Chapter 23: Not As Bad As Dead

"Honda-San, run!"

Tohru leaped off the couch at the sound of Yuki's yell. She ran to the bottom of the stair case and heard a loud thud, like something hitting the wall very hard. Then she heard the sound of something fall to the floor, followed by footsteps heading for the stairs. Oh no….

Her heart sank as Angelo stood at the top of the stairs for a moment. She could hardly see, but she could tell he smirked as he started down the stairs.

Without another moment of hesitation, she turned and ran for the door, throwing it open and sprinting out in to the cold night. She didn't dare turn to see if he had followed her, sure that if she took even a second to slow, she would be caught. Her sock clad feet pounded against the dirt as she ran in to the trees, her heart pounding along in synch. Please don't let Yuki-Kun be dead, please let him be okay!

Back at the house a lone figure ran up to the front yard, his orange hair a wreck from his sprint. Kyo stopped to breathe heavily as he observed the open door and dark windows. Not a single light on…they're probably already here. "Tohru!" He yelled as he ran inside, stopping to stare around at the dark. "Tohru! Yuki! Shigure!" He checked the kitchen quickly and then ran up the stairs.

At the top he stopped and looked around. All of the doors were closed. His heart pounded as the silence pressed on his ear drums. A nagging feeling was telling him to check Tohru's room. Slowly, he pressed his body against the door, and then pushed quickly and it flew open. He stood ready to defend himself, and was relieved to find everything undisturbed. He sighed in relief and left the room. "Hello?" He called out in the hall.

His breath stopped as a thud sounded from down stairs. Thankful for years of being the cat to teach him how to creep, he descended the stair case without a sound. He headed for the kitchen once again, knowing it was the only place the thud could have come from. At the doorway he stopped and looked around. One of the cupboards was open.

He left the kitchen and headed for the hallway, thinking to check the phone. Headlights suddenly flooded the living room and blinded him for a second. A black car stopped and the back doors opened. Before he could jump to conclusions and assume it was Angelo and Vanessa, the blonde head of Momiji popped out of one side and the black curly mop of Catalyna from the other. He headed for the front door.

Then someone grabbed him from behind.

Outside Catalyna ran around the car and headed for the front door. Momiji was right on her heel. They were about to go in when a voice called to them from behind.

"Momiji-Kun, Lyna-Kun!"

They both turned to see a breathless Tohru running up to them. Momiji almost hugged her before remembering about the curse. Catalyna hugged her anyway. "Tohru, why were you out there?"

"Angelo's here!" She said gasping. "He's in the house, I think he hurt Yuki." She clutched her side.

"He hurt Yuki!?" Momiji grabbed her shoulders. "What were you doing out there?"

"Angelo was gonna get me, but I ran. I came back cause he wasn't chasing me." She paused to breathe. "I don't know what happened to him."

"Have you seen Kyo?" Catalyna grabbed Tohru's arm and Momiji let go of her shoulders.

Tohru shook her head. "No, why would he be here?"

"He's been staying at Lyna-Kun's." Momiji explained. "He escaped and she ran in to him and then- "

"That doesn't matter right now." Catalyna cut him off. "Tohru, I told him that they were coming and he was headed over here."

Tohru's eyes went wide. "W-what if they got him?" She choked.

Kyo was lifted off of his feet as a hand covered his mouth. He was dragged away from the door and an arm wrapped around his throat. With a yell he threw his elbow back in to the stomach of who he knew had to be Angelo. The hand flew away from his mouth as Angelo stumbled back with a grunt. Kyo took his chance and shoved him down, his head smacking the ground with a loud crack. He sprinted up the stairs two at a time, his legs caring him toward his room. He grabbed the knob and threw himself in to the door.

An object hit his mouth with so much force it sent him flying to the ground. Pain shot through his head and blinded him for a moment. Blinking he looked around, his vision slightly blurred. He could see the form of a woman standing over him, a cane in her hand. He didn't need to be able to see to know it was Vanessa.

"You Sohma's sure are brainless." His vision cleared as she bent down and grabbed the front of his shirt. "The other one was easy enough to knock out." She looked over to the side of his bed.

Kyo followed her gaze to find Yuki unconscious and facedown on the floor. Anger erupted through him. "What did you do with Tohru!? " He demanded.

"Tohru?" She mocked. "Oh, right, Tohru Honda." She pulled him up roughly and held his face an inch away from hers. "She'll be dead soon."

