Chapter 5
Kagura sat down next to Kyo at dinner and Shigure kept giggling to himself because of it. Kyo stared at him angrily, and then Shigure would stop and smile to himself. Deep down inside, Kagura knew it had been a hard thing for Kyo to admit what he felt inside of his heart. The fact that he had done it on his own, without any sort of persuasion from her was the miracle that she had always hoped for. He truly cared about her. They all looked up when they heard the footsteps inside the house. Yuki and Tohru had been gone for a very long while and everyone had wondered what had happened to them. Kagura stood up and slid the door open.
Yuki stroked Tohru's hair and she looked into his eyes with worry. He leaned in closer and whispered into her ear.
"Don't worry. Everything's going to be fine. Go upstairs and rest. I'll bring you some food."
Tohru smiled and hugged him, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. His body's warmth wrapped around her delicately and she closed her eyes, letting the kindness into her soul. Somewhere in the depths of it however, was a lingering murky cold that she couldn't seem to push away.
"Thank you so much Yuki, for everything that you've done for me. I'd be lost without you."
Their eyes locked into one another's but they pulled away awkwardly, the door next to them budging, light shining onto their faces. Kagura's mouth fell open and then she smiled.
"So it is you two! I was wondering who it was! Where have you been? Dinner is getting cold."
Tohru sighed and then Yuki shook his head.
"We went for a walk, but it looks like Tohru's uh… sickness is worse than we feared. She's going to get rest upstairs. I'll bring her food up there."
He motioned for Tohru to get going and she nodded, excusing herself. Kagura shook her head sadly as she watched her friend leave.
"It's such a pity. I've never seen her so… weary and exhausted. For some reason, it's like she's changed too… I don't see the pair of glimmering happy eyes I saw before."
Yuki nodded silently, his thoughts filtering what had happened to Tohru with Akito. There was no way that anyone else could find out; if they did, who knew what would happen? He followed her into the dinning room and Shigure put his arms up in the air enthusiastically.
"Yuki! Where's Tohru? Isn't she with you?"
He sat down and sighed.
"She's upstairs resting for now."
Kyo mumbled something to himself and Yuki glanced at the slouched orange headed cousin with a cocked eyebrow.
"What was that Kyo?"
"Huh? Nothing, just wondering what the two of you could possibly have been doing all day long. Must have been something exciting though. Maybe like a secret. I bet you and Tohru are keeping something from all of us!"
Kagura put her hand on Kyo's arm to calm him down, but he shoved her away, his anger getting the best of him. He leaned forward towards Yuki and smirked.
"It is a secret, isn't it? Spit it out rat-boy!"
Yuki gritted his teeth and then stood up.
"No. There is no secret that we are keeping from you, but I for one am shocked. You usually don't jump to conclusions… this quickly."
He stood up and looked down at the cat, who was being restrained by Kagura and Shigure.
"Shut up rat-boy! I know you're hiding something!"
"Will you shut it? I've had enough of this, really. I'll eat my dinner upstairs. Thank you Kagura."
He nodded his head and took two plates of food with him. The door shut close and Kyo sulked.
"What does he know? He's always been sneaky and tricky."
Kagura leaned forward and put on her softest smile.
"It's okay Kyo. You don't have to worry by yourself. I think you're right."
Suddenly they turned around to find Shigure laughing hysterically.
"You're agreeing with him Kagura? That's the funniest thing that has happened today! I can't believe it really!"
Kyo's temper boiled and he grabbed Kagura by the arm forcefully. The door shut close with a thunderous boom, and then Shigure sighed. He was looking at an empty table once more.
"What is going on with them lately? Hmm…" he contemplated rubbing his chin, "maybe there is something that I don't know about."
..:-:..
Yuki knocked softly on the door and then opened it. Tohru was sprawled out in her bed, the covers up to her ears. Her eyes opened slightly when he came in and she stirred with a whimper.
"Yuki?"
He set the food down and smiled.
"Yes, it's me."
She pushed herself up into a sitting position and then laid her head back against the wall. Yuki sat down on the bed next to her and put his arm around her. Tohru's head rolled onto his shoulder and she closed her eyes, tears finally expelling out of them. Yuki wiped them away, his fingers briskly brushing her skin. She sighed and then wrapped her arms around his waist. Each of them had never felt that close to one another, and they didn't say anything for a while, taking in all of the details of the moment, every feeling and sound that played in the trees outside.
