Everyone had been helping out for the past week, Kyo's room had been Shigures junk room so when Kyo came they pretty much shoved everything to one side of the room or in the closet and that had been that. Kyo hadn't minded, he was pretty messy himself and he had found some pretty cool stuff in the piles of junk. But now that he was to be sharing a room there had to be more space so boxes where got and everyone was a flurry of activity as they packaged things into boxes, labeled what they were and carted them into the attic.
It was a tough job for every one but Shigure who mostly wailed about his precious things being boxed and then started smuggling cheep knick-knacks to his room. And then to everyone but Tohrus surprise a lot of the Zodiac members showed up to help in their own way.
They had done little things, thing that where silent messages about how much they cared for Momiji. Hatsuharu wandered in a few days after they started- with a picture featuring a field and some cows and looked like it had been ripped out of a calendar. Ignoring Kyo's yells for him to get out he stoically walked into Kyos room and tacked the picture up on what was going to be Momijis side.
Everyone silently agreed that Haru was weird but they left it up. All the zodiacs had done little things like that, Kagura helped Tohru put up a soft nice blue wall paper and Kisa and Hiro had Hatori bring them over so that Kisa could set up a weird looking Tiki figure on what was going to be Momijis night stand. When everyone looked to Hiro for an explanation he just shrugged, That week a lot of the others trickled in to offer something.
Kyo himself just continued moving junk out, but he steadily watched as his room changed from a messy but somewhat impersonal room, to a room that had a sweet and lived in feel. He was kinda ticked this was happening to his room but just the thought of the kid kept him quiet.
Although Kyo wasn't about to say anything he was feeling kinda worried about bunking with the brat, it wasn't like he really minded sharing a room he wasn't in it that much anyway. No, the real problem was that despite being worried for the kid he didn't know what to do for him. Little whispers of doubt wormed into his thoughts like 'what if I say something wrong and make it worse?' or 'what if the kid just don't wanna bunk with the cat? But despite his doubt Kyo kept it too himself and helped get everything ready for Momiji.
However the one that was doing the most was Tohru hands down, Kyo had to admit that Momiji had better be ready to be fawned over by that girl because she was going nuts getting ready. Kyo wasn't quite sure how much Yuki had told Tohru about Momiji coming to stay but she must have gotten the idea that they were going to have to be careful with him because she was going out of her way to make room for him.
After clearing Kyo's room and slapping wallpaper up with Kagura, Tohru had- to everyone's cringing over her already depleted funds- gone nuts and bought him a soft yellow blanket to go over his futon and then about 15 stuffed animals to keep Momiji company. Then after she'd stuffed the bedroom she bought a special mug that was pink, for Momiji to use at meal times and a door marker that she convinced Shigure to paint 'Kyo and Momijis room.' on.
By the end of her 'Momijis coming' parade even Yuki had to sweat drop at the girl. Kyo, much to everyone's surprise just watched all of this silently. The whole time the red head had 'what can I do to really help the kid?' chasing itself around his brain. Kyo wasn't so sure why he felt such an obligation to the kid but he suspected it had something to do with the similarities between them.
As it was Kyo had been on the go for days and felt like he deserved a well earned nap, coincidently this idea struck him while he was right in the middle of taking some of the last boxes to the attic, so naturally he ditched them in the middle of the hall and hopped out the nearest window. Clambering onto the roof Kyo yawned and stretched out under the suns warm gaze.
Ready to fall asleep Kyo let his mind wander, some out-of-the-usual-even-though-we-aren't-like normal-people things had been happening lately, Kyo groaned as his body settled down. He was really hoping for a good sleep because lately Kyo had been falling asleep and having this really weird dream, the thing was when he woke up he couldn't remember what it was, it felt like someone was telling him a story over and over but he just wasn't getting it.
"Weird" Kyo hummed to himself as he drifted off. His last conscious thought was that Tohru was going to send Yuki out to find him for dinner soon, and then Kyo was asleep.
Do you want to here a story little one? This is a tale just for you, I will tell you a story that has long since faded to legend. And it's truth was skinned to mere thread.
