A/N: Yay! Because you're reading this, that means that I have gotten 5 reviews for this story! Lucky me! With any luck, I might actually get 30 reviews! I feel so special!
RECAP
" Hm…Shizuko. That sounds familiar. Wait! Are you the daughter of Keiji and Amaya Sohma?" Shigure-san asks.
" Huh? Yeah, that's my mom and dad. Why?"
" Because I remember that they had a daughter named Shizuko. They said they were going to try to keep their daughter safe from outside world."
" Really? So she really has never seen a guy before."
" Well, I have, but just family pictures and TV. And I do have memories from before I was put in captivity." Wow, I can't believe I'm learning more about myself just sitting here than I ever have talking to my parents. This is so strange.
" And I know what animal you are!" Shigure-san announces. I can't believe it! I can find out what animal I am without having to hug anyone! This is great!
" So? What animal am I?" I ask, a little excited.
" You are…"
"…The tiger!" Shigure-san says. The tiger, huh? That explains why I could run so fast! I still can't believe this! I know, I must have said that a million times by now, but really!
" That explains why I was in captivity all my life and why my parents wouldn't allow me to leave the house! It was because they never wanted me to know of the curse. But, why? I mean it seems as though all of you have known all of your lives, so why was this fact hidden from me?" I think out loud to myself.
"I'm not sure. Your parents were very overprotective all their lives. They were always against having the children know the truth. Since none of them were actually theirs, they had no say over what happened to them. I guess they had to put all of their ideals into your up-bringing," Shigure-san answers my question, that was actually rhetorical, but getting an answer of some kind isn't bad. I nod in comprehension.
"So, uhm…Shigure-Nii-san…?" I ask, a little uncertainty in my voice.
"What is it, Shizuko-chan?"
"Well, since I can't go back home… Do you think it's alright if I stay here a little while? Only until I can figure out where to go, that is!" I end quickly.
"Oh, I don't mind at all, though I'm not sure where I'd put you…"
"Uhm…Shizuko-san, if you don't mind, you could share my room…" Tohru says shyly.
"Really? I-I don't mind at all! That is, if you don't mind…"
"Not at all!" She says with a smile. I smile back.
"Well, now that that's been settled, I believe there are some matters that need to be taken care of," Shigure-san says. Why is he so cryptic?
"Like what?"
"Well, you did just run away from home. You're parents will be looking for you."
"That's right! But, they'll defiantly find me sooner or later…"
"Maybe you should go to the main house, just to clear things up a little. You could also meet the other Sohmas," Yuki-kun suggests. I nod in agreement. Meeting my family members will be fun! Maybe I'll meet everyone in the photo albums!
"If you go to the Main house, you'll have to meet Akito, you understand," Shigure-san tells me. Akito…Now why does that name sound familiar? Maybe someone from the photo album? Hmm… I look around at Yuki-kun, Kyo-kun and Tohru. They all look a little edgy… I wonder why.
"Uhm, are you alright? You all seem a little…edgy…" The three of them look up at me.
"Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it, " Yuki-kun tells me.
"Yeah, you don't understand yet, so you don't have to think about it," Kyo-kun says. I nod slightly. I seem to be nodding a lot.
"Oh yeah, I just thought of something. If we turn into animals when hugged, will it also work with members of the family?" I ask, curious for the answer.
"Well, you see, it's different. We don't know why, but when hugged by someone else with the curse, we don't transform," Shigure-san clears up the fog.
"I see… Well, that's good to know. So, when should I go to the main house?"
"I don't see why not today. The sooner the better! I think I can get Ha'ri to drive."
"Ha…ri?" I rack my brain trying to see if I recognize the name. Nothing comes to mind.
" Oh, that's what Shigure-san calls Hatori-san, the doctor of the family!" Tohru explains cheerfully. Oh! Now I recognize the name! I've heard of him before!
"Thanks, that clears things up! Uh, Shigure-Nii-san? When can we go? Can you call Hatori-san now? I want to be done as soon as possible."
"I could call him, yes. But are you sure you're up to the trip? You did just wake up from fainting!" I blush slightly and look down, embarrassed.
"O-Oh yeah… Forgot about that… Sorry! I was just a little too overwhelmed. Actually, I still am! But, I want to get everything cleared up so that I have time to process it all later." Shigure-Nii-san and the others nod.
"Alright, I'll call up Ha'ri. Be right back!" He leaves the room and the other three turn to me. I sigh slightly. I pull myself up into a proper sitting position, my hands in my lap. Tohru places her hand on top of mine. I turn to her and smile slightly and she returns it with a big, warm one.
" Just so you know, I really am so sorry to cause so much trouble! I had no idea that leaving my house would put such a burden on other people."
"Quit complaining! You should be happy that we were the one that found you! Otherwise, who knows what coulda happened!" Kyo-kun says angrily. I shrink back.