Tohru yawned and Yuki rested his head on top of hers.
"Don't you think this is a bit strange Yuki?"
He pulled away a bit and looked into her dull eyes, no longer full of life and spunk as Kagura had mentioned.
"What is?"
"That you don't transform anymore when you hug me. I think that goes for every girl now."
He blinked and then looked away. For his entire life, he had been under the Sohma curse, allowing him to become an outcast. He had to push away girls who were always very nice and kind towards him, but this time he didn't have to push Tohru away. A soft smile appeared on his face and he sighed.
"That's right, I don't transform. I don't know how it happened, but once we hugged each other, it seemed like everything was different, wouldn't you agree?"
She nodded her head and he leaned back to her. Tohru crawled into his safe and warm embrace and closed her eyes.
"Besides, I'm awfully glad that it turned out this way. I've been keeping my feelings inside for such a long time."
Tohru stroked his arm gently and thought about how it must have felt for Yuki to go through his life without anyone comforting him. She squeezed him a bit tighter and swallowed away the tears. What had happened with Akito wouldn't have to happen again, ever.
..:-:..
Kyo had dragged Kagura all the way into the back yard. The moon shined brightly in the dark sky and fireflies flew low to the ground, illuminating the blades of grass that they rested on. Once he let go of her, she stopped and gawked at him. He took a few steps towards the forest and then growled in frustration.
"Why are those idiots always against me? I hate it! I hate them!"
Kagura's mouth closed and she took a step towards him. Her lips tightened and she clenched her fists. As Kyo turned around, she brought her shoulders up to her ears and her arms became rigid. His eyes widened and his mouth gasped.
"Kyo, just shut it yourself! You're always angry with your family! Can't you act normal for once?"
It was the second time she had raised her voice that day, but this time she calmed herself down, and her breathing came back to normal. Her eyes softened and she looked away. Kyo's mouth closed and he looked away as well. His voice was just a whisper on the wind, but she heard him nonetheless.
"I'm sorry Kagura. I've got a bad temper sometimes…"
They looked at each other and smiled. It was such a different way to live, now that they were in tune with one another. Granted, they each had their weak moments; it was good to have someone to share those troublesome times with. Kyo took Kagura's hand in his, and she giggled sheepishly. His eyes struck into hers and he leaned in closer.
"Don't laugh at me, or I'll let you go!"
She stopped and the buzz of crickets filled the hum of the still air. His face was inches away from hers and her eyes shimmered teasingly.
"I don't think you'd do that Kyo…"
"Oh really?" he asked
"Because…I won't let you…"
She leaned in and her lips met his in a warm spread of wetness. Kyo closed his eyes and all of the anger disappeared instantly. Her presence was like nothing he had ever known before. He quickly deepened the kiss and brought her into his embrace. Within a few moments, a white cloud appeared and she wasn't in his arms anymore. She was on the ground and a sparkle lit her eyes.
"That's weird. Are you feeling okay?"
She shook her head and walked over to his leg and put her head on it.
"No… I guess I'm still tired from what happened and it's shocking you know… that you would kiss me…. I never…"
He smiled and picked her up gently. He caressed her head and they walked up to her room. He put her down in her bed and sighed. Kagura sneezed and Kyo laughed slightly.
..:-:..
She awoke in a deep mist and it swirled around her. Its icy particles prickled her skin as if they were going to crawl underneath it. Her senses became numb and she took a deep breath of air. Suddenly as an illuminated darkness drifted towards her, it formalized itself and she gasped when she saw Akito's sneering face only inches away from hers.
"Hello Tohru. Miss me?"She stood frozen and then she inhaled his icy breath. His dark eyes gloated and then they were all that she could see.
"What do you want?"
"Don't you know? You are me now. I am you. Thus you are the head of the Sohmas and you must tell them to…"
She woke up breathing heavily with Yuki shaking her shoulders. Her eyes widened and darted around the room frantically.
"Tohru, what's wrong?"
