Disclaimer: This may come as a shock, but I do not own Fruits Basket.
Authors Note: Holy… wows… 23 REVIEWS FOR LAST CHAPTER? That's a record! Wowza… (-More one-word exclamations to come at 2nd Authors Note). Sorry for the late update, my bedroom is undergoing construction…
This Chapter is a shorty! I'm warning you.
Book of the Cat
Chapter 23
Main House, Thursday:
"Come on, Kyo, here's your coat." Hatori called Kyo inside his office and passed him his heavy jacket. Kyo was still very quiet and reserved and quite frankly, Hatori was extremely uncomfortable around such a fragile version of his once lively cousin. He wasn't really sure what else to do to help him. The only thing he could find that remotely cheered him up were these small trips to Shigure's house.
"Let's go to the car." Hatori said over his shoulder, as he walked to the door to open it for Kyo, however when he opened the door, he found someone else standing on the other side.
"Akito," he said, shocked. "What are you doing here?"
Akito walked in with a scowl. Kyo's sleepy demeanor woke up for the first time in days and he took some quick steps back.
"Why are you two wearing coats?" Akito demanded.
"We were just going for a quick walk out on the grounds." Hatori lied quickly.
Akito turned and glared at him. "Don't lie to me! Do you think I'm an imbecile? Do you think that I do not know where you have been going for the past two days? Do you think I'm oblivious to your actions?" He lunged and grabbed Kyo's arm.
"Akito! Leave him alone!" Hatori shouted.
"Do not tell me what to do! I think you two need some time apart… you think you're getting above the law Hatori. You are not the head of this family!" He pulled hard and dragged Kyo to the door. Kyo's frightened eyes darted around the room.
"Akito! What are you doing with him?" Hatori said, running over and grabbing Kyo's other arm.
Akito was outraged that Hatori had tried to defy him this many times. "How dare you! Who do you think you are?"
Hatori froze, realizing at that moment the severity of his actions. He didn't respond.
"Answer me!" Akito screamed, lashing out. He released Kyo and struck Hatori with a powerful kick. Hatori was knocked back into one of the bookcases lining the office. His head smacked into a shelf and several thick books fall on the already sore spot. He was knocked out instantly.
Akito turned to Kyo, who was shaking. "Look what you did!" He screamed at the teen. Kyo shook his head.
"I didn't… I didn't mean it." Kyo shook his head over and over. Akito grabbed Kyo's arm again.
"Come with me, you disgusting monster." He pulled Kyo away and dragged him to a small forgotten, closet upstairs. He pushed Kyo in and bolted the door. "You can stay in here until you can behave yourself."
Akito smirked as he walked away. He loved being in control.
Hatori woke up a few hours later to the shrill ringing of the phone. Books were scattered around him and he was lying on the floor. He suddenly remembered what had happened and he looked around for Kyo. The room was empty. The phone continued to ring. Hatori unsteadily stood up and walked towards his desk as the answered machine began to go off.
"You've reached Hatori Sohma. State your name and message, and I will get back to you." Beep.
"Hey Hatori, it's Shigure… I know this is like the… twelfth time I've called in half an hour… but maybe you can call me back… soon? Or if you're on your way here… then, don't call me back. --"
Hatori grabbed the phone. "Hello?" He winced as a headache surfaced.
"Ah! Hatori! There you are!" Shigure's voice was very loud. The headache intensified.
"Must you be so loud?" Hatori asked dryly.
"Um, well… I was just curious… I thought you and Kyo were coming today?"
"We were." Hatori said, glancing around his office again for any sign of the missing teen.
"Well…" Shigure waited.
Hatori reached up to feel the bump on his head. It was so sore he actually said 'ow' when he touched it.
"Hatori, is something wrong?" Shigure said, a bit of concern slipping through his cheerfulness.
"Well, Akito showed up and now I can't find Kyo."
"WHAT? AKITO?" A new voice yelled on the line.
"What? Who's there? Haru?" Hatori asked, confused.
Shigure's nervous laughter broke through the loud shouting in the background. "Heh… yea, Hatori… I forgot to mention that you're on speakerphone."
Hatori rolled his eyes. "Great." He held the phone against his ear and reached for an ice pack.
Tohru started to speak. "Hatori… do you need any help? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine… just a bump on the head."
