So, not only one person but two whole people said they like the chapter theme songs, so... this chapter title is brought to you by "Natives" by Blink 182! Woo! :) It mostly applies to the second half, although the whole song fits Kyo himself pretty dang well, I think.
Kyo has stared out the window of the infirmary for so many long, consuming hours over the past five days that he feels as if he could go into a closet, paint a picture of the view, and every angle of every branch, every leftover leaf still clinging to a tree, every blade of freaking grass would be exactly the same. Well, that is, if he could paint. Which he can't. But the sentiment is still same. He has stopped, by now, fantasizing about being in the image, about experiencing it firsthand, and has instead begun using it as an escape, almost as a drug, allowing the sight to fill his mind to the brim and overflow so that no other thoughts have the chance to enter. This emptiness is a safe zone, a light nothingness that wards off the difficulties that are perpetually lingering, creeping on the edges of his consciousness. It feels as if his life consists strictly of dozing, nibbling, and watching. Occasionally, Kisa will come in, asking for a game of cards, but these are simply blips in the comforting, mundane routine.
He watches now, with a pleasant sense of catharsis, a numb sinking that leaves his mind foggy and his eyes half-lidded.
He blinks slowly.
His breaths are deep and slow.
WHAM!
Kyo jumps about six feet in the air at the door's crash against the wall. Ayame stands in the doorway, one fist on his hip, the other hand on the door.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Kyo shouts, the adrenaline rush from being yanked out of his mellow state still pulsing through his veins.
"You, my orange-headed friend," Ayame begins grandly, "are going outside!"
o.O.o.O.o
Tohru must have written close to thirty rough drafts. Twenty-nine of them ended up in the trash. For the last one, she forced herself to keep it short, simple, straightforward. Kyo is always straightforward.
Now, the folded strip of paper burns in her pocket as she stumbles through her shift at The Big Plate. She's on edge and shaky and keeps making mistakes that leave the tip money in her booklet below average. She jumps every time the front door opens – the bell leaving of pleasant tingling ringing in the air – thinking that it's Kasumi-san come to receive her reply.
She glances at the clock behind the counter on her way by.
11:32
Yesterday, Kasumi-san said she would come by at the same time, and she had left at exactly 11:37. She should be here any minute.
"Hello," Tohru greets her new table with a practiced smile, although she can't help wondering if they, too, hear the shake in her voice. "I'm Tohru Honda, and I'll be taking care of you today. What would you all like to drink?"
As they begin rattling off their orders and Tohru begins jotting them down, the bell above the door rings again. Tohru glances up out of habit, writes half of the next order, and freezes. Looks up again.
It's her. The same plain kimono, the same long, dark hair, done up in a bun this time.
"Uh, Miss?" One of the customers is garnering for her attention.
"Oh!" She gives a nervous chuckle. Swallows. "I am so sorry. What was that?" she finishes the order and rushes off, following Kasumi to her chosen booth, reaching her just as she sits down.
"Oh, Honda-san, hello." She lowers her voice. "Do you have it?"
Tohru nods, unable to open her mouth.
"Well… may I have it?"
"Oh! Yes, of course, I'm sorry." She digs around in the pocket of her skirt underneath her apron. Her fingers graze the mood ring that is always with her, and her breath hitches. She snags the note and gingerly places it in Kasumi's waiting hand.
"Thank you, Honda-san. I will give this to Momiji-san as soon as I can." Tohru nods and watches as Kasumi rises from the booth and strolls out the door of the diner, the bell tingling once more.
o.O.o.O.o
Kyo doesn't truly allow himself to believe his flamboyant, older cousin until the touch of bristly grass is gently caressing his bare feet and the crisp, almost biting breeze is gliding across his skin. It's late autumn. The air is cold. Kyo's arms and torso are bare save for the bandages, but he just can't seem to care as the air sucks the heat from his skin. He could raise the top half of his kimono, which always hangs at his sides, but the pleasant numbness of the chill is too great to fight.
If Tohru were here, she would worry about his health, and at his refusal for more clothing, would become frantic about his catching a cold.
The breeze swings playfully through the tops of the trees, and Kyo sways mildly along with them, yearning to be a part of their dance, to be a part of nature with no worries or cares or decisions to make. If he were a tree, he would be content with staying in one place, cycling through the seasons happily, at peace, sleepy, with no attachments save his roots in the ground, and even then, there is comforting security.
Kyo closes his eyes and breathes. As he opens his senses to all that is around him, welcoming every sensation he can possibly gather, he is dimly aware of the several pairs of feet scuffling up behind him.
He takes a deep breath. Exhales. Slowly opens his eyes.
He has only a spilt second to register the skin tone of the fist flying towards his face before – WHAM! – the familiar, searing pain of a punch resonates through his skull.