"Is he here? Is Akito here? I had the most awful dream. Akito wanted to make me do something, but he didn't tell me because I woke up. Yuki, I'm scared, I'm so scared."
He took her into his warm embrace and the tears fell freely. She curled up to him and buried her head in his chest. The two trays of food were still on the bed side table, cold and limp. The sun began to stream into the room, and with Yuki's constant comforting, she started to feel a bit safer.
"It was only a dream Tohru."
He whispered to her and she replied weakly.
"Then he said that I was the head of the Sohmas now."
"It was a dream Tohru. Wait a minute, I have an idea."
Yuki left the room with a warm smile and she reached out towards him like a small child. The door shut close and Tohru sighed. She looked to the window and saw the sun in the far away distance. A small shadow drifted through it and she shook wearily.
As Yuki was passing the rooms in the hallway, he noticed that one of them was ajar. He stopped and leaned his head inside. A small smile reached his lips as he saw Kyo's head lying on Kagura's bed. They both slept and deep down, he knew that Kyo had finally passed his ultimate test; he had found a way to get rid of the tough shell that covered him, and he also knew that it was because Kagura that it happened. He closed the door softly and headed downstairs.
Yuki waited impatiently as the water boiled and then the kettle blew piercingly. He took it and poured the searing hot water into two cups. As the tea brewed, he heard a shuffling noise and the door opened. Shigure smiled happily and stretched his arms out.
"Another lovely night of rest and another beautiful morning to greet us! I'd say we are definitely lucky, wouldn't you?"
Yuki rolled his eyes and took the two cups of tea upstairs.
"Sure Shigure, in your world, everything is just perfect and swell, isn't it?"
With that, the door shut close and Shigure was left alone once again.
"I've got to get out more. These people are really odd."
..:-:..
Tohru shivered when the breeze swept by. She constantly felt cold now. It was only when Yuki was by her that she felt like herself again. He completed her and could somehow always keep her on track. The door opened and he walked in with a smile. Immediately, her spirits lifted as she saw the steam float away from the two cups. He handed her one and she inhaled it with her eyes closed, taking in the wonderful scent of picked green leaves. She took a sip and sighed as the warmth spread through her entire body.
"Yuki, thank you so much! It was just the thing I needed!"
She opened her eyes, and for the first time in a long while, he saw a spark of enthusiasm in them. He nodded happily and sat down.
"I thought it might cheer you up. I'm glad it did."
He leaned in and the birds chirped cheerfully in the trees. His hand swept through her hair and he saw her sigh at his touch. Tohru was in a state of utter bliss. She couldn't have asked for any other man to be this kind towards her. He kissed her forehead softly and rubbed her arm.
"I'll meet you downstairs for breakfast all right?"
"Oh! I need to make breakfast! I've done it again!"
He pushed her back down so that she sat one the bed dumbfounded.
"No Tohru. Take it easy. I'll find Kagura and make breakfast for you."
Yuki gave her a soft smile and her eyes watered as she smiled back. His figure disappeared and she took another sip of the soothing tea. Why was it that she always had such loving people around her? She was so grateful to have Yuki by her side all the time. She sighed and stood up. Tohru quickly got dressed and headed downstairs.
..:-:..
Kagura stirred and when she opened her eyes she saw Kyo's ruffled hair of head on her bed, just like before. She smiled to herself, the warmth of the sun streaming onto her bed. She yawned and slipped out of bed. After she dressed herself and combed her hair, she walked over to Kyo and shook his shoulders gently. Kagura kissed his face and smiled as he fluttered his eyes open.
"Huh? What's…oh, Kagura, you're awake…"
He sat up and yawned.
"Of course I'm awake sleepy head. Come on. Let's go get some food."
They reached the kitchen and their jaw dropped. Yuki was fumbling over the oven. Pots were cluttered around everywhere. He turned around and laughed awkwardly.
"I started without you Kagura. I guess I have made a mess of things, haven't I? Well it looks like the two of you are up now."
He looked at Kyo with a smirk and Kyo hunched his shoulders, a deep red shade covering his cheeks.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Kagura put her hand on his shoulder and he sighed. Kyo muttered something underneath his breath and walked into the dining room.
"I'll take care of things… is Tohru coming down soon?"
