Disclaimer: Not mine
Author's note: Still pretty boring, I know, but I got some good stuff for this chapter!
Chapter Three: Room and Board
Later that evening, Jenny was lying on the roof, looking up at the stars and thinking about the events of the day. Kyo had disappeared that morning, and no one knew where he could have gone. "He'll be back soon, though," Yuki had said during dinner, "Please don't worry yourself over an idiot like him. Kyo can take care of himself."
But she was worried. I don't want anything to happen to him. If there were an accident and he got hurt, who would there be to tell us? Jenny shook herself mentally, telling herself that she was sounding like her mother. No! He's not worth my time! I've just got to calm down and keep going. I have other things to think about- like where I'll be able to find some different clothes…But why does Kyo hate me? He seems to hate the fact that I'm here- and I wonder why he hates Yuki so much? She let her mind wander on the subject of Yuki, thinking about how polite he was, and how popular he probably was in school. No wonder he's Student Body President…
Turning over, Jenny rested her head on her arms, a slight breeze stirring her nightgown and her hair. Even though Shigure had set up a place to sleep for her on the sofa, Jenny hadn't been able to sleep, so she crept on the roof to lie down. The stars comforted her, and she wondered if her family was looking up at the same stars- the same sky- right at that moment, and if they were thinking about her too…
An odd rustling caught her attention, and she sat bolt upright. The ladder attached to the side of the house gave a squeak as someone began to climb, up to the roof. Jenny tensed, frightened, but ready to scream- until she saw Kyo reach the top and step onto the roof. He froze when he saw her, and Jenny stayed still also, not knowing quite what to do or say. Finally, one word escaped her lips: "Ummm…"
Kyo merely sighed, and flopped down onto the roof, sitting by her, but not with her, and he looked up and gazed at the stars as well. Jenny looked away, blushing a bit. He's still mad at me, but I don't know why!
"I'm sorry…" she apologized softly. His head swiveled and he looked at her in confusion.
"What are babbling about now?" he asked, his voice harsh.
"I'm sorry that I made you mad this morning. I didn't mean to be intrusive-"
"Forget it," He interrupted, looking out onto the horizon, "It's no big deal. I just lost my temper this morning- it wasn't about you…"
"Your…temper?" she asked quietly
"Yeah," he answered, "I was mad at…someone else…I don't care if you stay here- really, it's okay…Why are you out here, anyway?"
"Huh? Oh- I couldn't sleep…. from nerves, I guess."
Kyo looked over at her. "Was the move here really that difficult?"
"No! Not at all!…I guess it's just not knowing what's happening back home that's making me nervous…And not knowing what's going to happen here."
"Here?" Kyo thought for a minute, then said, "Nothing much really happens here, to tell you the truth…"
Jenny smiled, "I don't know. But whatever does happen, I'm glad I get to be here. I'm glad I get to stay here with all of you instead of some other family. Knowing that…. gives me more than a bit of courage…"
Kyo sighed, and laid down, his hands behind his head. "What's it like in America? What happens there?"
Grinning, Jenny turned to him and answered, "Nothing much…"
They sat in a comfortable silence, until Jenny looked over, and say that Kyo was asleep. Smiling a bit, Jenny got to her feet, and left him alone, going back to her bed on the couch. This time, she had no trouble sleeping at all….
The next morning during breakfast, Shigure said he had an announcement to make.
"I have found a solution," he said, "to the question of where you will sleep, Jeni-kun. Since you can't sleep on the couch for a year, we will make the attic into your bedroom, if that's okay."
Jenny smiled, "That sounds wonderful!"
But Yuki quickly stepped in on the conversation.
"Shigure, you know that the attic is full to bursting with junk, not to mention how stuffy it must be by now.
Shigure nodded, and gave an awkward chuckle, "Well, you know…I was going to speak about that, too. You and Kyo said you wanted to train a bit before school starts, right?"
"NO," both boys said.
"Well, that still doesn't change the fact that I'm going to need both of you to help me clean it out this afternoon." Shigure continued.
"What!" the two Sohma boys answered.
However, even with all of Yuki and Kyo's protesting, it was finally agreed that they would help clean out the attic so Jennifer could move in. Then, Shigure said he had gotten a notice from the airport in the morning mail.
