Disclaimer: Hey guys, I hope you're all enjoying my fic. I put in some more Kei, for whoever did request it. Send me Love! I don't own FB.
I'm very sorry for not updating sooner, but I've got a lot of commitments, job, school, marching band. It's hard to grab a free moment.
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Chapter 9
"What for, is something wrong?" He asked quietly.
"Nothing's wrong, I just have something I need to tell you," Tohru smiled. This lie hurt...it hurt her more than ever.
Kyo frowned and stopped walking, they were only a few hundred feet from the front of the house. She stopped, rather surprised, and looked up at him with a confused face. He cuffed her cheek and stared at her, his strong eyes made her nervous.
"Tohru, I know something's wrong. You promised to talk to me more about what was bothering you," he stated quietly, rubbing his thumb over her cheek, "What's really bothering you?"
Tohru teared lightly, resting her hand against his, trying to smile. "Kyo, I'm worried, umm...KyoAkitoknowswe'retogetherandthatI'mbackandthatClaritycamebacktoo!" She whimpered very quickly.
Kyo paused, then blinked, then paused again. "Yeah okay, I'm sorry but I have no idea what the hell you just said." Kyo frowned again when he saw tears fall from her eyes, "Hey don't cry!" he screamed desperately, "What the hell is wrong?"
"Oh Kyo, everything is not fine. Akito knows!" Tohru screamed, covering her eyes and sinking to her knees. "He knows all about me coming home, about Clarity, about you and me. Kyo I don't want you to get hurt!" she screamed into her hands.
Kyo felt the blood leave his face, the color too, as he dropped to his knees and comforted her gently. "When did he find out?"
"The day everyone came to visit, he brought a fruit basket," She cried, looking up into her eyes, "Kyo I'm scared." Tohru let out a surprised squeak when she felt him pull her into his chest, he felt so warm, even for that short moment. She scooped up the small cat and held him close.
I will never let anything hurt you ever again. I promise.
Tohru got up off the ground and walked inside. All the boys were already on the couches, watching television, and looked up at her as she sniffed lightly and tried to stop crying. Momiji ran and got Shigure, because Tohru kept moving her lips and nothing was coming out. Haru flinched on the couch, Tohru was acting exactly as Kisa had.
Shigure ran into the room, almost falling over, glasses sliding off his nose and pen still in his hand. "Goodness, what's going on?" When he saw Tohru he frowned, "Flower, what's wrong?"
Tohru looked at him, her lips moving, wording out – 'Akito knows...' again and again. Her heart broke, thus the silence of her voice, she could not bare to say those words aloud. Tohru always feared she would have her memories erased, but if she did now, after nearly two years, how could she expect to live?
Shigure walked up to her, Kyo jumping out of her arms as Shigure ran his hands through his beautiful daughter's hair. "Please darling, calm down, I need to hear your beautiful voice again."
"Please..." she gasped lightly, "Don't get hurt..." Tohru trembled on the spot, not even noticing Kyo transforming in the background or changing. "Dad...what if he hurts the Sohmas...I wouldn't forgive myself if that happened..."
Shigure frowned, he never liked seeing his flower upset like this. Though Shigure was a very laid back man, acting much younger than his years, he felt a stern frown fall upon his face like a foreign fly.
"Tohru I need you to listen to me," his voice serious but gentle as she looked up at him with tears and pouts, "Nothing will happen to us." Tohru opened her mouth to protest but Shigure held his right index finger to her lip. "Darling, we've been through so much. I have faith that anything Akito throws at us shall be conquered."
Shigure then cuffed her face with his hands and kissed her forehead gently, afterwards resting his forehead against the top of her chocolate hair. "Tohru, I don't think I've told you enough how much I love you precious flower. I will fight to the end to keep you with us, don't ever forget that."
Tohru enjoyed the warmth that Shigure gave her. She knew deep down how much he yearned just to hold her and she herself wished for it too. But she smiled, tears brimming her closed eyes as she thanked Kami for this new family and life. After Tohru had ceased her tears she disappeared into the kitchen, starting on the dinner for everyone so she would have time to get all of her homework and adequate amounts of studying done. Tohru's black eye was practically gone, she was chopping carrots in the kitchen when Kyo took Haru up onto the roof.