"I told her that she should rest a bit. She'll be down later."
Kagura stared at him incredulously.
"Is she really that sick? She seemed completely fine before. What happened?"
Yuki stiffened as he was about to head out the door. His head turned slowly towards Kagura, but he didn't look at her. His voice was only a whisper, concealing the horrifying truth behind his lie.
"It must have been those early morning walks I guess…I always told her not to go…"
Kagura nodded grimly and sighed.
"I told her too… oh well… all she needs is some rest now though and she should be all better!"
Yuki headed out and joined Kyo and Shigure at the table. Kagura came in with the food some time later, and Tohru still wasn't there. Yuki was growing worried, but he sat patiently. Shigure's stomach growled and he whined.
"Where is Tohru? I want to eat already!"
Kyo furrowed his eyebrows and clenched his fists containing his deep anger.
"Then eat why don't ya? It's not like you don't know how to!"
Shigure pondered this for a moment and then nodded eagerly.
"You are absolutely right Kyo! Thank you for your generous words of wisdom!"
He dove down into his morning soup and Kagura stifled a giggle. Yuki looked up at the door constantly, and just as he was going to stand up and check up on her, Tohru came walking through the door, her skin slightly pale, and a meek smile on her face.
"Good morning everyone. Sorry to keep you waiting."
She shuffled her feet to the table, her arms hanging limply at her sides. Her grace was slowed and heavy. As Yuki watched her, he was suddenly reminded of how Akito would always hunch over and slowly walk around everywhere. He shrugged the feeling aside and helped her sit down next to him. Everyone stared at her as if she was a complete stranger, yet someone they should be afraid of. She was estranged and not the same person as before, and everyone could feel that in the air around them. Tohru took a bit of her food and chewed sadly. It didn't taste as wonderful as before. The colors around her, in the clothes her friends wore, were becoming dull and dim. She blinked and leaned forwards a bit, almost hitting her head on the table. Yuki caught her just in time and she sighed. Kyo cocked his eyebrow and bit his lip.
"Tohru, are you feeling okay?" he asked with hesitation.
She shot her head towards him as if she was directing all of her attention on him. He pulled back a bit, startled by her rash movement, however she smiled and shook her head, her eyes staring into his.
"No Kyo. I'm completely fine."
Kagura's mouth dropped open and she stole a quick glance from Yuki.
"But I thought Yuki said that you were very ill…"
Tohru looked at him with a deep stare, but then it softened when his soft lavender eyes bore into hers. She sighed and looked down at her lap.
"Yes, I'm afraid so. I didn't want to worry any of you. Please forgive me. I think that's all I'll have now… I'm going to… go upstairs."
She struggled to stand up and they watched silently as Tohru Honda, the girl with the optimistic smile, trudged away from them as if there was an invisible barrier between them all. Yuki yearned to go to her, but he couldn't, not right then. His friends would get suspicious and would start to wonder why he was spending so much time with Tohru. She closed the door behind her and put a foot on one step. Suddenly she stopped and shook her head. A wave of dizziness swept over her and she took a deep breath of air as she gripped the banister rail. Tohru needed fresh air, so she turned around and walked out the door. The sunlight shocked her and it took a while before her eyes adjusted. With every step that she took, with every fresh crisp breath of air she inhaled, it felt like life was seeping back inside of her.
Yuki quickly finished his plate of food and then stood up and left. He knew that something was wrong with Tohru, and he needed to go find her quickly. When he got to her room, his jaw dropped when he saw that she wasn't there. He ran to the window and saw a figure walking in the forest. A tight feeling grew in his stomach and he ran down the stairs and out of the house.
Tohru walked through the forest and sighed as she looked around. For some reason, everything around her seemed to be not as bright and colorful anymore. Nature had lost its beauty in her eyes and she looked down at the trial sadly. Suddenly, she heard a pounding of footsteps ahead of her. A tall man with white hair wearing a black suit quickly ran towards her. She squinted and then her eyes widened. It was Haru Sohma and she was almost sure that he wasn't quite normal. Perhaps he was Black Haru for the moment. He kept running towards her, and it seemed as if he had no intention to stop. However, he did stop right in front of her and he panted, his hands on his knees.
