Chapter Eight: Insecurities and Naps
Author's Note: I apologize for the wait! I didn't feel like writing last week, and then the Sixth Harry Potter came out so would've needed a few days to digest that information, and to not follow the urge to run J.K. Rowling down and kill her. But then that Saturday I got sick with a stomach virus that no three people in my family have. So... yea. When I did think of writing it always looked like it was going to strom really bad, and the Auto Recover on Word only works when it wants to, and I didn't want to start writing, have the power go off and loose all my stuff. So, whatever. I know this isn't that good of a chapter, but it's the best I can do. Sorry. I APOLOGIZE FOR AYAME'S SONG! I know it sucks, but I wanted to put something so...
THANKS FOR ALL THE REVIEWS!
Kyo sat down on the ground, exhausted. He had been with Shishou all day at the dojo training. He had been frustrated to learn that he didn't remember anything that Shishou had taught him over the years. He should have thought of it sooner. It didn't make sense if he had been able to do the things he had when he was sixteen now that he was five. Not being able to do it didn't bother him as much as forgetting what Shishou had taught him. He remembered only what he had been taught once he had been turned little. He didn't understand why he remembered everything else, but martial arts. He had voice this aloud hoping that Shishou would have a answer, but the man didn't. "It doesn't make sense though," the child said as they walked down the street back to Shigure's. "Why would I only forget that?" Kyo latched his arms around Shishou's neck as the man picked him up when they came to a busy intersection.
"I've already told you that I don't know. Remembering all those things wouldn't do you any good anyway. You wouldn't be able to do them in your small body so what difference does it make?" he asked kindly as they crossed the street and continued down the sidewalk.
"I know I wouldn't be able to do them, but it annoys me that I can't remember. Wouldn't you be annoyed if this happened to you and you forget everything you had ever learned about martial arts?" Kyo was not going to let this argument go though he wasn't entirely sure what he was arguing about. Shishou sighed. He knew he couldn't win the argument though he wasn't sure what they were arguing about.
"Yes, I would be annoyed, but I can't do anything to make you remember anything. We'll start your training again if you want. That's the only thing I know to do." Shishou put Kyo down as they neared the house, going in through the front door. The instant they walked in they could hear Ayame singing something in the next room. Kyo frowned. What stupid thing was he up to now? Why in the world did he always have to be so annoying? Shishou and Kyo continued into the next room to see Ayame twirling around the room with a smiling Yuki in his arms. Occasionally something Ayame was singing would make the child laugh, but neither man nor child had worked out the lyrics to Ayame's wonderful 'brotherly bond' song. Ayame stopped mid-sentence and mid-twirl as he spotted Kyo and Shishou.
"It's wonderful! It's so wonderful! He's laughing! Can you believe it! I made him laugh! Me! I made him laugh!" The man was obviously too ecstatic to say much more and continued with his song. Kyo simply stared at the pair, not seeing why it such an accomplishment that the rat had laughed. He shook his head at the pair and went toward his room. Shishou smiled at them, not even attempting to say anything and followed after Kyo. The child had not even attempted to work out the lyrics to the song, but Shishou was listening intently and finally heard them. Ayame started out low, deep, and serious, but as the song went on he got higher and higher and faster making it nearly impossible to understand.
Many, many years ago
A child was born,
Possessed by the most evil spirit
The snake!
Ten years he lived with no
Unexpected surprises
But a huge surprised was to come.
A baby brother!
But was he to bond with this new child,
Possessed by the even worse spirit of
The Rat?
They were so different,
Oil and vinegar, some would say
Completely separated until
You shook them up
But would there ever be enough shaking
To bring this two together?
The years passed for each of them
The snake living happily, oblivious
To the Rat's plight
The snake was barely aware of The Rat's
Presence, the disobedient child that his
Parents sought to get rid of. The Rat
Disappeared for a few days to The Snake's
Understanding. The naïve Snake assumed
The Rat was at a friend, playing happily.
Never would he have guessed he was locked
In a pitch dark room, being hurt by the head of
The zodiac. Would he have even gone if he had
Known that the Rat was there?
The snake knew the answer. It was no.
He didn't even remember The Rat's name then.
There were so many years between them. How
Were they supposed to bond? His parents,
Finally fed up with the Rat's 'disobedience'
Sold him for many, many indulgences that the
Snake happily took part in, but as the Snake grew
He realized how a huge, terrible mistake he had made.
He never should've treated the Rat, his brother, Yuki,
So horribly. Why was he trampling over that which was
Most precious? The real question was how to rectify
Himself. How could he make up for all those lost years?
Would the Rat want to make up for all those years?
It seemed like he did not. Everything the Snake tried, the
Rat shot him down, still hurting, but the Snake was
Persistent. He was not a quitter and he had full
Confidence in himself that he could deepen their
Brotherly bond. At times, it seemed hopeless, even
To the Snake, but them a mixed blessing came.
The Rat, to his horror, was turned back into
A Six-year-old!