Once upon a time long ago the spirits of the beast and land traveled often between their spirit world and the
humans land called earth a place that was full of life. The gods allowed such roaming and even had
disastrous meetings with the humans on occasion.
In the humans world there was a land that a god who called himself and was called by all "The
Jade Emperor" For the Jade palace within which he dwelt with his beloved sister "Saki Crystal" named
for the pureness of her heart. The Emperor and his sister watched over a land that was run with beautiful
forests, and within these forests away from the humans lived spirits that mischief together but so adored
their woodland home.
Watching over the forests lived thirteen animal spirits who honored The Emperor as the lord of
their land. This story my beloved child is that of a rat spirit and that of a cat spirit and the actions that led
what now must be rectified.
Tell me child of the cat, do you remember your beloved rat? Does it frighten you when the spirit
that resides within you calls for him? I beg of you, for you and your kin that have been so terribly affected
by my foolish brother, Don't. let. Him. Get. Away. Be happy with the one your soul had cried out for, for so
long. I beg of you, end this foolish game and be happy, young cat.
Kyos eyes shot open, 'where did she go?' Kyo thought, the person that had been telling the tale. It took a moment for Kyo to get his Barings, He could feel the warm roof under him and feel the cool breeze, ok he was on the roof. 'a dream? But it all sounds familiar, maybe this is what I've been dreaming of for a while now.'
"Hey you awake now?" Kyo's head followed the voice and saw Yuki sitting next to him, the boy was crouching next to him and Kyo bet that he had been startled when Kyo woke up so suddenly. "What do you want?" Kyo demanded kinda peeved that Yuki was invading his roof.
"Its dinner time, so come if you want…and Shigure says that Momiji will get here tomorrow morning." Yuki added as an after thought. Kyo nodded and turned away full prepared for Yuki to leave, he was confused when he didn't hear the sounds of the rat getting the hell away from him. Looking back at Yuki he could see the boy was just staring at him with those deep eyes. "What?" Kyo asked annoyed.
"What where you dreaming about?" Yuki asked after a pause. Now it was Kyos turn to stare. "Why do you want to know?" Yuki shrugged, "you look different when you sleep." Kyo's head whirled around to get a good look at Yuki 'what a odd thing to say' Yuki's hair was ruffled by the breeze as his bangs flowed in front of deep clear eyes. His mouth had a quirk to it that was almost a smile but more of a questioning look .
Kyos heart skipped a beat
"I…I just was dreaming about…" Kyo said to fill up space, then he paused I was dreaming about "I beg of you- Be happy with the one your soul has cried out for so long." That voice the woman, Kyo was vaguely aware of Yuki sitting up straighter and looking at Kyo in alarm when Kyo's eyes glazed over and fell to half mast, she was talking about a cat spirit and…and 'Rat!'
Kyo could hear bits and pieces of what Yuki was saying to him but it was like he was through a fog, Kyo thought absentmindedly that the cat would probably like Kyo to go and get him, it seemed oddly attached to Yuki.
And then "IDIOT" the world came rushing back.
Yukis voice broke through "What is wrong with you?" Yuki demanded "You got a fever or something stupid don't go all dazed!' Yuki was yelling at him. "What the hell tone it down will you Im just kinda sleepy, I heard you the first time I'll be down for food in a sec!" Kyo yelled back, Yuki looked at him deadpanned and then "Whatever." he said blankly and climbed off the roof without looking back. Kyo sweat dropped
Kyo bit his lip and watched him go, there was something wrong with him lately and he didn't like it, he felt like he was gathering soggy pieces of a puzzle but it was pointless. Kyo sighed and shoved all his mind clutter to the side, this could wait. He was hungry and the damn rat would eat it all if he didn't get there. And to top it off Momiji came tomorrow, 'well whatever' Kyo thought as he headed off to eat.
"Damn" Kyo whispered. Standing vacant eyed in front of the car that Hatori had drove him up in stood Momiji. "I'll take your things inside." Hatori told him as he walked by with a suitcase, Momiji gave no outward sign that he had heard, he just stood there, Kyo's eyes creased in worry and when he looked up and met Yuki's he could see that worry reflected in his face.