"What the hell are you doing Tohru? Get out of my way or I'll have to pummel you down to the ground!"
He laughed insanely, but then he brought his eyes to hers. Yuki was relieved when he saw Tohru's back, but then his eyes widened when he saw Haru next to her. The gaze on his face was menacing, but suddenly, it grew softer. Haru looked into her eyes and Tohru's mouth twisted into a small smirk.
"Are you really going to do that Hatsuharu? Would you really pummel me to the ground?"
Her voice was harsh and cold, yet soft. Haru's eyes widened and he took a step back. His pupils grew smaller and he bowed to her.
"I'm so sorry Tohru. I don't know what came over me."
He looked at her hesitantly and then saw Yuki in the distance.
"Uh… I think I am going to go now…"
Haru watched as a small smile crept onto Tohru's face. He didn't know what made him run towards her like a bull, but then when he looked at her, it was as if some kind of unknown power hidden inside her leashed out at him and calmed his senses. It was all a bit eerie and he turned and left. Yuki walked up to Tohru and when she felt his hand on her shoulder, she jumped and turned towards him with a gasp. The coldness in her body disappeared and her cruel smile vanished.
"Yuki! Don't scare me like that!"
He observed her face and her eyes, and she seemed to be all right. Yuki pulled her into a tight hug and she let her arms wrap around his back.
"What did Hatsuharu want?"
She shivered at the sound of his full name, something she would have never said, but strangely did.
"I don't know… he just came and went."
Yuki looked away distantly and then focused his gaze back on Tohru.
"Why did you come out here anyways? Don't you know you should be resting?"
She nodded and sighed.
"Yes, but I wanted some fresh air."
"Okay, so promise me that next time you want to go for a walk, you'll take me along."
Tohru nodded happily and hugged him again.
"All right Yuki. I promise."
His warmth delved into her heart and she closed her eyes dreamily. She heard his heart beating in her ear as she leaned her head on his chest. A fuzzy dreamlike feeling swept through her and she sighed happily. Suddenly, it was all gone and her eyes jerked open; she couldn't hear the heartbeat anymore. Tohru pulled away and her eyes widened, her heart sped up and her jaw dropped. Akito laughed cruelly and he smirked as he eyed her.
"What's going on? Where's Yuki?"
He pointed to his left and Tohru turned her head abruptly. Yuki was standing there holding herself. She took a step back as she saw the frozen couple embraced in each other's arms.
"But that's me! How is this possible?"
Akito stepped closer and put his hand around her neck, pulling her into him.
"I can call your mind to me whenever I please."
She looked at him with horror. Tohru turned her head to look at Yuki once more and she screamed silently inside of her head. She wasn't dreaming at all.
"What is he to you? He can never be as good as I."
His strong grip pulled her into a sudden kiss and the wind was knocked out of her. She tried to push him away but a wave of weakness hit her knees. Everything inside of her felt like it was being torn out, but suddenly she thought of Yuki and she found her strength again. She pushed his shoulders away and he stumbled backwards with the same cruel grin on his face. His dark hair hung around his jaw limply and he shook his head slightly.
"You're just like me Tohru. It's because before I left, I hid inside of you."
Tohru shook her head crazily and put her hands to her ears.
"No! You're lying! It's just a dream!"
She felt his cold hands on hers and she jumped. He was right in front of her, but this time he just stood there.
"It's time I told you what to do."
Tohru suddenly felt a dread fill her head and she remembered that he had tried to say it to her before.
"Fine. Tell me and go away! I don't want anything to do with you anymore!"
"All right, if that's what you want," he leaned in and whispered into her ear, "but I won't go away. All of my life, I've never been happy, and to see a smile on a Sohma's face was sickening. It was my goal to make everyone around me full of sorrow. When you came, I let it be, because I knew the day would come when you would help me, you would set me free and make me happy."
She took a step back and looked at him incredulously.
"Don't act so shocked Tohru. You always knew, somewhere deep down inside of you. Anyways, I've been meaning to get rid of a happy little girl, the one you turned away from her depression and silence. Can you figure it out yourself Tohru?"
He smiled cruelly and she shook her head slowly, her hands trembling at her mouth.
