When I woke up in the morning, Kisa was still asleep. I smiled, she looked so at peace. I slowly slipped out of bed, not wanting to wake her, and headed down stairs to find something to eat. No one else seemed to be awake, so when I casually glanced at the calendar, there was no one to see me do a bit of a overdramatic double take. The days were crossed out all the way up until… December first. Today. Fantastic…
I heard the door slide open and Kyo walked in, looking sweaty and breathing a little hard. "What are you doing up?" he asked, looking a little surprised.
"Why wouldn't I be?" I had no clue what he was talking about.
"It's like, six-thirty. And a weekend," he said.
"Really?" I glanced at the clock. "Damn. Normally I'm almost as lazy as Yuki."
"Got that right. Kisa still sleeping?" he asked, and I nodded. He stood over me to see into the refrigerator, and I got a huge smell of sweaty guy.
"Oh dear god, you sir, need a bath because you smell really bad. And there's also the fact that you're covered in sweat and I don't want you dripping sweat everywhere, namely on me," I said, since he was standing over me, and there seemed to be a large possibility of that happening. He raised an eyebrow at me.
"Don't worry, I'll be very careful," he said stepping closer as I cringed away. "Not to get any on you."
"No, no, no! Gross guy sweat! Back!" I said, unsuccessful in trying to find an un-sweaty part of him to push away.
"I'm getting back, I'm getting back," he said, only scooting closer. I tried to duck away but he oh so casually put his hand on the counter, trapping me.
"No! You're so gross!" I said pushing at his chest, and it wasn't hard to feel the muscles. "Nasty-ness! Go pick on someone your own size! And if you haven't noticed, I'm a about head shorter than you, so shoo!" Of course he didn't shoo. Instead he bent down and picked me up, so my head was even with his, and I was being touched by him and all his sweaty-ness, as I began frowning. I heard footsteps coming downstairs. "If whoever's coming downstairs would save me, that would be fantastic!" The footsteps came faster and I had a good idea of who it was. "Ooh, you're in trouble…" I said childishly, grinning at Kyo as Yuki appeared.
"What's. Going. On?" he said, sounding pretty pissed and really tired.
"Kyo is harassing me."
"What!?" Luckily for Kyo, there was a knocking at the door.
"I'll get it," Yuki said, aware that I was still a little indisposed at the moment. "Hi."
"Uh, is Arisu here?" I heard an awkward accent that I knew and loved.
"Lemme go!" I shouted at Kyo, squirming out of his arms. "Tessa!"
"Ari!" I saw Tessa run past Yuki and we both hugged each other.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, switching to English since my English was better than her Japanese.
"Seeing you for your birthday, silly! And may I ask, who is that dashing young man at the door?" she asked raising an eyebrow.
"Don't bother. He's not you're type," I said, and she frowned. "That's Yuki Sohma, and this is his cousin Kyo Sohma."
"Uh, what's goin' on?" Kyo said, attractively wandering in from the kitchen still all sweaty with toast hanging out of his mouth.
"And you told me to have some shame. Kyo and Yuki, this is my cousin, Tessa Maslin. She lives in the US, so feel free to say anything you like, because she'll understand very little of it," I said with a smile. Yuki held his hand out to her with a smile.
"Hello," he said simply, as she shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you," she said, and I could tell she'd been working on her Japanese. Kyo waved and headed back into the kitchen. "Are there any other sexy men I should know about?"
"Um…"
"What is all the racket? Honestly, it isn't even- oh hello. Arisu, who's this?" Speak of the devil…
"Shigure, this is my cousin Tessa Maslin, and she came to visit. She's from the US, so her Japanese isn't too good. Tessa, this is Shigure Sohma, he's also Yuki's cousin."
"Nice to meet you," Tessa repeated, shaking his hand, and Shigure nodded.
"Well, if you don't mind, I believe I'll be headed back to bed," he said, disappearing.
"So now you live in a house full of sexy men? You lucky little bitch! I hate you!" Tessa said continuing to look around.
"Don't touch anything. I'm going to get some breakfast."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever."
I found Kisa as I was heading towards the kitchen.
"Hey sweetie. Sorry if we woke you up. You hungry?" I asked, and she gave a small nod.
"Does cereal and some toast sound good? It seems like that's all we have at the moment." She gave another small nod. I got her out some food and set her a place at the table. "Here, let me take your braids out," I said, sitting behind her and taking out the little rubber bands and taking apart the strands.