"Are you going to preach to me about Tohru?" Haru asked quietly, hugging his knees as he watched the sky become tinted with red as the sun started its decent to night.
"No, I just wanted someone to talk to." Kyo was hugging his knees too, Kyo had always feared Akito to a degree; being the cursed cat and all, but what he had discovered today scared him the most. "Do you think Akito will hurt Tohru?"
Haru was quiet for a while, blinking only occasionally as he tried to find the right words. "Akito will use us because we are so dear to her. Its like killing two birds with one stone, a feast of pain all for himself to feed off of."
"But what about the memories, I mean after all Tohru has done and gone through, would Hatori...would Hatori still do it?" Kyo questioned quietly. He was rather fearful of the answer Haru might give, but decided to add more before Haru could answer. "I mean, two years being erased in her life? That's too much, it wouldn't work right. Hatori cares about her right?"
Haru leaned back until he landed with a thud onto the roof. "Look, I don't know Kyo. None of us do. We are Sohmas, we are cursed people. Kyo bad things will happen to us, they will the rest of our lives, that's just the fate we have to accept."
"But I don't believe that!" Kyo shot back at him in a desperate shout. "Tohru was not a bad thing! She isn't a bad thing. She was the best thing to ever happen to us Haru!"
"And yet look at all the pain that came because of her; her injuries, our injuries, we even hurt each other. I'm not saying she herself is bad, but with her came bad. Cursed. That's all we have," Haru explained, "If I hadn't been cursed I wouldn't have Black Haru, then I never would have hurt Tohru..."
There was a long silence between them; both taking time to reminisce about Tohru in their own ways. Both could hear the faint sound of Tohru humming below them, her voice carried like it danced with the wind. The sky was now a deep orange and red, the last of the day was dying. Haru couldn't say anything to truly justify what he had done to Tohru, true he had not tried to rape her like the last time, but still, he had hurt her and broken a trust that they had shared like real blooded siblings.
"TOHRRRUUUUU I'm hungry!" Momiji moaned as he jumped around her watching her stir a pot. Yuki was setting the table for Tohru and she smiled at him.
"It's almost done Momiji I promise. It's nice not to have work, everyone gave me off until the exams are done. Momiji your poor dad thought I was going to collapse right there at work, he insisted. You have to thank him again for me," Tohru smiled, continuing to stir and she hummed under her breath.
"Tohru what are you singing?" Momiji asked innocently, tugging on her sleeve as he listened to her sweet voice.
"Hmm? Oh, its just a song I picked up one day. I don't really remember where from exactly, most likely from an anime I watched with Kisa I bet..." Tohru laughed lightly,
"Win dain a lotica
En val tu ri
Si lo ta
Fin dein a loluca
En dragu a sei lain
Vi fa-ru les shutai am
En riga-lint
Win chent a lotica
En val turi
Silota
Fin dein a loluca
Si katigura neuver
Floreria for chesti
Si entina
Lalala…
Fontina Blu Cent
De cravi esca letisimo
Lalala…
De quantian
La finde reve
lalala...
Win dain a lotica
En vai tu ri
Si lo ta
Fin dein a loluca
En dragu a sei lain
Vi fa-ru les shutai am
En riga-lint
"Tohru that was really pretty! What does it mean Tohru?" Momiji piped as she handed him cups to place on the table.
"It's something like: In the darkness the dragon wakes. The dragon awakens. To a heart that is numbed with cold the dragon takes. With you at my side the dragon sleeps. On dragon wings your wishes will leap. Your wishes can bring forth a destructive future...la la la la la or you can bring salvation. In the darkness the dragon wakes. The dragon awakens. To a heart that is numbed with cold the dragon takes."
"That's a rather peculiar song don't you think Tohru?" Yuki questioned with a slight smile on his face, "Surely strange if you can't remember where you've heard it from," Yuki added. Tohru was starting to pour the stew into the dishes for everyone and Yuki sent Momiji off to get Shigure and the others.
"You know we haven't talked in a long time just ourselves right Yuki?" Tohru smiled cheerfully as she finished dividing equal amounts of stew for everyone. "But because of you I'm a little more reassured about the finals. I'm really in your debt."