For the first time, everything Momiji had been through showed outwardly.
"Damn." Kyo repeated. "That isn't going to fix anything." Yuki told him softly. Kyo didn't even have the heart to tell him to shut up. Yuki stirred next to Kyo, the cat watched as Yuki slowly walked over to the broken blond. "I…I" Yuki trailed off, he just didn't know what to say, the hand he was going to place on Momijis shoulder fell to Yuki's side instead and the Rat looked down letting his bangs cover his eyes.
To Kyo's surprise he felt a familiar rage start to boil in his gut, 'God they're all the same, feeling a little pity and worthless shit if you aren't going to do anything about it, if you aren't going to acknowledge me the go the hell AWAY!' Kyos mind screamed. Kyo took a slow breath and paused, this wasn't about him this was about Momiji, 'but its kind of the same.' Kyo thought as he squinted his eyes to get a closer look in Momijis dead eyes.
'There it is'. The anger and the hurt, but what was really there, the one damn thing that it had taken Kyo years to even be willing to think about in full sentences. The one damn idea that he had repeated over and over inside his head as he sat alone in the corner of his room when the world was too much to bare.
Why won't someone help?
Kyo felt himself take a step toward Momiji.
Just look at me. I'm here. I'm alive
The next few steps took Kyo to the edge of the porch "Rat go inside." Kyo hissed, Yuki looked up in surprise "What are you-" But Yuki must have seen something in Kyos eyes because after a moment he left.
What did I do to deserve this, even when someone says "sorry" like they have any damn idea!
Kyo hopped off the porch and stepped into the sun.
I just wish someone would
Kyos was picking up pace
Anyone would
Kyo was a foot from the child
Treat me like Im a real person!
SMACK
The sound rang out through the yard, and Momijis dead eyes opened in surprise as he fell to the ground. He looked around like he couldn't figure out who he'd ended up there, after a moment he focused dazedly on Kyo his cheek was red from the slap. For a second Kyo felt guilty and then Momiji spoke up "why?" He asked softly. Kyo could see him start to close off again as he looked up at the cat, there weren't even tears in his eyes. "Because I need you to listen to what Im about to say…" Kyo reached forward and tilted Momijis head up so he could look him dead in the eye.
"Man up." Momijis mouth opened with confusion. "Your problem." Kyo said slowly "IS that you want the ideal life with mommy and daddy and precious baby sister," That seemed to be to much for Momiji, and his eyes teared up, he looked like he had the world and every soul in it on his small shoulders. "What do you know?" He said tiredly, Kyo frowned. "I know that everyone- your family worked very hard so that you could be happy here, I know that everyone was so worried."
Momiji bowed his head "I know but…it just doesn't make the pain go away." He said his voice was small. "I know" and then Kyo smiled softly and Momiji looked up at him. Kyo's face was gentled his eyes shown with pain, for himself and for the boy in front of him. "I know,…but that doesn't mean you can't have a family, look at me I found a father who whisked me away and he taught me something so important."
"What?" Momiji asked, "What could some guy teach you that makes everything ok? I fell like it will never be ok" Momiji trailed off into a whisper 'there it is' a spark of the real Momiji was shining through the hurt child that had taken over. Kyo cursed his luck on having to say something gooey for a second but looking at the child with eyes way beyond his years Kyo relented " He showed me…He showed me that happiness isn't just not being completely unhappy." Kyo said slowly
For a moment the wind was the only noise as the cousins stared at each other, then Momiji let his bangs fall in front of his face, his mouth was a dangerous flat line. "I wish I had a dad who would whisk me away from my life." Kyo's heart beat faster as the child's shoulders started shaking, and when Momiji looked up Kyo felt his heart plummet. There where tears in his young hurt eyes and for just a moment Kyo was looking at himself seven years ago when his own master had given him a chance for a better life.