"The airline says that they've lost your suitcase, and they don't know what's happened to it. They said that they would check the other flights, but that there was little hope of finding it. I hope you didn't pack anything too valuable," Shigure told her.
Jennifer hung her head, "No- my important things are in my book bag- but what am I going to do for clothes? The only clothing I have in my knapsack is my school uniform…"
"Tohru- why don't you take Jeni-kun clothes shopping while we do the cleaning? That way you can have time to become friends, and it will give Jeni-kun a chance to see a bit more of Japan." Shigure suggested.
So it was settled- Jennifer borrowed a skirt and blouse from Tohru, for which she was very thankful. She didn't want to be mistaken for a cross-dresser again. The two girls set off for town, bidding good-bye to the others, and soon, they were in a wonderful little market place, with tons of small stands and boutiques. Jenny looked at everything, and was able to buy quite a bit without spending too much of the money her parents had given her.
Around one, Tohru and Jennifer stopped at a small outdoor restaurant to have lunch.
"Phew!" Tohru exclaimed, flopping down on her seat, "I'm exhausted!"
"Thank you sooo much for showing me around and taking me shopping! This was great- I had the best time! Thanks! Thanks a lot!" Jennifer said, putting her bags down.
"Glad you liked it!" Tohru giggled, "I hope you're liking Japan so far!"
"Oh, yes!" beamed Jenny, "You and the Sohmas are so kind to let me stay with you! I know that my arrival was rather unexpected, and I want to thank you for your hospitality. I just don't want to do something wrong….Do you think that...maybe…If I do something wrong, could you tell me? I'm still not used to the rules about manners or customs, and I wouldn't want to offend someone unknowingly.."
Tohru smiled warmly, "Nonsense. I'm flattered you would ask for my help, but you're doing just fine. I'm sure you'll fit right in at school too, and you're already more than welcome at the Sohmas."
"I was just worried I may have…done something…to Kyo Sohma-san…to make him mad at me," Jenny admitted, blushing a bit.
"Huh?" questioned Tohru, "Oh- that. No- Kyo-kun isn't angry with you. That's just the way he is. Please don't be upset! I know that it's a bit hard to get used to, but Kyo-kun really is a nice person! It just takes a bit of time for him to get to know you and feel comfortable around you, that's all! It's nothing personal. Kyo-kun…just has a bit of a temper."
"But why does he hate Yuki Sohma-san so much? Is that just his temper, too?"
Tohru hesitated, and gave an awkward grin, "Well- no, that actually is just hatred for Yuki-kun. The two of them are…childhood rivals. They just never really got along. Also, even though Kyo-kun started learning martial arts first, Yuki-kun is better at it and much stronger than Kyo. It's Kyo's dream to beat Yuki-kun in a fight, so if they start to fight, just know that that sort of thing is normal."
Tohru really helped ease Jenny's fears, and at four-thirty, they headed back home for dinner. When they stepped through the door, they saw Kyo sitting in front of the television, watching a movie. He turned around at the sound of the door opening, saw it was only the two of them, and turned his attention back to the screen. Tohru, after giving a hasty "Hello," to Kyo, called out, "Shigure-san! We're home!" before going down the hall to Shigure's study. Jenny, unsure of just what to do, walked over to Kyo and said, "Hello,"
"Yo," was his response, still staring fixatedly at the screen.
"H-how was your day?" she asked tentatively.
"I had to spend all day cleaning out some musty attic with that damn Yuki bugging me the whole time. How do you think my day was?" Kyo bit back.
"I-I'm sorry…" she answered, looking at the ground. Kyo looked over at her, and at the hurt expression on her face and let out a soft, "Ah!". But before he could say anything, Shigure's voice rang out, "Jeniiiii-kuuuuun! Come and see your new rooooooom!" Jenny stood up, and went up the stairs, leaving Kyo behind.
When she appeared at the attic door, there were Shigure-san and Tohru-kun, waiting for her. Shigure smiled, and said, "Welcome to the Sohma family!" before pushing the door open.