"Don't feel you always have to repay me Tohru, its just something we do for the people we care about, we help them out. Besides, you got so sick because you worried yourself so much, I want to help lessen the load for you," Yuki explained as he got her to sit down next to him at the dinner table.
"I didn't mean to get sick, I'm almost grateful I did though, somehow crashing gave me a fresh new start. I've taken off from work until exams are over and Momiji is convincing me more and more to try take out food," Tohru laughed lightly. "I'm so embarrassed, crying earlier like I did." Tohru blushed lightly and adverted her gaze to her hands, trying not to be that embarrassed for Yuki to see.
Yuki frowned lightly and sat down beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder as comfort. "Look Tohru, I'd tell you not to worry about us but deep down I'm just as worried as you. Akito is a crazy man, he will do whatever he so desires. I just don't want you to give up hope before anything even happens."
Tohru nodded her head slowly, staring at her fingers, "I won't give up hope, Mom wouldn't want me to do that. I want you and all the Sohmas to be really happy. That's my promise Yuki, I'll make the Sohmas happy."
"But we are happy Tohru!" Momiji piped, who had reemerged in the room in time to pick up on Tohru's promise and jumped into her lap. "You've made us very happy."
Yuki smiled and stroked the top of Tohru's head and nodded, "I agree with Momiji, we are very happy compared to two years ago. We can only keep growing in joy."
Tohru smiled, a warm feeling flowing through her that only the sincerest kindness can bring. "So, Yuki, Momiji, are you two going to the end of the year dance? It's almost like a party for everyone not graduating, our sempais have their own special ceremony."
"I'm going I'm going!" Momiji piped in her arms, arms raised as he kicked his little legs with happiness. "Yuki is going too, because he is our president! Tohru are you coming?"
Tohru nodded, strands of her chocolate hair swaying across Momiji's gleeful face, "Yes but of course; Uo and Hana insisted I come and it's the perfect way to use the gracious give Ayame gave me."
Yuki smiled softly, his eyes shimmered and told everyone how happy he was Tohru was coming. The feelings for her had never faltered, but merely been kept in check; preventing him from doing anything that might upset her or Kyo. At that moment of his mental faltering, Kyo and Haru walked in from the backdoor, rubbing their arms from the cold of the autumn day.
Kyo pecked Tohru's cheek, making her blush, and sat down on her left the one opposite of Yuki's who sat at her right. Haru, who had all been very quiet since his talk with Kyo, stared and lingered in the doorway for a moment then disappeared back outside. Tohru picked up on the sound of a motorcycle and then the sound fading out.
Together the four Sohmas, yes Tohru included as a Sohma, ate their soup quietly until Shigure arrived later on; complaining he was stuck with the most horrible writer's block anyone could imagine. Tohru sympathized with him and the others simply rolled their eyes. After dinner the Sohmas scattered each to their own independent duties; Tohru and Kyo doing homework in the kitchen, Momiji supposedly finishing his homework but in reality was playing video games, and Yuki up in the solitude of his room working on student government duties.
Tohru, who was quizzed by Kyo for over two hours, began to loose focus as she watched the grandfather clock's hands move by as time passed. She sighed, would get a problem wrong, and then return to watching the clock as she tried to listen to Kyo. Kyo already knew what Tohru was thinking, he put down the pile of flash cards and held her jacket out for her.
She looked up at him and he rolled his eyes, "I know you want to know where Haru is, lets go find him. I swear though, if we don't find him before nine we're coming home; I will not let you get sick again with the final tomorrow!"
"Thank you Kyo!" She squeaked, throwing on her jacket and taking Kyo's hand as they walked out the door. They walked together hand in hand under the light illuminated from the lamps overhead. "Kyo, do you know where he actually is?"
"I've known Haru for years, he probably got lost, he's got no sense of direction. He's probably reading a city map right now or he's at the park," Kyo huffed, he'd always led Haru around, it was follow the leader twenty four seven.
After scouring the city for an hour or so Kyo brought Tohru to the park. The two decided to split up; Kyo stalking off to the right calling out for Haru while Tohru took the left, calling for him every five or six steps. She wove between bushes looking high and low for Haru. I do hope Haru is okay, he didn't eat dinner, I hope I didn't do anything that made him angry.
