Chapter two
Chinese New Year Festival
(two years ago)
"Tohru what's taking you so long!?" Kyo began yelling from the kitchen, I was in my room getting prepared for the festival that was happening today. The school was putting on a parade for the Chinese zodiac and chose Kyo to represent the Cat float. Kyo was extremely excited about this position and I knew I couldn't miss it, nor did I want to. However I want to look my best to cheer Kyo and Yuki on while they represent their floats in the parade.
"I'm coming I'll be just a minute!" I yelled down from my room, quickly slipped on a dress and ran down the stairs and bumped smack into Yuki and he gets transformed into a rat.
"Right when I got the tie right too" Yuki says and looks up at me.
"I'm so sorry Yuki! I didn't mean to run into you! I should be more careful when going down the stairs, I should have known you would have been there, I will never run down the stairs again and I'll be extra careful from now on! Here let me help with your tie when you change back okay?"
"It's alright Miss. Honda, are you excited about the parade?" Yuki asked and I could see the smile upon his face even when he was transformed into a rat.
"Mhm! definitely excited" I answered and Kyo walked into the front hallway where both Yuki and I were.
"You're kidding me right!? tell me you didn't just hug Yuki to make me late! If I'm late it's all your fault Tohru" Kyo started yelling and glaring at Yuki.
"I- I'm so- sorry Kyo, I didn't mean to hug Yuki and make you late... I ran down the stairs and bumped into him and then he turned and I'm sorry" Yuki transformed back into human and I immediately shrieked and ran into the other room. I could hear Yuki and Kyo's laughter, and sat down on my knees.
"Kyo and Yuki giving you a hard time" Shigure says while entering the room not even dressed for the parade.
"No, not at all. I'm the one that's causing the trouble. I took too long on deciding what to wear, and I bumped into Yuki making him have to dress again, and now Kyo might be late all because of me" I spur out and Shigure laughs.
"Don't worry, Kyo would have made himself late someway or another although I hear that they're ready to go now"
"Aren't you coming Shigure?" I ask noticing him in his regular beige kimono.
"No I have a few things to finish up here" Shigure responds and I nod my head,
"I'll pick up some things from the festival for you alright?" I say while walking out to meet with Kyo and Yuki by the door.
Present day
I woke up to the sound of the alarm Yuki and Kyo had gotten for me a very long time ago. I turned on my side and looked at the calendar, it was the day of the festival the school was hosting for the Chinese zodiac again. I tossed my pillow at the calendar and shoved the blankets over my head. I can't go to school today and face all those people while they brag about all the different types of animals their are, not when the Sohma's are gone. I squeezed my eyes shut and covered my ears, I knew I couldn't stay in bed either... I had to go to school, If I didn't it would ruin my perfect attendance record. Yuki and Kyo wouldn't want to see me fail like this, I sat upright in bed taking deep filled breaths until I felt myself relax. "I can do this, it's just one day. Saki and Arisa will be there too…" I slipped out of bed and put on my school uniform, not bothering to doll it up in any form of animal costume. I walked down the stairs of the main house when I felt a strange presence. It was here again, that strange shadow that lurked in the dark corners of the Sohma property. I rubbed my arms and continued walking, holding my head up high and trying to shake off the unnerving feeling that was emanating from it. When I reached the kitchen, I noticed that the room was pitch black even though the curtains were drawn back and the sun should have been pouring light into the whole room. I stretched my arm out to feel along the wall for the light switch, I couldn't find it. I kept feeling, more bare wall.I sighed, knowing this was it's game. It loved tormenting me, especially on days like today where the Sohma's memories were always rushing in. I turned around, and began to walk in the direction of the front door to leave for school without breakfast when I felt arms encircling my waist from behind. They were cold, clammy hands, and they felt wrong… I froze in terror. I looked down, and I could see nothing but my own waist and creases in my clothes where it looks as if someone was hugging me. I tried walking but my feet wouldn't move, and I felt heavier too. The coldness spread to my back, where I felt the weight of someone behind me and cold breathing chilling down my neck to my spine.
"Tohru? Are you home?" Arisa's voice broke the illusion and everything around me stopped as the warm sunlight began to warm the chills from a few seconds ago. I turned around and the kitchen was bright and sunny, not even a hint of the shadow was present.
"It's gone…" I whispered to myself, and then headed towards the front door where Arisa and Saki were standing.
"We thought you might want some extra company today." Saki spoke, and Arisa nudged her a little.
"We got you cat ears to celebrate today, now we all match." Arisa said smiling and handed me a pair of black and white ears. I smiled back and placed them atop of my head, even though I had no intention of celebrating today, my friends always made me feel better.
"Thanks Arisa, their adorable." I said and turned to close the Sohma's main house door, but before the door closed fully I saw at the far end of the hall a dark omniscient figure and even though I couldn't see it's face or eyes I knew that they were staring at me. I firmly shut the door and locked it turning to face my friends and put my best fake smile on, even though I was unsure of my true feelings.
Authors Note: Finally Chapter ONE! I know, tis been forever since I even made an attempt to post anything new for this story. I hope for big adventures for this one, so uh leave a review, comment, feedback on anything C:.