Kyo glared at her. "I will kill you if you touch her."

Vanessa's eyes narrowed dangerously. Without a word she threw him to the floor. Her heel connecting with his knee. He yelled in pain and then grabbed the cane from her. He struck her in the shins with all his strength, and she crumbled to the ground with a cry of pain. Kyo scrambled to his feet, cane in hand.

Just as he looked up Angelo ran in to the door. His green eyes found Vanessa on the floor, clutching her shins. "You son of a bitch." Angelo whispered, eyes narrowed at Kyo. He stepped over Vanessa and lunged.

With a swing of the cane Kyo stumbled backward as Angelo's body collided with his. His back hit the wall as hands found his throat. Choking on air Kyo tried to knee him, but his legs were pinned under Angelo's weight. All his training seemed to be forgotten. Fear of Tohru's fate gripped him harder than anything else. With a last effort to get free he threw his head forward, striking Angelo in the nose. The man cried out and let go immediately, grabbing his nose and shaking his head as he hunched over. Kyo advanced on him and brought the cane down, striking Angelo in the back.

An angry sound erupted from the hunched form, and then he lunged at Kyo again, his shoulder connecting with the younger boys abdomen. Kyo tripped backward and they both hit the window.

The sound of breaking glass caught the attention of the three outside. They looked up as glass rolled off the roof not ten feet away from them. Tohru screamed as the two tangled bodies rolled down the roof and right off the edge. "Kyo!" She shrieked as the orange hair came in to view.

Kyo hit the ground on his side, the wind knocked out of him. He gasped and tried to breathe, but Angelo was already up and advancing. Kyo braced himself as Angelo grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him to his feet, a long silver knife glinting in his grasp.

Everything suddenly came back to him as he glimpsed Tohru in his peripheral vision. Swiftly he ducked and threw his knee in to Angelo's gut.

Catalyna reached in to her back pocket and pulled out a switch blade, and with a click flipped it open. Momiji yelled from her left and she looked over, an unexpected blow hit her in the cheek. She stumbled back in shock.

"You pathetic child!"

Tohru gasped as Vanessa grabbed Catalyna by the hair and pulled. A yell left the girls mouth as she swiped at Vanessa with the blade. Momiji was on the ground, and another yell came from behind her. She turned to find Kyo on his back, staring up at Angelo in fear. The man towered over him, the long knife in his hand.

"Didn't your mother ever teach you to play nice?" Angelo placed the tip of the knife against Kyo's throat. "No, she only wished for death because of you."

Kyo swallowed, no escape presented itself. He had never looked death in the face before. Just let Tohru be okay…

Catalyna sliced Vanessa's shoulder open and pushed her down. Momiji was on his feet now, and he looked between the two females. Catalyna saw Tohru frozen, staring at Angelo hovering over Kyo. The silver glinted in the moon, and before she could think twice she ran and jumped onto his back with a shriek. She grabbed a handful of his hair as she held the switch up to his neck, pulling mercilessly and drawing blood with the blade.

The click of a gun hit Momiji's ears and he turned in time to see Vanessa stand and point one at Catalyna. "NO!" He screamed and ran at her. He tackled her to the ground as she pulled the trigger.

BANG!!!

Catalyna turned. "MOMIJI!!" In that moment of weakness Angelo reached back and grabbed her by the hair, pulling her over his head and slamming her to the ground. White crossed her vision as her spine cracked the ground.

Angelo looked up as Kyo ran at him. He met the cat head on and then threw him to the ground. With murder in his eyes he threw punches in to Kyo's abdomen.

Tohru looked around frantically. Catalyna had rolled on to her stomach and was clutching her back, and Momiji lay motionless as Vanessa groaned and shook her head. Angelo got up, leaving Kyo gasping on his back. He went over to Vanessa and picked up the gun. Green eyes met Tohru's as he raised the gun at her. He paused to smirk. "Now you die, Tohru Honda, any last words?"

Random memories flew threw her mind. Her mom fixing dinner, a scowl upon her face. Kyo breaking threw the roof, fighting Yuki and then running off. Rin weeping in her lap, and Momiji telling her not to tell that his mom didn't know about him. Uo's face when they first met. Hanajima threatening to zap people with her waves. She opened her mouth, only to close it again. She had nothing to say, so stood in silence. A whole minute seemed to pass as she stood waiting for him to pull the trigger. Angelo grew impatient.