There was the attic, with a sloping roof and beams running along the walls. It wasn't a very large room, but it was bigger than what she had back home. Dust swirled around, and the air was thick with stuffiness and dampness. To the right was a brass bedstead in desperate need of a polish, and on the wall right in front of her, were three large bookcases and even a nice desk tucked into the corner. But what really got Jenny's attention was the skylight fixed into the pitched ceiling. It was large enough for a person to climb through, and now it was propped open, so a breeze could come through.
"It isn't much," Shigure said, "but this space is yours, if you want it. Feel free to make it your own. Decorate it any way you like. It will be a welcome change…"
Jenny turned around, tears of joy in her eyes. "Thank you so much for doing this for me! It means so much to me that you would go through all of this trouble! I'm so happy! Thank you! Thank you so much! I hardly know what to say-"
"Say that you'll stay," said a voice.
Looking past Shigure and Tohru, there was Kyo at the top of the stairs. He had all of Jenny's shopping bags in his hands, and he carried them into the attic for her, setting them in the middle of the room. "Say that you'll stay," Kyo repeated, "You might as well stay here. I didn't clean out this attic for nothing."
"Now, let's be fair, Kyo-kun!" Shigure interrupted, "Yuki did a big part of cleaning up, too! Don't take all of the credit."
"Hey, I did most of the work!" Kyo shouted at Shigure, "The damn pretty boy ran off after lunch, and you made me do the rest by myself!"
"Yuki-kun ran off?" Tohru asked, "That's…unusual…I wonder where he could have got to?"
"Who cares?" Kyo replied, wiping some hair from his eyes, and heading back downstairs, "I'm hungry. When's dinner?"
"Yes, I am starving as well, Tohru-kun!" Shigure whined, going down the stairs after Kyo.
"I'll make dinner!" Jenny offered. The others turned around to look at her, incredulous expressions on their faces. "If that's…okay…" she continued, afraid she may have offended them.
"Uh- I guess that's okay…"Shigure said, looking at the others, "Is that all right with you Tohru-kun?"
"Oh, yes, that's fine! But really, you don't have to cook, Jeni-kun. You are our guest," Tohru said.
"Pah!" Kyo exclaimed, "How do we even know she can cook anyway? I don't want to have to wait all night for dinner, you know!"
"I can so cook!" Jenny exclaimed indignantly.
"Yes, you really ought to give others more of a chance, Kyo-kun!" Shigure admonished before turning to Jenny, "The kitchen is all yours! I can't wait to see what you will fix for us, Jeni-kun!"
"Oh," Tohru said, "Will you make us some American food, Jeni-kun? That would be wonderful! I've always wanted to try real American food! What about you Kyo-kun?"
Kyo just shrugged and said, "As long as it's edible.." before heading back into the living room.
Jenny went into the kitchen, getting out her ingredients. What will I make for them? I want them to like it, but I want to make it special…What is "American food" anyway? Most American foods are just foods from other places, like spaghetti or tacos or French fries…Hm- what do I think of when I think American food?…Hamburger! I'll make them burgers, some fries…Maybe tater tots! Suddenly, loads of ideas about a true American meal came to her, and she started to cook and slice and fry all of the good food she had in mind.
Tohru had offered her help, but Jenny turned her away.
"No, Tohru-kun, you really don't have to help, but I appreciate it. I can handle it!"
"All right, if you're sure," Tohru said with a smile.
"Hey, Tohru-kun..." Jenny said, "I was thinking. Maybe I could do the cooking…more often. And the cleaning, too.."
"Eh!" Tohru exclaimed, "I don't understand.."
"Well, you have a job, don't you? To pay your school expenses and stuff, right?" Jennifer asked.
Tohru nodded, obviously not sure where this was going.
"Well," Jenny continued, "I was just thinking how much work that must be. I mean, being a student and keeping a job and doing all of the house work- it all seems like so much! So I was thinking, I could start to do that. Since the exchange program pays all of my living expenses, I wouldn't have to get a job, but I still want to do my share here, around the house. I could do the housework, and that would leave you more time for work and school. What do you think?"
"I'm not sure," Tohru hesitated, "I don't want to be a nuisance to you by asking you to do the house work. It wouldn't be fair."