"No… not Kisa… I can't!"
"Oh yes you will Tohru. You will go to her and tear her apart from Hiro. None of the Sohmas deserve to be happy as long as they live."
"Akito, there is no way I'm going to hurt Kisa. She is my friend and I would never do something like that to her."
He drifted right to her and leaned into her. The pressure of his lips was tremendous and Tohru felt herself shrinking underneath him like before. He lifted his head and whispered.
"You will do it Tohru. You will."
She closed her eyes, and suddenly she heard the heartbeat in her head again. As she pulled away, Yuki's smile vanished and a worried expression filled his face.
"Tohru, what happened? You're pale and your eyes…"
The cold dread inside of her wouldn't leave and she knew that she hadn't dreamt meeting with Akito. The horrible truth of the matter was that she was now the head of the Sohmas, and she had to do whatever Akito bid her to do.
"Tohru?"
She snapped her head to him and sighed.
"I think I need to go rest. My head hurts a bit."
He nodded and they walked back to the house together. She let her arm drop towards her side when she saw Kyo and Kagura coming towards them. Kagura was laughing and smiling sweetly. Tohru wished that she had never gone to the Sohma residence that one morning; she wished that she could still be cheerful Tohru Honda, but now she was Tohru Sohma, and her goal was to make everyone around her miserable.
..:-:..
Shigure hummed to himself and then smiled when he heard the phone ring. He picked it up and sang into the receiver.
"Helllooo? This is Shigure speakingggg!"
"Seriously, do you have to do that all of the time?"
His face beamed and he dropped his jaw excitedly.
"Is that you Hatori? I haven't heard from you in the longest time!"
"Yeah, it's great to speak to you as well. Listen, I'm calling because of Akito."
Shigure's smile disappeared and he became serious, for once.
"What is it?"
"Everyone has been gone and Akito insisted that we took a vacation without him. He's been alone at the Sohma residence, so I was wondering if you and everyone else could go and check up on him."
"Of course. That would be a wise thing to do. Thank you for telling me Hatori."
"It's all right. Just make sure that he's fine."
"Okay. I'll tell everyone right now."
He hung up the phone just as Kyo, Kagura, Yuki and Tohru came inside. They looked at his serious face and knew that something had happened.
"Everyone, I have an announcement to make. Go get dressed because today, we are going to go visit Akito."
Tohru's jaw dropped and her eyes widened immediately. Yuki looked at her nervously, hoping that she wouldn't give anything away. Kyo shrugged his shoulders and looked away just as Kagura looked down at her feet. Tohru's voice was high and desperate. She didn't want to see him ever again, even though he could come to her at anytime he desired.
"Why do we have to go? I don't want to…"
"I'm sorry Tohru, but he's been at the residence by himself for a few days and Hatori insists that we check up on him."
She shook her head and then felt the dizziness overwhelm her again. Her body became limp and her world black as she tilted to the side. Yuki gasped and caught her before she fell, but as everyone's eyes were on them, he quickly stretched his arms out so it looked like they hadn't come into close contact. If he didn't transform, everyone would start wondering why that was.
"Oh my, poor Tohru. It seems that she is truly ill. Kagura, will you help her up to her room?"
She nodded and took Tohru into her arms. Tohru had become frail and she had lost dramatic weight over the past few days, so it wasn't too difficult for Kagura to get her upstairs. Kyo sulked quietly and Yuki paced around nervously. How would everyone react when Akito wasn't there? His gut told him that it was going to be nowhere near a happy celebratory party. He walked upstairs and heard a soft whimper come from Tohru's room. Yuki opened the door to see Kagura helping Tohru into her bed.
"I don't know what it is that has gotten to her. I'm starting to become worried Yuki."
He stood silently and watched her breathe. Yuki had no idea what was wrong either. Tohru's past with Akito seemed a lifetime ago, but it was as if he haunted her every moment that she lived.
A/N: This was such a hard chapter to write for some reason… I kept trying and trying, but I would always get distracted and I'd leave it at a paragraph or two… thankfully I got a boost of inspiration yesterday somehow ;) I hope you liked it! And I hope that it explained a bit as well! Thanks so much for reading and a review would be much appreciated!
-Monika-