"Are you going to say anything? Or are you just gonna stand there like some stupid nim- "

He was cut off as Catalyna drove the switch in to his back. His eyes grew wide and his mouth hung open. Tohru gasped as Catalyna pulled the switch out and stabbed him again. With a yell of fury she stabbed him a third time. Angelo fell to the ground, groaning as Catalyna looked up at Tohru. Catalyna opened her mouth to speak.

BANG!

Tohru screamed. "Lyna-Kun!!" as Catalyna fell to the ground clutching her side. Vanessa stood a few feet away, the end of the gun smoking slightly. She then turned to Tohru, a smirk on her lips. With uneasy steps she made her way toward the frozen girl. Before she could reach her Vanessa was grabbed from behind.

"Get away from her!" Kyo yelled as he pinned her arms behind her back, the gun falling from her grasp. She threw her head back and with a grunt he stumbled back. She was on him before he could recover. She wrapped her fingers around his throat, effectively cutting off his air. He reached out to grab hers, but she used all her force and choked him until his knees gave out beneath him. She followed him down still cutting off his breath with her snake like fingers.

"You shouldn't of interfered." She spit at him. "No one ever gets away from us, no matter what."

BANG!

Vanessa's dark eyes widened in horror and her grip loosened around Kyo's neck. He blinked a few times as she fell sideways, crumbling to the ground. Kyo sat up; blood ran on the grass from the back of her skull, where he could see the small bullet hole. Tearing his orange eyes away from her, he looked up to find Tohru standing shakily with the gun in her hand, down at her side. Her face was drained of color and her eyes were empty of any emotion.

Carefully Kyo got to his feet and walked over to her. Placing his hand on hers he gently pulled the gun away and set it on the ground. This caused her to turn her head and look at him in confusion, as though waking from a dream. The confusion was only there for a second, and then it was replaced by disbelief. Her lips parted. "Kyo-Kun, I…" She trailed off.

"It's alright, she's dead…and I think he is too." He placed his hand on her shoulder and turned to look at Angelo. He was now motionless, his eyes closed and unmoving. Kyo couldn't tell if he was breathing.

"W-what do we do now?" She watched him with guarded eyes. "Do we call the police?"

Kyo met her gaze. "I don't know…" He swallowed and blinked once. "Tohru, I…"

Before he could finish a black car drove up and was followed by three police cars. The four doors opened and out poured Hatori, Shigure, Ritsu, Hiro and Ayame. The police were out and checking on the fallen people. As though suddenly remembering Kyo turned away from Tohru. He kneeled next to Catalyna, relieved to find her awake and responding to the police. Next he got up and walked over to Momiji. He was unconscious, a bullet wound on his abdomen. Worry filled his heart.

"Momij-Kun, Lyna-Kun…" Tohru was suddenly there next to him. He looked back to see the other Sohma's around Catalyna; she was telling them what happened. It didn't occur to him to wonder what the others were doing there in the first place, and so prepared. And where was Akito? Wasn't he supposed to be here? He looked away from the others, meeting Tohru's teary eyes. "Kyo-Kun…"

His heart leapt at the sight of her tears. Lifting his hand he brushed her cheek with his fingers. "Tohru," His voice was soft. "Tohru, I'm sorry I didn't…." He couldn't finish. Instead he pulled her to him, his arms finding the right places around her body. It didn't occur to him to worry about the transformation. He didn't care. "I love you, Tohru."

"I love you, Kyo." She closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the cat to appear. After several seconds slipped by of nothing they pulled apart. Red lights flashed across their faces as an ambulance pulled up. Shock crossed her face. "Kyo-Kun, you didn't change! The curse must be- "

She didn't finish as he pulled her to his chest again, savoring the feel of the embrace. Is this real? Could the curse be broken? But how…?

Around them chaos took place and no one disturbed them for a few minutes. Then an officer cleared his throat next to them and began to ask questions.

Afterwards: Going On

"Kyo-Kun, Shishou-San is here!"

Tohru opened the door cheerfully on Saturday morning, the gray haired man stepping in with a smile. It was the day when Kyo would go help his father out at the dojo, and she smiled at the thought of him working with children. She led Kazuma in to the kitchen and poured him some tea.

"I'm glad you are smiling again." Kazuma said after sipping some tea. "It was awful to see someone so cheerful unwilling to smile."

