way that wouldn't put Tohru under too much blame. But nothing came to my head except the directness I was so used to.
"Go on."
With calm Hatori back, I felt more at ease, readier to tell everything.
"Are you alone", I checked, "suddenly anxious not to be overheard."
"Why Kyo? What is so important to you that you do not want to be spied upon?"
What was his problem?! Why did he feel the need to stall? I breathed for a few seconds, trying to keep my cool. I hadn't realized how tense I was, just how anxious this whole situation had made me.
My long silence seemed to bother him.
"There's no-one here apart from Shigure and Ayame. If their presence discomforts you, I can ask them to leave, although I really doubt they will…"
A relieved sigh escaped my throat.
"No, no…make them stay…they're concerned."
Across the miles of telephone line I could picture Hatori lifting his eyebrow skeptically.
"Concerned?"
That's where my patience ended.
"WILL YOU STOP INTERRUPTING ME OR ELSE I'LL HANG UP AND YOU'LL BE STUCK THERE LIKE THE FRICKIN' BASTARDS THAT YOU ARE DO YOU HEAR ME!!"
Somehow, the shout alleviated me of my anxiety and I leaned back in the chair, taking a deep breath and concentrating to regain my composure.
"What is it Kyo?" Hatori's voice sounded nervous; maybe he had finally caught up with the importance of my call, or maybe I had just alarmed him with my rough tone.
Panting after my sudden vocal outburst, I answered quickly and matter-of-factly, hoping they'd understand at once.
"The curse. It has come back."
It was out; finally! I was readying myself to hear shocked silence at the other end of the receiver, but Hatori spoke with amusement
"What is that supposition founded on, Kyo, tell me?"
I took my breath in sharply—surely Hatori of all people wouldn't doubt...
But the voice I had heard was Shigure's, probably having grabbed the receiver out of Hatori's hands with his usual cheek. Anger rushed in me at a breathtaking speed.
"YOU DON'T BELIVE ME? GO HUG THE FISRT GIRL YOU MEET AND SEE WHAT FRICKIN' HAPPENS! I DON'T CARE ANYMORE! IT'S GONNA BE YOUR FAULT IF WE'RE ALL EXPOSED IN THE END!!
I gasped for air, my lungs tight, my face red and burning. How dare they! After all Tohru had been through for them…
I turned to check on her, reddening even more from fear of having woken her up with my violent demonstrations.
There she was, propped up on one elbow in the act of sitting up, staring at me with wide, sleepy eyes.
I mumbled an apology but my mind jumped back to the conversation I was discerning on the other end of the line, where some sort of quarrel was happening. Finally, silence rushed in to replace the noise, and then Hatori spoke again in a calm voice.
"Kyo, are you sure this isn't a…false alarm?"
"I MOST CERTAINLY AM, IDIOT!" I nearly shouted, and it took all my self-control to not put the receiver down. I was having telephone problems lately, stemming mostly for the fact that I was calling entirely wrong people. After a few long minutes of inhaling and exhaling at a steady rate, I felt calm enough to respond.
"No Hatori, this isn't a false alarm. It's the truth. I…"
I left the explanation hanging, reluctant to tell them about Tohru. The time hadn't come yet. Let them wonder. Let them doubt me. But I wouldn't be pulling Tohru into this mess.
"I trust you Kyo…" AH! A kind word at last. Would they believe me now? "…but if this turns out to be some prank of yours, then…"
The going was easier now, although I still feel a rush of indignation at the assumption.
"Of course it's not a prank! Who'd prank like that? Hatori…you have to spread the news…! What if they're hugging someone right now—they don't know the danger. And we should have a meeting somewhere, I…have something to…explain…"
"Kyo…"
"And", I cut him short, "if we meet anytime soon…could you…find my beads again for me?"
I was revolted to even speak of them, but if it was back, I'd have to wear them again, every day, every moment of the day. I remembered mother fussing over them, "Kyo, do you still have your beads on?" , "Kyo, be careful with them". The disgust they inspired in me was overwhelming but I fought it down, concentrating on more pressing matters.
Luckily, Hatori sounded convinced. Maybe it was my mentioning the beads, something he knew I would never do had this been anything but the real thing. Those beads that I loathed beyond anything on earth because of their significance and how I couldn't go without.
"I'll see what I can do, and Kyo, leave me a phone number where I can join you so I can tell you about any further developments." His tone was pressing, and I gladly recited Tohru's number which was written on a pad next to the telephone.
"I'll be seeing you Kyo and…thank you for telling us before it's too late."
A warm feeling sneaked into my heart…was it pride? I was proud as a five-year-old having carried a whole grocery bag for an old lady, but I couldn't help it.
"I…see you."
Quickly, I put the receiver down before the proud feeling got to my head. I glanced at Tohru who was wearing a puzzled but calm expression on her face, and I sank into the chair, relieved that the ordeal was over at last.
Slowly, Tohru stood up and walked up to me, small feet making a soft pitter patter on the wooden floor.
"You called them…?" She asked gently, half relieved and half fearful.
"Hatori. He said he'll spread the news."
"Thank you…I was afraid I'd have to do it myself."
I lifted my hand a gently traced the outline of her cheek with the tips of my fingers, wiping stray tears away as I went.
A strange longing filled me, to rush at her and kiss her as hard as I could, but I contained myself and laid a single soft kiss on her lips…like a whispered promise for better times to come. We both deserved them. Everyone does after a time of long suffering.
And truly, looking at my poor little Tohru for the first time in years, with her twinkling humid eyes…she was thinner than she used to be, I realized. Worn out.
She needed rest. She needed love.
And then and there I addressed a silent promise to myself. I would give her all the love I had, and stars to wear around her neck. I'd bring down the moon for her, and search for the sweetest flowers for her to adorn herself with. I'd make her content like she never had been in her life. And I would be the happiest man on earth while doing it.