Disclaimer: Well, Fruits Basket is on my Christmas list, but just in case I don't get it: "I still don't own it."
Authors Note: IMPORTANT: Ok, so, next Sunday (Christmas, for those who are keeping track) is my Birthday. Yes, I'm going to be 16 as of 4 P.M. on Sunday. Ok, so as far as an update: I'm not sure I'll be able to get one up Saturday or Sunday. I'm aiming for Monday if possible, if not, you might get a really short one sometime during the week. I can't promise anything, and I'm really sorry…but. I'm going to be 16…so… Yay? Ok, enough chatter, enjoy:
Book of the Cat
Chapter 15
Sunday Morning:Kyo didn't know when, but he passed out during Akito's beating and did not wake up until the next morning. He stood up and winced as every party of his body protested his movements. Suddenly, the door to his room slid open, and light filtered into he room. Kyo had to shield his eyes; he had not seen this sort of bright light in days.
One of the main house servants stepped into the doorway. "Akito had requested you wash pup and then join him for breakfast."
Kyo looked at the servant through narrow eyes, but he chose not to say anything and instead walked towards the door. As he approached the servant, he noticed two guards in the hallway to prevent him from escaping. The group escorted Kyo to the bathroom. They gave him instructions.
"You have twenty minutes to use the bathroom to shower and dry off. There is clothing in the bathroom for you to wear until your regular clothing is cleaned. The window inside is alarmed and if you are not ready within the twenty minutes, we will come in and retrieve you. Do you understand?" The guards asked and Kyo nodded.
He turned around and opened the door. A large ornate bathroom came into view. A huge marble tub stood in one corner while a large wall to wall mirror stood opposite of it. A huge window took up an entire other wall with large white billowing curtains. Everything was gold and marble. Kyo was amazed; he had never been exposed to something like this. It made him feel bitter to think that all the other zodiac members had the opportunity to use things like this everyday.
He stripped off his clothes and put on the hot water in the tub. He then grabbed a soft, fluffy towel and sat that right next to the bath. He cautiously put one bruised leg after the other into the hot water. It was a warm welcome for his sore body. He lay in the water for a few minutes, feeling his muscles relax and his body unwind.
After a while, Kyo unplugged the drain and let the water filter out. He stepped out of the tub and used the towel to dry off. He ruffled his hair until it was damp, then stopped at the mirror to examine his appearance.
He had one black eye and several bruises on his face, arms, and chest. There were small cuts along his unbroken arm where Akito had dug his nails into him. Kyo winced at his reflection. One day with Akito and he looked like crap.
He turned and his eye caught a chair with a pile of clothes on it. Kyo walked over and found a black kimono. He frowned. He hated kimonos. He hated all traditional clothing. He never understood how Shigure could wear them. Kyo sighed and put it on anyway. He ran his fingers through his hair to set it in place. The guards started to knock on the door.
"One minute left!" They shouted, and Kyo growled back.
"I'm coming…I'm coming!" He threw the door open and glared. "Happy?" He asked sarcastically. The larger guard slapped him across his face.
"Don't you dare talk to us like that, you piece of dirt."
The other guard kicked Kyo's sore ribs with his heavy boot. "Come on, you imbecile. Akito wants you."
Kyo was gasping for air on the floor, so the large guard picked him up by the forearms. "Move!" He pushed Kyo down several corridors and finally into a small dining room. Akito sat at the head of the table and Hatori sat to his left. A chair on the right side of the table was empty for Kyo. The guard shoved Kyo, then took up post by the door. Kyo took a step forward and Akito growled.
"What took you so long? I thought you had drowned in the shower…not that that would be so bad."
Kyo stood by the table and didn't respond.
"Sit." Akito commanded, and Kyo took the empty seat. Akito turned towards Hatori and smiled. "He is like an obedient little puppy…he still has a few problems, but we'll work those out."
Hatori nodded, but kept his eyes on Kyo. He had so many bruises and this was only his second day here.