"But I'm asking you!" Jenny said, "I'm surprised that you're not sick all the time with so much work to do. It must be stressful. Please- I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage of your or the Sohma's kindness. I just want to do my share. Please? Just for a while?"
Tohru smiled, and nodded, "All right then, if you're really set on it. The extra time would give me more time for school and work. But if you're having any trouble, just tell me all right?"
Jenny nodded, and gave a grin in return. Soon, all of the food was ready, and Jennifer set it out on the table.
"Dinner's ready!" she called into the living room. Shigure, Kyo, and Tohru walked over to where Jenny was standing in front of the closed dining room door.
"Presenting," Jennifer introduced, "a fully balanced and totally American dinner!" With that, she opened the door, and let the others walk in to see the food she had made. There were nice juicy hamburgers for everyone, a large bowl of French fries, a bowl of tater tots, a plate of onion rings, and loads of other American food.
"This looks great, Jeni-kun!" Shigure said, sitting down, "Very well done! You'll have to tell us what all of this is. I can't wait to try it all!"
"Yes, it looks wonderful!" Tohru added, taking a seat as well, " It smells delicious, too! Kyo-kun, why don't you sit down? Don't you want some?"
Reluctantly, Kyo sat down opposite Tohru, but he crossed his arms resolutely and made no move to fill his plate with any of the food Jenny had made. Jennifer gave Tohru a questioning look, and Tohru gave a small sad smile and a shrug in return.
"I'll just hang up my apron," Jenny said, a bit sad that Kyo would not eat her food, and she walked back into the kitchen, untying the strings from around her waist. She closed the door behind her, and turned around to lift the apron over her head, but stopped. There was someone else already in the kitchen.
There was Yuki, standing in the middle of the kitchen, looking thoroughly put out about something. He looked up when Jenny entered the room, and she said "Hello!" quickly.
"Hello, Maiso-san!" Yuki greeted, then he gestured towards the sink of dirty pots and pans, "It appears that I have already missed dinner, haven't I?"
"Oh, no!" Jenny said, "We were just sitting down. I made dinner tonight. I hope you don't mind."
"Not at all," Yuki smiled politely, "I thought the food smelled…different. What did you make?"
"American food. Tohru-kun said she wanted to try some, so I fixed all American foods." Jenny replied, lifting the apron over her head, but it got caught on something- the clip she had used to put her hair up. She tugged it, but felt some hairs part from her scalp. "Ah!"
"Here-" Yuki said, walking over, "Let me help,"
So he reached up and untangled the string from her hair. Jenny blushed, deeply embarrassed, but thanked him just the same, storing the apron away.
"Why don't you come on and eat? I think the others are really liking"
A crash from the dining room interrupted her, and she and Yuki opened the door to see what the commotion was about. Apparently, Kyo had thrown the bowl of French fries at the wall, making it shatter, and sending food everywhere. Shigure was telling Kyo to calm down, but he seemed very angry about something.
"NO! I won't calm down!" Kyo screamed. He heard the door open, and saw Jenny and Yuki in the doorway.
"D-Don't you like the food?" Jenny asked.
"It sucks!" he shouted back, slamming the back door open.
"But- but you really should eat-" she persisted, but he turned around, glaring at her with a scalding look and he cut her off.
"What are you, stupid! I'm not hungry, and even if I was, I would never eat the garbage you served!"
Jenny felt a sharp pain in her chest, and she gasped as though he had slapped her. She didn't know what to say- she was too shocked to do anything. She felt her eyes go wider and wider, until she finally turned away, walking slowly back up to her attic bedroom. I can't believe it…Kyo hates me! I've never had somebody just hate me like that! And Jenny shut the door to her room softly, leaving the others in a very awkward silence.
After Jenny left, Kyo blinked, realizing what he said. But he just looked to the ground, an embarrassed flush creeping up his cheeks.
Yuki merely sat down, taking a plate, and said, "You know, she really did work hard to make this meal for us. What a shame her generosity was met with such unappreciation."
"Shut up!" Kyo responded, walking out of the back door, and disappearing into the darkness.
My two cents: Well, hope you liked it. I'll be sure to post the rest very, very soon. Be sure to review! This is my first Furuba Fanfic!