"I-I'm sorry! I'm not trying to sound ungrateful or anything! I just don't want to get in the way of anything!"
"Stop making her apologize, you stupid cat. She's starting to sound like Ritsu." Yuki-kun says angrily at Kyo-kun.
"Hey! It's not my fault she feels guilty! She's probably done something pretty bad to make her react like that!"
"Don't imply such stupid things. She did just arrive in the real world. She had no time to do anything stupid, unlike you."
"Grrrr! Shut up! You wanna fight!"
"You want to humiliate yourself in front of her before she even really knows you? Go ahead, I don't care."
" That's it! Bring it on, Rat Boy!" Suddenly, the verbal fight evolves into a physical one.
"Uh-uhm, Tohru? Shou-shouldn't we stop them? They seem like they'll really hurt each other."
"Uh, well…It's usually like this," She replies with an apologetic smile. We sit and watch the fight. Kyo-kun's throwing punches and kicks but Yuki-kun masterfully dodges and blocks all of them. Yuki-kun roundhouses Kyo-kun in the stomach and he goes flying out of the paper door.
"Ahh! Ky-Kyo-kun! Tohru, will he be alright!" I ask, panicked.
"Uhm, I think so…" We look at Kyo-kun who pushes himself up. Whew, at least he's not badly hurt. Then I look at Yuki-kun. He doesn't seem as though he'd be so strong, but that was amazing.
"Oh no! Yuki! Why are you breaking my house again?" Shigure-san asks, coming into the room, tears running down his cheeks.
" He was being rude to our guest. He wouldn't apologize, so it led to this," he explains quickly.
" Shigure-Nii-san? What did Hatori-san say?" I ask, expectantly.
"Well, he won't be able to come for a while, so we still have time."
"Okay. So…now what?" My stomach rumbles and I blush embarrassed.
" Well, I guess you're hungry. What do you want to eat?" Tohru asks me politely.
"Uhm…I'm not sure. Why don't we go see what you have?" She nods and helps me stand up. "I guess I'll help make lunch. We'll call you when we're ready, okay?" The guys all give a different affirmative. We go down the stairs to the kitchen.
"Let's see… Oh! You have leeks! I love leeks!" I say, smiling.
"I could make that, but you see…Kyo-kun hates leeks."
"Oh…okay… Maybe we could make something else for him?"
"I guess so…"
"Oh, Tohru, I'll make Kyo-kun's lunch. I'm not that good at making large amounts of food. But, I can make something for Kyo-kun. What does he like?"
"Oh, uhm…Anything except leeks, spring onions and miso when it's not soup. "
"Okay, let's see…" I go into the freezer and take out some salmon. "Does he like salmon, Tohru?"
"Oh, yes, he does!" She says with an affirmative nod and goes back to preparing the leeks. I smile. I'm good at making fish.
"Lunch is ready!" We call as we finish up everything. We go to set the table and place the food out.
"Tohru, do you think I did this right?" I ask, pointing to the salmon.
"I think so. I'm sure it's great! Uhm…you can put it…here. That's Kyo-kun's seat." I put his plate down and we start putting out rice bowls and cups as the three guys come down.
"This smells great, Honda-san."
"Thanks, Sohma-kun, but Shizuko-san helped."
"Well, thank you, Shizuko-chan,"
"Glad to help!" Kyo doesn't look so happy when he sees the leeks.
"I HATE LEEKS!" I wince at his loud voice.
"Uhm…K-Kyo-kun…"
"WHAT!"
"Sorry! I just wanted to tell you you're not having leeks! I made salmon for you…" His expression softens and he looks guilty.
"Sorry for yelling at you… And Thanks for the salmon." We all sit down, Yuki-kun glaring at Kyo-kun for yelling at me.
"Itadakimasu!" We start eating. Tohru and I serve the rice and leeks. Kyo-kun eats his salmon quietly, still slightly mad at himself. Yuki-kun and Shigure-san are eating happily.
"This is really quite good, Shizuko-chan. You're a pretty good cook." I blush the slightest bit.
"Thanks. I didn't do much though…"
"That might be true, but Yuki's right. You are good at making food. Don't you agree, Kyo?" I turn to Kyo-kun. I hope I made the salmon right.
"Yeah, I guess." That's all he comments. I hope that means that the salmon's alright. We continue eating in comfortable silence and I contemplate my new discoveries. Maybe I'll learn more at the main house. I hope so!
A/N: hey guys! How's that for chapter two? I know I've only got two reviews, but I promised to work on my stories before my b-day on Wednesday (Oct. 5) Anyway, don't worry. Just because Shizuko's the tiger doesn't mean I get rid of Kisa-chan. That'd just be cruel! Also, I'd like to thank my reviewers. I dedicate this chapter to you guys: DsDarkRose and kaous! You guys are the only ones to review, so I thank you! Oh, and if you review, it'll be your birthday presents for me, so please click the little button on the bottom!