The Snake was stunned when he heard the news
But was also ecstatic. This would be the perfect
Time to finally close the gap that had grown
Between them. But it wasn't the fun and games
He had imagined. The Rat was in utmost pain,
Terrified of getting close to someone, terrified
Of being put back in the pitch dark room, and
Terrified of being hurt again. But the Snake
Knew this was when the Rat needed him most.
He had to step up and be the one Yuki needed.
The child needed comfort, love, and security.
The snake would offer him all that, and he was
Determined to do just that, even if he had to leave
His more carefree side for a while. It didn't matter
How he acted as long as it made Yuki happy.
But there were many obstacles in their path
Yuki wasn't talking! He wouldn't even say a word!
This worried the Snake to no end. What if he
Couldn't succeed in getting the child to talk?
But then, a miracle happened.
Yuki laughed!
The rat laughed!
The snake had gotten the rat to laugh!
He was closing the gap between them!
If he were laughing, then he would be talking
Soon! He had to be talking soon! And it would be
The Snake's doing! He was so happy he didn't know
What do with himself, but he knew as long as he
Persisted in helping that which was most precious,
Everything would be fine in the end.
Shishou lightly shook his head at the absurdity of the man's song, but he did have some valid points. It certainly did seem like he had managed to finally deepen their 'brotherly bond,' and if he had succeeded in making Yuki laugh then talking certainly wasn't far off. "Shishou!" Kyo called from his room. The man walked quickly in his shared room with child and knelt in front of him, smiling.
"You never could manage to get your shirt all the over your head," he laughed. He pulled the shirt off creating a loud sucking noise that sounded sort of like vacuum cleaner. The child frowned lightly at the man's comment, but didn't say anything since it was true. Shishou went into the bathroom, wetted a washcloth, and washed the child's sweaty face. Ayame was still singing once Shishou has gotten Kyo cleaned and changed, making a frown cover the child's face.
"Why does he have to sing so loud? It's annoying. Why are we staying here anyway? Why can't I move into the dojo with you?" Shishou shrugged while pulling out a deck of cards from one of his drawers.
"We didn't think it would be good to make you move. There isn't really any point in adding the stress of moving onto everything else, and Akito said to stay here though I could care less what the heck Akito 'ordered' me to do, though I know you do. And so does Ayame so to make things simpler Ayame and I moved in here." The frown stayed on Kyo's face, bottom lip out in a slight pout.
"I just wish he would shut up. He's starting to give me a headache," Kyo whined. Why did have to leave with that stupid rat still? They had been getting along a little better, but now that he was little again their old thunderous relationship was back. Expect that he couldn't fight Yuki yet. He knew the child wouldn't fight back yet, and what was the point of fighting if your opponent didn't at least present a challenge?
"Let's play Rich Man, Poor Man. Maybe it'll help get your mind off Ayame-san and Yuki-kun." They played several rounds of game with Shishou letting Kyo win most of them. By the time they ended Ayame had thankfully stopped singing, and it was almost time for Tohru to get home from school. Kyo looked out the window in his room. He was about to look away when something got his eye. Someone was outside, standing behind a tree. He couldn't see it was, but he knew it was a girl. As the person turned he frowned deeply. What was Rin doing there? Wasn't she supposed to be in the hospital? All thoughts of Rin were erased from him head as he heard Tohru come in. Kyo stood up from his spot on the floor, grabbed Shishou's hand and tugged.
Kyo went on out into the living room to see Tohru already greeting that stupid rat and his insane brother. He could hear Ayame blabbering on. "Isn't it wonderful Tohru! He laughed! Can you believe it?" Kyo was slightly satisfied to see that Yuki was blushing deeply, obviously embarrassed at his brother's actions. Tohru grinned widely though.
"That's wonderful, Yuki, Ayame!" Why in the world is that so wonderful? Kyo thought. Anyone can laugh, and he could talk if he wanted to. He just likes all the attention everyone is giving him. Shishou had moved forward to sit next to Tohru as Ayame went on to explain exactly how Yuki had laughed. Kyo could tell Shishou's attention was slipping from him to conversation they were having. He tugged on the man's sleeve trying to gain his attention back, but he simply held up one finger. Why wasn't he paying attention to him? Did he like the others better than him? He frowned worriedly as Shishou began talking to Yuki. Could it be possible that he did like the other better than him? Yuki and Ayame were both possessed by members of the zodiac, but they weren't 'the cat.' Had Shishou decided that he didn't like him anymore and only wanted to associate himself with those that were actually members of the zodiac? Had he only taken him to the dojo and played with him today because it would be the last day he had anything to do with him?
Kyo looked around the room, tears suddenly welling up in his eyes. What if Shishou left him just like his parents? His mother had died, and his real father blamed him for her death. His real father had called him a monster. What if Shishou had decided that he was a monster also? Shishou was the closest thing to a father he had, and was his father in every sense but blood. He didn't think he could take it if someone that he loved rejected him again. Kyo blinked and a tear ran down his cheek. He tugged lightly on Shishou's sleeve, but the man continued his conversation with Ayame. Maybe everything was in his head. Hadn't someone said something about side effects of that shot Hatori had given him? Maybe this was one of them.