A serving woman cam forward and set a large platter of fruits and breakfast foods in front of Kyo. Kyo looked at it eagerly and was just about ready to dive in when he remembered Akito's words from the day before.
"Did you honestly think I'd feed you after your performance last night? Next time you eat, you'd better hope I don't slip anything you are allergic to into your food."
Kyo stopped dead in his tracks and stared at the food suspiciously. Hatori continued to watch Kyo. One minute he had looked ecstatic to be fed; now he looked like he'd rather starve.
Akito noticed Kyo's change in demeanor as well. "What? Why aren't you eating cat?"
Kyo looked up and lied quickly. "Um…I'm not that hungry." His stomach betrayed him by choosing that moment to growl loudly.
Akito's eyes flashed. "What? Is our food not good enough for you? Not enough cassia leaves? Does it not equal that cooking of that girl? Do you think you're better than all of this and you deserve special food?"
Kyo shook his head quickly, but the damage had been dumb. Akito stood up and turned to Hatori. "See, he still has many problems that need to be dealt with… but I'll straighten him out." Hatori nodded but cast his eyes down as Akito slammed his chair back and stepped close to Kyo. His hand snaked around Kyo's forearm.
"Come, let's go back to your room."
Kyo met Akito's gaze and tried to look brave, but on the inside he shook. As Akito escorted Kyo out, Kyo turned and saw Hatori sigh and place his head in his hands. He was just as powerless as Kyo.
Yuki chewed on an apple on the porch. The apple was fresh and crisp like the winter air. A light frost had settled that night and Yuki loved to watch the sun glitter as it reflected off the snow. Yuki continued to watch the snow until a figure in the distance caught his attention. At first Yuki thought it was Tohru, but after a few seconds he noticed the shorter hair and green dress of Kagura. She walked along on the ice to Shigure's house, head down, face buried in a scarf.
When she was within five feet of Yuki, she looked up. Yuki smiled at her.
"Hello, Kagura. If you're looking for Kyo, he's…not here. Didn't you know?" It was only after he said it, that Yuki noticed the absence of the kitty-cat backpack and the way her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Kagura?" Yuki said slowly, "Are you okay?"
She shook her head and sniffled slightly. Yuki opened the door for her and she shuffled inside. Tohru was walking by and instantly recognized the look on Kagura's face. She held her hand. "It's okay, Kagura, we are all scared for Kyo."
Kagura shook her head slightly. "I'm not upset about that… I'm upset because…because…"
Tohru stared at her, "Because what, Kagura?"
Yuki stood by the door, unsure of how to help. Finally he approached Kagura and helped her take off her coat. He then led her to the kitchen where Shigure was already sitting. Tohru joined them, too. Shigure noted the troubled look and Kagura's face and passed her the cup of tea he had made. She brought it to her lips and kept her face on the swirling brown liquid.
Shigure smiled at her encouragingly. "What the matter, Kagura?"
She sniffled and let one syllable fall from her lips. "Kyo."
Shigure nodded. "You're worried about him. Don't be…he'll be…okay."
Kagura shook her head. "I'm not…well, I am worried…but that's not the reason."
Shigure raised his eyebrows. "Why then?"
Tohru and Yuki watched Kagura as she tried to form the words.
"It's just… It's Kyo, and…well…I've always loved him and I think I always will but…seeing what he's done. I usually turn a blind eye and let it slide because it's…Kyo… but he almost killed Yun-chan! And I just don't want to love him…because of what he did. I can't love him because of what he did… but… it just hurts so much. Someone that you've held and cared for… to just be taken from you…it hurts too much."
Shigure nodded as Kagura hid her face behind her hands and began to sob. Yuki felt slightly uncomfortable being brought into the conversation, but Shigure was looking at him, indicating that Yuki should say something. Yuki sighed.
"Kagura, you can still love Kyo. I don't mind, you're not betraying me by loving him. Tohru misses him, too, and I can tell Shigure does as well. It's okay to love him… You're not bothering me by caring about him…okay? So, don't cry…Alright?"
Kagura nodded and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Thank you Yun-chan." She leaved over and gave him a kiss on his cheek. Tohru smiled.
