Memories
By: HeavenlydemonxXxo

Yo yo yo. I can't and wont own Fruits Basket.

Flowers in hand, she steadily opened the door. The patient seemed to be asleep. She quietly closed the door and set the flowers on the table. As she sat down, the chair creaked. Wincing, she hoped that Aki didn't hear. But the patient peeked open her eye.

"Kumiko?"

"Yes?"

Aki sighed. "I'm glad you came..."

She didn't know how to say the truth. "Aki... I can't lie to you.. Do you know who hit you?"

"Ahaha. Yeah. It's pretty ironic. But your parents hit me."

"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I'm sorry that this would happen to you." Kumiko cried.

Aki turned her head and looked at her. "It's ok, Kumiko. It's not your fault. Things like this happen. Just a mistake." She reached out her hand and grabbed onto Kumiko's. "Aha. It was pretty stupid of me. I was returning those movies, since they were already overdue. I shouldn't have gone to return them at night."

"Will you forgive us?" Kumiko whimpered out.

"I'm telling you, it's not your fault at all. I think I did worse. I overheard that your parents were in bad condition. Ha, if they died, what a burden that would be on me. And how sad it would make me feel. But how much worse you would feel."

She burst out sobbing.

"Cry as much as you want. It'll make you feel better." Aki shivered. "I'm tired. Just promise to visit me tomorrow." She smiled. She turned around and lapsed into deep sleep. Quietly, she murmured, "Don't forget me."

Still sobbing, she patted Aki with all wishes that she wouldn't die. She creeped out and went back to her parents' room, who were still unconscious.

Break ended. School was back in session. Kyou wandered through the hallways mindlessly. A heavy depressed aura surrounded him. He came back to life for a second when someone bumped into him.

"Sorry. Excuse me." Kumiko murmured.

He watched her walk away, then kept going in the direction he was going. He abruptly halted when a mob of girls stomped past him.

"KUMIKO!" one shrieked. The high intensity of her voice pissed him off. "I heard that Aki is dead! And I heard that you were involved! I knew that there was something wrong with you, but now I know why."

"Hn." was all she said.

"Do you not care? You evil witch!" They slapped her.

She didn't move, cringe or wince. The mob became irritated by her attitude, and rushed at her. Suddenly, she lifted her fist and punched through the window, shattering it. The raindrops from outside started pouring onto her. The other girls screamed in surprise, running away while yelling that she was a dangerous yankee. Blood dripped down her arm. She slowly let it down and kneeled down to clean up the glass and red water.

"There's a rumor that you killed someone..." said some guy as he caught up with Kumiko.

"..."

"Is it true?"

"..."

"...Is it?"

"What do you think?" she finally said.

"Well, I hardly know you."

"So you assume?"

"No, that's why I'm asking you."

She pushed him to the wall. "You know what? If you don't know me so very well, don't assume."

"Why you little!" he shouted.

Someone put a finger on the guy's forehead and pushed. "Think about your own life before you disturb someone else's."

Kumiko turned to see who it was. "Yuki-kun..."

The guy ran away. "How are you doing?"

"Why did you do that?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you help me?"

Silence fell as they walked down the street.

He smiled at her. Then the smile went away. "Along time ago, there was a time when I was playing with my friends. But then a girl tripped and fell on me. Soon everyone saw that I turned into a rat. They stood still in shock. So someone had to erase their memories. After that, they never became my friends again. I guess it kind of relates to your situation right now. People are spreading bad rumors about you, so you'll lose the people that were your friends."

"...That's really comforting..." she said with sarcasm, rolling her eyes. But she laughed after. "I appreciate it. We haven't known each other for a long time, but you still took the courage to defend me. That's what counts." Silence fell again. "I didn't kill Aki."

"I know." They both stopped.

"Do you want to come to her funeral?"

"I barely know her though..."

"Well you should pay her respect. It's this Saturday. And bring Kyou too."

Kumiko started walking ahead and turned left. Yuki stood there, alone. Someone splashed him. He turned around.

"Stop taking up space, you stupid rat." scowled Kyou.

"Says the worthless cat."

"ARE YOU CHALLENGING ME?"

"Shut up. And we're going to a funeral. So try to buy better clothes."