"Well, who is this?" Tessa said, popping up behind me, and I saw her getting that look on her face when she really loved something; this something being Kisa.
"Calm yourself, this is Kisa Sohma. She's a little jumpy and doesn't really talk, so don't scare her," I warned her. "Kisa, this is my cousin Tessa Maslin. She's come to visit for my birthday," I said, figuring it wouldn't matter if Kisa knew it was my birthday since I didn't have to worry about her telling anyone.
"It's your birthday?" Shit… Of course someone hears me.
"Yeah," I said to Kyo, not really wanting to make anything of it.
"Well you shoulda told someone. We could've done something," he said, frowning at me.
"Well I didn't really want to. I never like to do anything for my birthday, why should now be any different?" I said as Tessa sat down and began undoing braids with me, seeing as she was lost on what we were saying.
"Why don't you like doing things for your birthday?" Kyo asked, coming to sit with us. Tessa and I finished taking out Kisa's braids and I ran my fingers through her hair. It looked really nice.
"Oh my goodness! Tell her that I say she's looks so super adorable!" Tessa said.
"Tessa says you look really pretty," I told Kisa, and she gave Tessa a small smile. We both hugged her at the same time.
"Oh my gosh you're adorable!" Tessa and I said.
"You're avoiding the question," Kyo pointed out.
"Avoiding what question?" Yuki said, wandering back in.
"Nothing!" I quipped. "I'm going to go shopping. Tessa do you want to come?"
"Sure."
"Kisa, I'll be right back sweetie. I'm going to do some shopping real quick. Love you! Bye guys!" I said, kissing the top of Kisa's head and grabbing Tessa as she was putting her shoes on and hurrying out before anyone could say anything.
"Well you're in a hurry," Tessa commented as we walked along.
"Well we have almost no food and its pretty cold outside, so yeah I'm in a hurry. Where's Uncle Zack and Aunt Emiko?"
"Doing a little sightseeing."
"How'd you even find me here?" I asked. I doubted Mom would know, much less tell; she didn't care enough to bother finding out, as long as I'm out of her hair than hallelujah.
"Well, I went to Aunt Ankoku's house, and no one was there, so I called Maiko, and I managed to get the point across that I was looking for you, and she told me where to find you," she said. She looked on edge for a moment, but the expression quickly vanished. Of course it was Maiko. "Where are we going, anyway?"
"There's a little market just down the street from here," I answered. "How long are you staying here?"
"Two weeks," Tessa answered, looking happy. "Oh, is that it?" she said, pointing to the little store that was nestled on a curb next to an antique shop.
"Yeah, let's go," I said, and we crossed the street and entered, escaping the cold breeze. We got inside, and I instantly tensed. "Hey Tessa, could you, uh, go over there and grab some milk? I think we used it all up this morning. I'll go over here and get the rest. Wait for me over there," I said, making sure to send her as far away as I could from that vile woman. I watched as Tessa nodded, not questioning me and walked away. I kept an eye on the both of them; carefully slipping between aisles, occasionally grabbing something and tossing it in the basket I'd grabbed. I'd only looked away for just a moment.
"Hi honey," she said in her nauseatingly sweet voice. "What are you doing here?"
"Sh-shopping," I stuttered, not turning to face her.
"Look at your mother when she's talking to you," she commanded, grabbing my jaw, but it was closer to grabbing my throat, and turning me to look into her soulless eyes. "Isn't that better?"
"Yes," I automatically squeaked, knowing you never told her 'no.'
"Where on Earth have you been sweetie? I've been worried about you," she said, taunting me.
"W-with my f-friends," I answered weakly.
"You couldn't mean that terrible boy who took you away, could you?" she said, sounding concerned but her face was devoid of any emotion, except for maybe boredom.
"Yes, mother," I answered, using every bit of courage in myself to say it. Even so, I felt like a small, insignificant fly trapped in a spider's web. I felt like curling into a ball right there on the floor and just sitting there, trying to calm my heart and my breath.
"Well don't you worry a fake hair on your little head; mother is here to take you home now. Come along," she ordered, taking the basket filled with random stuff and setting it down, grabbing my hand and dragging me with her like a toddler being led across the street.
"W-wait. Mother, I-I don't-"
"Don't worry dear, you'll be safe now," she said, and I could hear the malice in her voice. I looked around for Tessa but couldn't find her.