"And the baka neko?" Yuki asked, entering the conversation.
"I told you, I don't know where he is."
"That's it, we're coming over…" Haru said.
"No!" Hatori shouted quickly. "Akito's mad. Really mad. He had no problem shoving me into a bookcase just because I was helping Kyo. If you guys come searching for him, I don't know what he'll do. Besides, you're coming home tomorrow. I'm sure Akito will have something planned for Kyo for New Years, as much as I hate to think that. We'll see him then. Please, just don't get yourselves killed right now."
"Hatori," Shigure questioned, "Do you think Kyo is back in the Neko House?"
"What! The Neko House!" Haru yelled. "He was in there before?"
"Shh…" Hatori shushed Haru. "Only for a few days… and no, I don't think Akito would put him in there again."
"Hatori… I swear, if you're lying again…" Yuki said through clenched teeth. "You two are really starting to bug me."
"Now, now Yuki. Be civil." Shigure chided.
"Shut up." Yuki said. Footsteps were heard walking away from the phone.
"Well, Hatori… I guess this means that we'll see you tomorrow." Shigure said.
"Mhmm. Hatori said, pressing against the ice pack to check the size of the bump.
They hung up simultaneously. Both were eager to see tomorrow come, but they were also afraid to see what tomorrow would bring.
Many hours later, the sun rose on a new day.
Friday
"Yay! New Years!" Momiji cheered. "I'm so happy! Another year has passed, and a new one is coming." He turned and pranced around his three companions as they walked along to the Main House.
"Shut up," Haru mumbled. Shigure and Yuki trudged along silently besides them.
"Cheer up!" Momiji yelled. "It's New Years!"
Simultaneous grumbles met his joy.
"We get to have a feast!"
More grumbles.
"With dancing!"
More grumbles.
"And we get to see Kyo!"
Silence. The Main House came into view. Momiji skipped ahead of the other three, eager to get inside. However, his wasn't the only pace that quickened.
"Hatori!" Momiji bounded towards his older cousin. Hatori was outside leaning against a wall smoking a cigarette. Shigure raised an eyebrow.
"Hatori? Why are you outside? New Years is inside!" He smiled
Hatori took a long, last puff of his cigarette before throwing it on the ground and crushing it beneath his shoe.
"Akito's in a foul mood today. I'm just staying out of the way."
Shigure nodded.
"Where's Kyo?" Haru said, getting straight to the point.
Hatori rubbed the bump on the back of his head. "I don't know yet. One of the servants stopped by this morning and told me that Akito will let him 'out' later today. I can only imagine where he is."
Yuki stared at the house, wondering if there was a way to see Kyo without actually going inside. While he was debating, Ayame showed up.
"Yuki! I've waited so long to see you! I've missed you!" He hugged his brother. As Yuki was about to strangle Ayame, he was released. Ayame turned to face Shigure and Hatori.
"Oh Hatori! I heard from Shigure that you received a nasty bump on your head and I am here to nurse you back to health!"
Hatori rolled his eyes. "The best help you can give is being quiet."
"I second that," Yuki agreed.
"It's cold." Momiji added.
"Yes, why are we standing out here?" Ayame questioned.
"Because we don't want to go inside." Yuki answered.
"Hey everyone!" A new voice joined the crowd. Kagura showed up behind everyone with a large, cheerful smile. Hiro and Kisa came along behind her. A pissed-off looking Rin could be seen far behind.
"Hey!" Shigure said, smiling at each of the new additions.
"Why are we standing outside?" Hiro asked in his snotty tone.
"Because the doors are holograms and don't really open." Haru responded sarcastically.
"Hey!" Another voice called. Ritsu.
"Hey Ritsu!" Shigure greeted.
"Why are we standing outside?" Ritsu asked hesitantly.
"Oh, did you forget the key?" Shigure asked.
"What? I was supposed to bring the key? I'm so sorry! I have failed you all! Please forgive me. I shall go get a locksmith and he will open the door! This is my entire fault. I have ruined New Years!" Ritsu ran in circles.
"Calm down," Hatori said, "Shigure's just being himself. The doors unlocked."
"Oh! Thank goodness!" Ritsu nearly collapsed from joy.
"So… if the door's unlocked, why are we still outside?" Kisa asked innocently.
Everyone turned to Hatori, who after a minute finally said. "Because no one wants to go inside."