Tohru came to a small playground like area and smiled. Uo, Hana, and Tohru had visited and hung out here on the swings after school through most of junior high. She walked by the see-saws, running her hand over the cold rusted steel. Her ears picked up on the wind blowing, the chains that held the swings together were swinging gently, squeaking with the need for oil. The sounds of boots brushing up the loose wood chips that were sprinkled on the ground made Tohru turn around. Her eyes found white hair, Haru sitting with his back to her on the swing, head and eyes up towards the stars with his hands coiled around each metal support chain.
Somehow, the simplicity, the innocence of the night and the calmness of the dying autumn made Haru seem so content. He blended in with his surroundings so well, like a lost lover in the rain, the perfect piece to an always unfinished puzzle. The swing seat beside Haru's sagged only briefly as she sat down beside him in silence. Haru looked up at her; her beautiful teal eyes gleaming with the moonlight and stars. (A/N: In the anime version she has teal eyes).
"You came out here by yourself to find me?" Haru asked quietly, his voice was a little horse and gruff, his hands tightening their grip on the chains.
Tohru shook her head, "Nope, Kyo took me out to find you. He must've noticed how upset I was, I hope I haven't burdened him." Her gaze left the moon's to meet Haru's. "Haru, is something wrong, because if you have a problem you can always tell me! I'll work really hard to help you in anyway possible!" Tohru added in a hurry, raising a fist in determination that somehow didn't quite match the genki smile on her face.
Haru smirked, somehow the bubble air-head he thought of as a sister had found him yet again. He reached out and stroked the top of her head. "You just got over being sick and you're out on a late autumn night, silly Tohru. I've just been...thinking about some stuff," his hand stopped caressing her head, "I'm sorry...for hurting Kira like I did. I know I haven't talked about it, I just, Kami I feel like such a bastard. I'm so useless, I'm not poised or calm like Yuki, I'm not perky like Momiji, and I don't speak out against the things I hate like Kyo does. I'm just the stupid cow!"
"You're wrong Haru!" Tohru lifted her head up, tears brimming at the edges of her eyes. "Why can't people stop envying other people? Why can't they see it? They're own beauty, Haru, you have to see yours, its so wonderful," Tohru wiped her eyes and giggled lightly. "Haru, deep within your stolid built frame, there's a heart that's beating and its very loving."
Haru couldn't help but feel so much at ease with Tohru around. Any negative had a positive side in her eyes; it didn't matter if you made mistakes, as long as you lived and enjoyed it. "Didn't you say to Kyo once it's because we have plums on our backs, and we can't see it for ourselves? We're lucky to have you, you can see everyone's plums, even your own."
Tohru blushed, "Kyo told me my plum is very small, but I don't mind, small plums are cute." She stood up from her swing and held out her hand, "Shall we go home Haru? You can walk your bike along side Kyo and me. We've got finals tomorrow don't forget!"
Tohru guided Haru around the park until she finally bumped into Kyo and the three walked home together. Haru watched as Kyo wrapped his arm around Tohru's waist and her tiny hide leaned into his chest. He rolled his bike beside them and he sighed inwardly, Tohru didn't realize how much she had changed them. The thought of earlier today, Akito knowing about her never leaving and her band returning made his blood boil. If Akito...decided to erase her memories, how would any of them be able to survive?
The trio turned the last corner that would lead them to home when Tohru saw a dark figure on the street ahead of them. She paled, her eyes giving off a vacant look as Haru and Kyo, who had been in the middle of a conversation stopped to look ahead as well.
"Tell me dear Tohru, how long has it been since your last visit?" Akito asked coldly, his arms hidden in his long kimono sleeves. Kureno was behind him, but of course Tohru didn't know who he was. "Oh, Kureno you have never met the worthless riceball. This is Tohru Honda, the girl who knows about our curse."
"Yes Akito, you have told me all about Tohru," Kureno responded blandly. He turned and stared at Harui, "We haven't seen you around the Home in quite some time young Haru, not ever since you moved in with Shigure. Kisa and Hiro complain how they miss their older onii-chan." Kureno's voice was cold, like Akito's, it made Tohru shiver. His brown eyes were like stone.