"M-mother, no, I can't-"
"What was that?" By this time we were outside of the store, and a few feet down the sidewalk toward home. "No, you say? No? Well, we'll just have to fix that, won't we?"
I almost began hyperventilating. She had a vice-like grip on my wrist, making me glad the wounds had healed. I walked along, not sure what to do. It's not like I could attack her; she's my mother. If I called for help, she'd just brush off the people, saying I'm just a teenager being a teenager. I didn't have my cell phone. Tessa would be worrying right about now, and her Japanese isn't very good. I am completely screwed, but better me than Tessa and me both. Tessa didn't know about the beatings; neither did her parents even though her mom is my mother's sister. If Tessa got hurt, it would be all my fault.
We were almost to the house, I could see it down the street; it's spotty brown sides with off-white trimming. I could feel my eye brimming with tears at the site of it, but I wouldn't cry; I wouldn't show weakness in front of her. Not this time. She dragged me inside then threw me down, and I barely caught myself, somehow not cutting myself on the scattered glass.
"Now start cleaning," she ordered, going and grabbing a large bottle of whiskey. I grabbed the broken broom and started sweeping, trying to appease her for the time to figure out how to get out of here. I'd swept the hallway and was starting on the living room, moving a couch to get under, when I found something that wasn't glass. It was a picture.
It was one of the one's I'd told Yuki and Kyo about; the ones that I'd hidden all over the house where only I would know where they were. It was a pencil drawing of a black rose, but blue petals were falling off, and as they were falling, there were small tears falling off of them. I quickly and carefully folded the drawing in half and put it in my pocket before mother noticed me slacking. I finished sweeping and put the broom away, and headed to the kitchen where my mother was sitting with the whiskey bottle which was already mostly empty.
"Well, what are you waitin' for? Make dinner!" she shouted, not quite drunk yet. She'd been drinking too long to let one, measly bottle of whiskey inebriate her. I went and hurried to make something she'd like, all the while looking out the windows, looking for anything to give me an idea. I doubted I could just sneak out; she'd be up most of the night drinking. I could try to sneak a phone call in. It would have to be really quiet, and she'd have to be really drunk; but it might just work.
I waited until night; it was almost eleven. Mother was shouting at the television, something about moving over so she could see. I ran into the kitchen and grabbed the phone, pressing my hand over the speaker to muffle the beeps ad I punched in numbers. It rang twice.
"Hello?" Shigure's voice answered. I heard my mother's footsteps coming this way.
"Tell Kyo he needs to be a hero again!" I said, quickly setting the phone down.
I hoped it was enough.
Kyo…
"Hello? Hello? Ari? Huh, lost connection."
"Ms. Takahashi called? Is she okay?" Yuki asked, concern on his face.
"Did she say where she was?" Kyo asked, abruptly standing up.
"Well, not exactly-"
"Well what the hell did she say then!?" Kyo shouted, getting more pissed by the second.
"She said that you need to be a hero again."
He didn't know what that meant. Be a hero again? How the hell am I a hero? He wasn't exactly the hero type. Then he realized what she meant.
"Fuck!" he sprinted outside, running as fast as he could, and heard the damn rat running behind him; even though he didn't know where he was headed, he just kept right behind him.
They reached her mom's house in a matter of minutes, and Kyo kicked the door down, not caring if it was unlocked. He heard a small yelp.
"Ari!" He ran towards the sound. Ari was on the ground holding her cheek while her mother stood above her, hand still extended from hitting her. Yuki and him ran to her. "Shit! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she said, but he could hear her voice trembling.
Ari…
"How dare you," I heard Yuki say, and it honestly scared me. Every one of his muscles were flexed, looking like he was doing his best not to murder my mother. It was a nice gesture. "How dare you lay a hand on her. Just because you are wallowing in your own self-pity doesn't mean you have any right to touch her. And I swear, if you ever touch her, or give me any reason to think you'll hurt her, again, I will come here and I will personally kill you," he said, totally serious.
"Come on. Can you walk okay?" Kyo asked, grabbing my hand and helping me up. I nodded and wiped tears off my face, wincing when I brush my cheek, and I could tell I'd have a bruise by tomorrow morning.
"I wonder what Tessa will think," I mused out loud.
"What?" Kyo looked at me with total disbelief, then he gave a short laugh. "Of course you'd be thinking about that right now," he said with a small smile.