Red filled her cheeks and her eyes found the ground in modesty. "Kyo-Kun is smiling more now." She laced her fingers together. "I couldn't be happier."

The air around the man changed. "How are they holding up?"

Brown eyes turned weary. "I'm not sure. Uo-Chan is okay. Momiji-Kun is recovering slowly, but Lyna-Kun…" She stopped and looked up at Kazuma. "I'm worried about her."

Kazuma lowered the tea from his mouth. "May I ask why that is?"

Hesitantly Tohru spoke. "They killed her mother. She only worries about what she'll do once she's out of the hospital. You see, all of her immediate family is dead, and the rest are just like Vanessa and Angelo."

Empathy clouded Kazuma's gaze. "Perhaps she could stay in Japan."

Tohru turned her head to look out of the window. A determined look claimed her face. "I apologize Shishou-San, but I have something I should do."

Kazuma nodded. "It is not a problem. Kyo should be ready anyway."

On cue Kyo entered the kitchen with a small bag in his hand. His orange hair fell slithly over his eyes as he regarded the two with suspicion. "What are you two up to?"

"Not a thing." Kazuma placed his empty cup on the counter. "Come, Kyo, the students won't wait forever." With that he left the two alone in the kitchen.

Kyo placed his hand on Tohru's arm and ran his finger down until it reached her hand. With uncertainty he linked their fingers together and waited for her to look at him.

"Kyo-Kun, what can we do for Lyna-Kun?" She asked without meeting his eyes. Her hand squeezed his and he returned the pressure.

"We could let her stay here. Or maybe at the Sohma Estate." He wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Not that I would wish that on her. But Akito should show hi- " He stopped and amended his mistake. "her gratitude. After all, she was ready to hand you over to them."

Tohru nodded in agreement. Akito had shown up later and upon seeing the chaos left. "Go, Kyo-Kun, Shishou-San is waiting." When he didn't move to leave she looked up and met his eyes. Raising herself on tip toe she gently pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

Kyo smiled when she pulled away, a dazed look in his eyes. "Okay, I'll go."

With that he walked away and Tohru ran out of the kitchen to prepare to leave.

"I want to read."

Catalyna sat up in her bed at the hospital, eyes fixed on the blonde sitting at the end of her bed. She blinked as his blue eyes changed from joyful to unreadable. Over the past week it had been this way; she would sit in her bed and Momiji would leave his to be with her. He had video games and cards and some movies and a portable DVD player, but her mind was filled with worry. What would she do? Where would she go? She didn't belong in America, and any happiness in Central or South America she had was gone. All of her family was exactly like Vanessa and Angelo. She was relieved when she heard Angelo had suffered paralysis at the stab wounds she inflicted. Now, she waited until she was ready to leave. Momiji was trying to keep her mind off of things.

"Are you thinking about it again?" Momiji asked in his deeper voice. She had come to realize he only used it with her. "Because you don't need to worry anymore. You'll be staying with me once we're out."

That was another thing. Momiji had been insisting she live with him. His argument was that he was practically alone all the time anyway, and why not? He should take care of her. The idea was enticing and she was tempted to accept, but could it really be? "Momiji, how do you know things would be okay? We're young, living together would be dumb."

A hurt light was in his eyes. "Lyna-Kun, I…I think I've fallen in love with you. I want you to be safe, no matter what."

Catalyna wasn't surprised, but she was touched. She knew she loved him when he was shot and everything seemed to break to pieces in her heart. He was definitely a lot better, and lucky too. That bullet should have killed him, but somehow it didn't hit anything vital. Her wound was a deep graze and the way she hit her back wasn't good news either. It was really tender and would ache if she moved it wrong. She smiled at him. "I already love you, it's just…how could I impose on you that way?"

He looked incredulous. "Impose? How is that imposing? I want you there. Where else would you go?"

She winced as she shifted wrong. He left the end of the bed and settled beside her. She leaned against him. "How about we try it for a week?"

Momiji looked down at her and smiled. "Yeah, that sounds good. And if it works and we like it, then we can stay like that." He lowered his face until his lips hovered an inch away from hers. "And it's going to work, trust me." He whispered and then placed his mouth on hers. She shyly accepted the kiss and hugged him around the waist.

"Is Catalyna Lorenzo still awake?"