Several minutes later the group traipsed inside. The door shut behind them. If the group had known what was to happen, they would have stayed outside.
Tohru straightened up the laundry room as she folded the last bits of clothes. This year she was truly alone for New Years, but for some reason, she really did not mind. She needed time to think.
When Uo and Hana had come forth with the information about the Zodiac and the Sohma's she had been so frightened. Yuki and Haru had managed to convince her that she did not cause their sudden revelation, but she still felt a bit guilty. Maybe she had given off a clue or something.
Yuki and Haru also told her that as long as Uo and Hana did not ask any more questions, they'd be fine. They didn't want to get anyone else involved, especially not Hatori and Akito. If they could just dispel the suspicions of the girls, then no one else would need to know.
Tohru was glad that Yuki and Haru were so understanding. She was lucky to have friends like them. She smiled as she made herself a cup of tea. The prospect of a night off, with a good book, seemed very relaxing.
The doorbell rang, interrupting Tohru's thoughts. She stood up and walked over to the entranceway.
"Hello?" She said, opening the sliding door.
Uo and Hana stood in front of her, holding backpacks and sleeping bags. "Yo, room for two on New Years?" Uo said with a smile.
Tohru was taken aback. "What? You two should be with your families!"
"Nah, its cool. We've got permission. And come on Tohru, you are family." Uo said, patting her best friend on the back.
"Do you have any more of that tea?" Hana asked, staring at Tohru's empty mug.
"Um… yea… Let me get you guys some! Put your bags in the living room!" Tohru dashed to the kitchen and Hana and Uo dropped their bags on the floor.
"Ok… so… here goes…" Uo said, staring at Hana. Hana merely nodded.
Authors Note: Yes, shorty chap… the next one should be REALLY LONG… that's why this is short. REALLY LONG.
You all are too kind! I'm afraid though, that if I get too many reviews, I won't have any more room to write you all back!
japanesenutº: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy my story!
Kira Temeki: Haha, sorry about the cliffies!
Winter's Light: Your wish is my command.
Melting snowflake: Your wish is my command.
Animekraze: Ha, okay, update here.
Kenya: Die from cliffhangers! Ooh, I hope not! Then you won't know what happens next!
Star: The "Cat" will be back very soon… He's not through with Kyo yet.
Tailfeather: I'm glad you liked the last chapter! More to come!
Eclipsedlight: The best? You're gonna make me get a swelled head.
Dark Shiki cat: Hi Lexis! I like your new name! Yes, I am mean to Kyo… but I don't think he knows who has the book at all…
SakuraWolf11: I'm glad you're enjoying my story so far! Keep reading!
She who must not be named: Yes, Kyo's in a very hard position right now… don't worry, updates on the way… (sorta).
Fruits Basket Fan: Wow, you referenced my chapters. You know my story better than I do. I had to look up what you were referring to. I'm glad you've got suggestions for me, but I don't think it's going to turn out how you think it is!
Kyo'slittlekittenkisa: Nope, Hatori wasn't told not to come… at least not by Shigure.
Fullma8712: Arisa knew where the book is because she probably saw Kyo store it after they read together on the roof.
Bouncing Shii-chan: I'm glad you liked Tohru's line!
Shadow7272: Make something good happen to Kyo? Does letting him out of the closet next chapter count as 'something good'? I hope so… That's all I got….
Dark Inu Fan: Nope, Shigure didn't call Hatori… he actually didn't have time to, with Yuki and Haru on his back… As you can tell from this chapter, he expected Kyo to show up, too.
Dark-wolf-soulx: Power Rangers would be awesome… I want to be orange… even though there isn't orange. Ha, no, Akito isn't feeding Kyo brussel sprouts; he just locked him in a closet. I love rain, too! I dance in it all the time! (People think dancing in the rain is weird.)
Starship Gazer: Oh so intuitive! Yes, the book/Cat is draining Kyo in a way, but that will be explained a lot more later. Oh, you excited me! Yes, Kyo's mind isn't… really there right now. And if you think its gone now… well… yes.
ShadoWalker: Uo and Hana will be in the next chapter more, don't worry!
The Cheshire Katt: You're right… Quiet Kyo is odd….
FurubaFreak22: You ate my chapter? Oh well, just don't eat the new ones, they're coming out slowly!