The force takes him back a few steps, but his balance remains as he clutches his nose and stares wide-eyed at the serene face of Hatsuharu.
"WHAT THE FREAKING HELL?!" Kyo yells at the Cow. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR?!"
"Well," Haru begins calmly, "I figured you haven't fought in a while. Might as well give you the chance when we have the opportunity."
Kyo stares at him for a moment, dumbfounded, still clutching his surprised, now-warm nose. "WHAT?!"
"Would you quit yelling and just get over here already? Come on! I've been gearing up for this fight for three years now. It's not right to just leave a man hanging like that. You gonna give up before we've even started? That's not the Kyo I know. I know that cell broke you down, but I didn't expect you to come out a pansy."
There are various "ooh"s and "burn"s from behind him. He glares at Haru before he turns to look and sees several of the Zodiac – especially the younger ones – including Ayame, who led him out here, only a few yards outside the infirmary, and Hatori, who, surely, is supervising, making sure Kyo doesn't get his existing wounds all screwed up. He locks eyes with Momiji, who wears a confidant, knowing smirk.
Kyo lowers his hand from his nose and straightens up. Of course this would have something to do with Momiji's maniacal obsession. So now, if he doesn't agree to help out with the plan – whatever the plan may be – he'll get the crap beaten out of him. Great. That's just great. That is so super freaking fantastic. He turns back to Haru, who is waiting casually.
"I'm not going to fight you." He tries to sound strong and determined, but the breeze is distracting, raising chill bumps on his skin and sending the cool, unmowed grass across his feet. He's breathing deep, taking in every scent, every molecule of fresh air, every moment that he possibly can, and he tries to keep it subtle.
"Why not?" Haru counters. "This is as good a time as any. Really, it's better because we have more space."
"No." Kyo sits cross-legged on the ground and rests his hands in the grass, curling his fingers around the smooth blades.
He's not altogether sure why he's refusing. He hasn't gotten to practice his art with a real, live opponent in so long, it would be good for him.
But this is the first time he's felt nature in three years. He doesn't know how long he'll be allowed out here, and he doesn't wish to spend his time in a fight.
"Alright," Hatori says from behind him. "Let's go back inside, then."
Kyo whips his head around. "What?! No, wait – " He stands, searching for an excuse, any excuse to stay.
"We brought you out here because Haru wanted a fight. If you won't comply, there's no point in staying."
It only takes a second for Kyo to rush to his opponent, already tense and already swinging.
The learned skill and conditioned reflexes come back easily, but he can tell he's out of practice. He swings and kicks and parries and dodges, all the while gritting his teeth against the ripping sensation his arms and torso, and basking in the crisp, cool freshness of the open air.
At one point, Haru clocks him in his side, and he cries out before rushing back at him, fiercer, angrier than before, his pain giving him the momentum that he needs to bite back.
He's taken back to Shishou's dojo, to his kind eyes and wise teachings. He can almost feel the soft fabric of his judogi instead of this heavy kimono that's only holding him back. He begins to channel that other Kyo, the feisty, antsy Kyo who couldn't sit still, who pounced at every opportunity for a fight. As that younger, stupider Kyo fills his body and raises his spirit, he starts to feel alive for the first time since he can remember. He grins, relishing in the strength of his fists, in the powerful grace of his kicks.
After a while – Kyo isn't sure how long – each of them has landed a few hits, but neither of them is near winning. He's vaguely aware of Hatori yelling something at them, but he's too fired up to care. He can't stop now. He finally has his strength back. He feels powerful, and that's a feeling he will not give up, not now.
Hatori yells louder and waves his arms. Others start yelling as well. He dodges and swipes. He notices for a moment a warm wetness spreading over his body, but he ignores it and swings. Haru's eyes go wide after he dodges as he stares at Kyo's torso.
"Stop!" his voice sounds like it's coming through a tunnel.
Kyo swings again. Instead of dodging, Haru catches his wrist and holds. Kyo undercuts with his other hand right to Haru's gut. The damn Cow catches that, too, and doesn't let go. Kyo wriggles and writhes and kicks, but Haru doesn't care. "Stop, Kyo!" he yells again. His eyes are fearful.
Someone grabs Kyo from behind under the shoulders and pulls him away from his opponent, dragging him kicking and screaming.
"Let – me – GO!" Kyo thrashes against his adversary. Hatori's face appears in front of him. His lips are moving, but no sound is coming out. A wave of fatigue suddenly comes over Kyo, and his limbs go limp. He leans against the person behind him. Hatori says something to someone else and points. The doctor's hand is covered in blood. Kyo's vision goes blurry.
He's aware of being laid down flat on the cool, damp blades of grass right before everything goes black.
Is it too soon to post a new chapter? I just really want to get to the one after this because, personally, I think that one's pretty dang awesome, but that may just be me. Also, does it make sense what just happened? I hope so...