Tohru quickly received a nod from a nurse and then made her way to an elevator. She twisted her hands together, nervous about seeing Catalyna. She wasn't sure why, she had gone to see her everyday. Some how she felt this one was different.

The elevator stopped and the doors opened. She walked out and headed down the deserted hallway. Once she reached the room she walked inside and smiled. Momiji was asleep right next to her, on top of the blanket and with their fingers entwined. Catalyna sat awake, reading from what she could see was a fantasy novel. She looked up when Tohru made a noise and smiled warmly. "Tohru, hi." She greeted her quietly. "Momiji hasn't slept much these last couple of days, so I don't want to wake him."

Tohru nodded and sat in the chair right next to her. "I'll try to stay quiet." She had apologized to Catalyna numerous times for not acting quickly that night. Somehow she couldn't bring herself stop. "I'm sorry, Catalyna… I should of- "

"Okay, stop." Catalyna cut her off and held up her hand. "Don't say sorry anymore, it's over and done with." She waited to see if Tohru would say anything, and when she didn't she continued. "There is nothing to forgive and everything is just fine now."

"But it's not, Lyna-Kun." Tohru pleaded with her. "Once you're out of the hospital I want you to come stay with me."

Catalyna regarded her in confusion for a moment. "I'm going to stay with Momiji for a while."

Tohru's eyes widened. "Momiji? But why?"

Catalyna half shrugged. "He's been offering, and, well, why the hell not? I love him and he's wonderful to me."

Tohru smiled suddenly. "Well, then I'm happy for you."

Catalyna nodded and then looked down at the comforter around her. "My mother's funeral is tomorrow."

"I'm sorry, Lyna-Kun."

"Don't be, it was bound to happen one of these days." She raised her head and gazed at the ceiling. "It's as though our time spent tracking them and destroying their plans was all based on luck. We've been very lucky so many times." She turned her eyes to Tohru. "Her luck ran out before mine."

Without knowing what to say Tohru stayed silent, willing Catalyna to say anything she wanted.

"Go, Tohru, go home and spend time with Kyo." Catalyna pat Tohru's hand, which was resting on the comforter. "Go do laundry or something."

Tohru nodded and stood up. She said her goodbyes and headed home.

Once at her destination she found there was wet laundry that needed to be hung. So she took a basket of wet clothes and headed out of the back, the line empty of any apparel. She set the basket down and looked out at the trees, no longer fearing any eyes upon her. After some half hour she was so caught up she hadn't realized Kyo taking a towel from the basket and hanging it next to her. She was startled as she discovered his presence. "Kyo-Kun, what are you doing here?"

He smiled down at her. "Helping you out." He finished with the towel and reached down for another. "So what happened with Catalyna?"

Tohru sighed. "She'll be staying with Momiji-Kun."

Kyo raised his brows. "Wow, that's weird."

"What is?"

"It's just that I didn't think anything was serious between them." He blew air out of his mouth and up, his bangs bugging his eyes. "I thought it was a… I don't know, non committed relationship?"

Tohru shook her head. "No, they're quite serious." She struggled with a blanket and Kyo helped her. "I think they're great together."

"I still need to thank her." Kyo said suddenly, his eyes turning distant.

"Thank her?"

"For keeping me at her house when I had no where else to go." The corner of his mouth pulled up. "It was boring having to hide, but at least she spared me having to run away very far."

"You can thank her tomorrow. She's resting now."

Kyo placed his arm around her shoulder. "It's strange, but in a way I'm relieved that Rat wasn't hurt worse."

"Concussions are pretty bad."

"Not as bad as dead."

They're eyes met and they smiled. Tohru hadn't felt so relieved in years. Her heart seemed to be permanently on happy, which was nothing to complain about. Kyo headed inside to start dinner and Tohru finished up the laundry. She bent down to lift the basket when a crack from the trees caused her to look up.

At first she was frightened, but then she stopped herself. Her problems were over, there was no one in the trees waiting for her. Shrugging she lifted the basket. She had already stood and fought against the ruthless, what could a small crack in the woods possibly do to her? Nothing, not a single thing.

With a smile on her lips she headed inside.

A/N: THE END!! Yay I finished it! Geeze it took me forever! Never am I writing such long chapters again, never!! Anyhow, thank you to those who have read, reviewed and followed this story. I will be finishing my other one and then I will write a Mortal Instruments story. So if you're in to that look out for when I decide to start it.