"Are you okay Ms. Takahashi? Are you hurt?" Yuki asked, coming out behind us, frowning and looking pissed and on edge at the same time.
"I'll be fine," I reassured him, and he sighed.
"What are you doin' here anyway?" Kyo asked.
"I guess I was kind of voluntarily kidnapped," I said, not sure how to put it.
"You wanted to go with her?" Kyo said, sounding like he was about to get mad.
"No! No, but, it was like I was a lunatic in a straightjacket. I couldn't think, and, and I-I was scared and-"
"You don't have to talk about it. All that matters is that you're okay now, and we won't let her hurt you," Yuki said, reassuring me this time. I pulled them both in for a hug at the same time; partly just to calm my nerves.
"Thanks you guys. For being my superheroes." I could see them both blushing a little when I let them go, and I smiled. We all walked back home, trying to calm our nerves. I saw a familiar black and white head when I walked in.
"Haru? What are you doing here?"
"Nothing. How'd you get that nasty bruise?"
"Punched in the face," I answered simply, and his eyes widened a little.
"Damn. That looks like it really hurt."
"Tell me about it," I said, kind of glad he was being so casual about it.
"Sissy!" Kisa practically threw herself into my arms.
"Kisa! Oh my god! Kisa!" I said, not sure what to say, as I held her, stroking her hair.
"Are you ok?" she asked, sounding like she was about to cry.
"Oh, don't worry sweetie! I'm fine. I just had a little accident," I said, and noticed Haru smiling. "Excuse me, sir; did you plan on mentioning this?"
"Possibly."
I rolled my eyes at him. "Where's Tessa?"
"You mean the girl who was panicking and could barely manage so say anything I could understand? She headed home a while ago. At least I'm pretty sure she said home," Haru said, relaxed as always. I felt a peck on the back of my head and turned around to see Shigure.
"Happy birthday kiss!" He was promptly slapped. Haru got up, heading somewhere while I sat down with Kisa.
"We gotcha something," Haru said, returning.
"Huh?"
"Ta da," he said opening a box with a cake inside.
"We would have made you one, but we didn't really know how," Yuki said with a small smile.
"Yeah, and we didn't want to mess it up, and your cousin said this was your favorite, so..." Kyo said with a shrug.
"Do you like it, Sissy?" Kisa asked, looking at me with wide eyes.
"I more than like it, I love it!" I said, giving her a hug.
"So she gets a hug when we bought the cake?" Haru asked, raising an eyebrow at me, which I returned.
"Jealous, much?" He shrugged. "Okay guys, group hug again! Everybody this time," I said pulling everyone in; even Shigure joined us. "You know what guys? I noticed we've done a lot of hugging lately."
"Hugs can heal the soul," Shigure commented.
"Yes, I believe they can."
"Birthday kiss," Haru said, quickly kissing me on the forehead, and hurrying to leave before he could get punched. Kyo and Yuki both sighed.
"Happy birthday," they said, simultaneously kissing my on the cheeks, and I could feel a bright red blush creeping onto my face.
I've began to realize one thing: yes, our little group is very dysfunctional; yes, we don't always play nice with each other; and yes, we make mistakes, quite a lot of them. But we're family, and we have each other. And that's all that matters.
Oh my Satan, sorry for taking so long guys! Was it a long time? It felt like a long time to me. I don't even know when exactly I updated this story last. Too many stories and too many updates to keep track of. So, something pretty awesome happened! SOMEONE DREW ARI FOR ME! AAHHH! It's so good! It was done by LoverXxofxXReading! She's the best! Here is the link:
art/Arisu-and-Hikaru-334325866
I think you guys will love it! I know I did! Serious props and thanks for LoverXxofxXReading! I'm still willing to have other people draw her; I'd love to see all your interpretations! And by the way, I've always had link-issues, so if you can't get to it, just go to my profile page and I have a link there as well!
Oh, and to respond to some of your reviews, I'm doing this mostly from the anime but one part later will be from the manga but you don't need to worry about it if you haven't read it; the scene is very self-explanatory. And could you guys go check out the poll on my page? It's for this story, so VOTE! And there's one more thing I need to discuss: If you are going to write 'more' in a review, please don't spell it M-O-A-R. Seriously? It's the same amount of letters; it's not that hard people! Sorry, it's just a serious pet peeve of mine. So please read, review, and spell 'more' correctly! ;) ~Stormy:3