Kyo fumbled for words. "And now…I mean its not gonna solve everything, but- haven't you been whisked away too?" Kyo tried in a effort to give the kid something to grab on too. The tears fell silently down the blonds face and Kyo hesitated as he tried to recall what Master would do for him.
Even if I would never admit it I just wanted someone who cared to…
And as Kyo knelt down as he saw Momiji reach out afraid of the rejection he had gotten before, from his own mother even, and as the blond clearly wondered what the cat wanted with him, long arms reached out and he pulled the boy close locking him within a hug.
Thank you so much master for taking me away and for…being there to hug.
The one damn thing a kid with a screwed up family wanted, it didn't matter that Momiji was fifteen Kyo understood and when after a moment Momiji started sobbing into Kyo's shirt, sobbing for everything he was never going to have, A mother to love him, a life where he could just be. And Kyo understood, and when Momiji whispered a quiet "Thank you" in his ear, he knew that the child was going to need some help to stand on his own and with a sinking feeling Kyo had the idea that he may of just volunteered himself.
Kyo's eyes snapped open wide as a huge thought struck him, If I try to pull back from this kid or be anything but completely lovable to this kid he won't trust anyone, if he figures people are gonna pull back after some nice words! That's what I thought with master, if he ever tried to confine me or didn't pay enough attention to me I instantly was suspicious of him, years of practice.
Kyo looked down at the boy who was hanging on to the only person who could understand him completely, and with panic Kyo saw the fragile trust in those brown eyes as they looked up at him. Oh shit. This was happening faster then Kyo could handle, he just wanted to give the kid some sea legs, Not become…what? 'What my master was to me.? As Kyo looked down at Momiji and after a moment of brown eyes searching Kyo's red ones the boy slowly offered him a hesitant and small smile. It reminded him of-
Kyo looked up at the man who it seemed like had come to be his own personal superhero, Kyo figured that if he could place his faith in someone just one more time and they didn't let him down then there was hope, slowly fighting all of his doubts and praying that just once there would be someone he didn't have to hide from- hesitantly Kyo offered a small careful smile.
Kyo knew he only had a few seconds to respond before Momiji withdrew, The blond was fifteen, much older then Kyo's nine years when he had been taken away, but still it was just like back then. The brown eyes looking at him wavered and he watched as the blond who was usually so cheerful got a look of rejection, back when Kyo was in Momijis shoes he had just wanted…
"I just wish some one would accept me."
Kyo let his bang fall in front of his eyes and then in an instant his arms tightened around the boy. "Come on Momiji let's go inside the house." Kyo said softly, and the boys head jerked up, and Kyo watched as hope filled the boys eyes. 'Maybe it will be alright I mean he and I aren't the same person maybe he won't need me so much?"
Kyo rose to his feet and didn't say anything when Momiji kept hold of his hand, "Are you ready to come inside Momiji-" Kyo looked up and saw a startled looking Hatori observe Momiji standing so close to Kyo with life in the wide brown eyes that had no feeling in them when he had left Momiji. Kyo watched as Hatori's eyes traveled to the hand Kyo had intertwined with Momiji.
The dragon spirit host threw Kyo a questioning look and Hatori's eyes widened when Kyo just offered him a small tiered smile.Truth was Kyo didn't know what to say, he barley understood the situation as it was, but…still there was a kid who was glad he was around, and that was just fine, he figured.
Kyo looked up as Yuki stepped next to Hatori in the door frame.
Kyo tensed himself for what Yuki might say but instead the rat just looked Momiji over and then he looked Kyo dead in the eye, Kyos mouth went dry, Yuki studied Kyo for a second and then a rare moment of understanding was passed between the two. Hatori watched with a raised eyebrow as Yuki and Kyo nodded at one another, one saying that he was leaving everything to him and the other saying that he accepted that.
'Looks like things are getting scrambled up really good' Hatori thought, his face unreadable. 'I can only pray the result is good'
Things progressed faster then I originally planned but I guess its ok. I went a few days without writing and then came back and my Mojo was gone, so Im gonna review the series to get it back. Anywho next chapter Im really gonna try to work in some more um touchable Kyo/Yuki so lets see how that works out.