"And you bastards have got nothing to say to me?" Kyo barked at them, Tohru's eyes widening as she watched his fists clench.
Akito ran his hands through his hair, "Now what could I possibly have to say to a worthless monster like you?"
"Why you..." Kyo snarled and was definitely about to tear off Akito's face when Tohru took hold of his hands. Akito watched with interest.
Tohru took a step forward and bowed to Akito and then to Kureno. "It's nice to meet you Kureno-san, you must be a zodiac member, I can tell by that look in your eyes. You're either the horse or the chicken, those are the only two animals I haven't met." Tohru turned to Akito, "It's nice to see you walking about and enjoying the air Akito, I'm happy that you're healthy."
Akito's eyes narrowed and he frowned, "And where is your lovely Clarity dear Tohru? Surely they would be glued to you after being gone for so long? I'm sure you thought your plan worked quite well."
"Gomen Akito-san!" Tohru bowed instantly, "I didn't know they were going to be returning. There were planning on going to Hiroshima for the record deal, but they got transferred back here. I was in no way trying to disobey our contract."
Akito smirked, "Yes, and you best dispose of Clarity before I loose my patience and dispose of you. Come Kureno, we shouldn't associate with this stupid trash any longer." Akito stepped through the trio, pushing Tohru out of the way with his shoulder. Kureno followed, all the time his eyes locked on Tohru until they were out of view.
Kyo rested his hand on Tohru's shoulder. Tohru was still immobilized, staring at the ground trying to loose the shivers inside her and stop her body from trembling. Akito always scared her, petrified her like a stone statue. She rose slowly and sighed, closing her eyes as Kyo's warm hand squeezed her shoulder. "Lets go home, I'm sure everyone is worried about us." Tohru left his hand and wrapped her arms around herself.
Kyo frowned and sighed; he knew what she was thinking; how could she ever get rid of the people she called her second family? Tohru was going to go see them at the end of this week, after the exams and tests were over so she could start recording the label with them. Although she had abandoned the band for him, it was easier for her because they had gone away. This time she would truly have to confront them. He knew that, it wasn't that Tohru wasn't willing to give them up over the Sohmas, but 'disposal' would lead to a lot of controversy on her heart.
After the trio got home Tohru stroked Haru's cheek, their own way of hugging before he disappeared for bed. Tohru finished cleaning up the cold supper dishes that the three had shared. Tohru ran threw her flash cards three times before deciding it was time to get a good night's sleep. She climbed the stairs groggily, and overwhelming queasiness in her as she tried not to think about Akito and Kureno.
She slid open the door to room and was surprised to find Kyo waiting inside, sitting at the chair beside her desk, the photograph of her mother in his hands. He looked up and smiled gently, the kind that made Tohru blush and advert her eyes to the floor. "Is something wrong Kyo?" She whispered.
Kyo rose from the chair, resting Kyoko's picture back on the table. "Nothing's wrong with me, but I know something is wrong with you." He approached her slowly, her head still down towards the floor. His rough fingers cuffed her chin and titled it up so he could capture her lips. He kissed her quick and gently, his free hand wrapping loosely around her waist. As he parted he leaned his head against hers, whispering in her ear, "Please don't leave me Tohru, I could not live without you I love you so much."
"I won't Kyo..." Tohru whispered gently, leaning her head against his, "I just don't...know how I'll ever say no to Clarity. I mean...they saved me from my sadness. It's the same as the other Sohmas giving up me right? There's so much pain involved."
Kyo sighed and kissed her cheek, "We'll work it out." He kissed her cheek again, desperate to keep her with him forever, not even to be possessive but because he loved her so dearly. "Us outcasts will be able to overcome him right?"
Tohru nodded, biting her lip gently as she tried not to let the tears fall down her face. "I'm going to do my very best to make sure everyone is happy." Kyo stroked the top of her head and she smiled, "Thank you Kyo, for worrying about me. I'll try not to let what Akito said get to me, I'll be strong for you."
"And I will be strong for you Tohru," Kyo whispered as he touched her cheek and smiled. "But I think I've kept you up long enough, we've got that final tomorrow. I think that you should tell Shigure what happened tomorrow too, okay?"
Tohru nodded, "It's better Dad knows anyway, I just hope he won't do anything irrational."