"Kagura, would you like to help me make breakfast?"
Kagura nodded and stood up. She smiled at Shigure and Yuki, and then followed Tohru into the kitchen.
After lunch, Kagura said goodbye to Tohru and Shigure. Yuki helped her put her coat on and walked with her to the tree-lined yard. As they reached the edge of Shigure's property, Kagura turned to Yuki.
"Before…you said that Shii-chan and Tohru miss Kyo, right?"
"Yea." Yuki nodded.
"Do you?"
"Do I what?"
"Do you miss Kyo?" Kagura said quietly.
"Me?" Yuki thought for a minute. "No…not really."
"Oh…" Kagura's head turned down.
"Maybe." Yuki added.
Kagura's head shot up and she smiled. Yuki couldn't help but smile back.
Authors Note: Ok, short, I know. But I haven't had much of a chance to write with Christmas stuff, and Hanukah stuff (I'm Jewish and Catholic). By the way, writing Kyo in the bathtub totally made my day... and YAY! I added in Kagura! I wanted to add her in... I like Kagura when she's not crazy. Anyway, as I said, I'll try to make an update sometime soon. However, I cannot guarantee anything. If I don't get a chance: "Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy New Year, Happy Anything Else." I'll update soon!
And, my loyal reviewers:
Lexis: Are Uo and Hana going to break into the Sohma main house? Well, if they do, I wouldn't tell… wouldn't want to ruin a possible story plot… Ha, you'll just have to wait and see what happens…I'm glad you enjoy my story thus far!
Shizmoo: Yes, Kyo should spill his guts… but, you know, he's not that bright… and he's afraid, he doesn't want to get in trouble. Think of it like a drug, he wants to get away, but he can't, and he doesn't want anyone to know. And I'm glad you think my chapters aren't too short! My fingers thank you!
Shadow7272: Oh no! Nearly cried, you'd better keep tissues next time, in case I do it again! Good at writing? Thanks! Now, if only you can tell that to my European History teacher…
SageWriting: Yes, more angst and tons more to come. It's like angst on top of angst…on top of more angst.
Sesshumarusgirl101: LOL, yea Kyo major yummy-ness. Never talk bad of him…
Fulma8712: I'm glad you asked that. I put Kyo in Yuki's room instead of the cage because I wanted Kyo to be in the torture room, rather than his imprisonment room right now. He might switch rooms later, but for now Akito wants Kyo closer to him. Uo took the book because… Wait, I'm not going to say! That's a story secret that will be revealed later…. Ha…suspense!
Imbrium4: Yea, Akito, don't squash Kyo! It's the bad kitty, not hot yummy Kyo!
Dark Inu Fan: Wouldn't it be so cool if the girls saved Kyo? I keep thinking about how awesome that would be. Girl power! Thank I think of the Spice Girls….and I get a bit scared… but, then I think of Kyo and all is well again. As for the others showing how they follow the legend, yea, we'll see how this affects them and how they react to poor Kyo…
Dark-wolf-soulX: Wow, just thinking about Kyo in eyeliner makes me all warm inside… I seriously have too big of a crush on him. Yes, and Uo has the book… and Kyo wants it. As for Yuki's crayons… I don't know… kids find weird stuff. My little nephews find stuff I lost years ago whenever they come over. Kyo + crayons seems like a kid who'd eat them. I think you'd see Yuki drawing a masterpiece, and then Kyo's got red paper sticking from his lips. No cable in the bad room… Akito's truly evil. Ha, I love your reviews; they are the highlight of any day!
ShadoWalker: Ha, yea, both my sisters are in college and each time they stared they were like "Dude, where am I?" Concentrate on your finals! Study, Study, Study! I'm glad my last chapter took you away from school; hopefully it can help you stay not so stressed with the exams!
Narutofreak22: Yea, poor Kyo. I hope everyone will be able to forgive him too… If I want them to… Depends if I have him tell them or not… evil laugher I mean, cough... You'll just have to wait and see….
And to my silent readers: Speak up! And Happy Holidays!