"Oh, Kyo, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" Tohru's voice was laced with worry, a small frown on her voice. Everyone now turned to look at the orange haired child who was holding back sobs with difficulty. Shishou immediately tried to pick the child up, but Kyo had stiffened all his muscles making it nearly impossible for Shishou to pick him up. Why would he want to be held from someone who didn't want him anymore? He couldn't hold back the sobs any longer, the effects of learning martial arts all day beginning to kick in. He suddenly felt exhausted and every inch of his body began to ache. As a result, his muscles loosened enough for Shishou to pick him up and settle him on his lap.
"What's wrong, Kyo? Does your head still hurt?" Why was Shishou being so nice? Maybe this was a side effect of the shot. If Shishou really didn't want to see him anymore why was he trying to find out what's wrong? The confusion made him feel even more tired and more emotional. Shishou rubbed the child's back while telling it was okay, and trying to figure out why he had started crying so suddenly. Kyo finally calmed down; completely limp in Shishou's arms. His body was begging him to sleep, but his brain was telling him that sleep was bad, and that he needed to stay up and play. "Kyo?" The child moved his head against Shishou's shoulder to let him know he could hear him. "Does your head?" He nodded his head yes though it was probably from crying so much. Tohru stood up to go get the headache medicine, but Shishou shook his head, having figured out why Kyo had started crying so suddenly. He should've made the child take a nap the instant they had got home. He had forgotten how emotional the child had always gotten when he hadn't got enough rest.
He rubbed his back and stroked his head until he felt the child's breathe even out. Tohru was still standing up, a worried look on her face. "Is he okay? Why did he start crying so hard suddenly?"
"He's fine. I think he just got over tired, and he probably felt like I was ignoring him. We went to the dojo and spent the day there. He realized he had forgotten everything he had learned about martial arts and was determined to learn as much as he could today. If he doesn't get a nap he gets very emotional, or cranky, over the littlest things. I'd forgotten that. There was this one time when we were in the grocery store one day after training, he was exhausted but we didn't have any food at home so we had to get something, and the store was having this fundraiser thing for a little kidwho had cancer. The kid needed a bone marrow transplant and the family didn't have enough money to pay for the operation. You hear about those things all the time, and we'd seen some before when we were out places, but he just started bawling his eyes out in the middle of the aisle. And it wasn't like just now. He was very loud. I was getting some weird looks from the people in the store, and one lady even asked me what I had done to him to make him cry so loud. She was about to threaten to call the police on me for child abuse, but Kyo jumped in and explained about the fundraiser they were doing, and how sad he thought it was. The expression of disbelief on her face was hilarious. She apologized of course, but it was hilarious. He usually gets really cranky and that makes it easier to tell when he needs a nap. It's hard to tell when he's tired when he keeps quiet." Shishou took the offered blanket from Tohru and laid it over the child. "He'll probably sleep for a while. If you'll excuse me, I've got some phone calls to make."
Ayame turned to Yuki, who was beginning to look a little tired to. Wordlessly, Ayame laid Yuki down on the couch using one of the extra cushions on the couch as a pillow. Aaya smiled as the child scowled lightly.Yuki hadobviously realized his brother was trying to get him to take a nap. Even though he was by no means a 'normal' child, he hated naps just like all other little children. He thought himself to old for such a thing though he couldn't deny the fact that he was tired. Just watching Ayame dancing around and singing made him tired, but it had also been fun. He didn't think he would ever admit to his brother that twirling around the room with him had been fun, but it was the happiest he had been in a long time. Part of him, his teenage self, knew that most of that joy came from him being a child again. But the child part of him, the dominant one, told him to simply enjoy it and let his brother care for him. He had kept his eyes open, watching his brother leave the room. Maybe this meant he could get up and avoid the nap. Tohru was still in the room though. Before he could decide what to do Aaya came back with a light blanket in his hands.
Nii-san fluffed the blanket out before gently cover the sleepy child. Yuki tried to fight the sleep, but the blanket was very warm and comfy, and Ayame was tucking it in around him. This was what he had wanted that whole time while he was in that pitch-dark room. He wanted someone to tuck him in when he was going to bed, or laying down for a nap. It was what he had imagined, what he had longed for. He felt Ayame gently brush his hair off his forehead, obeying the man's command to close his eyes. He really didn't want to go to sleep, but his body was telling him differently. Before he knew it he was sound asleep. Ayame sighed as Yuki's breathing evened out. Tohru smiled up at him from her spot on the floor.
"Kids are tiring, aren't they? I helped watch some of the little kids in my apartment building sometimes, and they always wore me out. I'll watch him for you if you want to rest, or go do something else. I was going to do some homework anyway so it's no problem." Ayame smiled widely at her.
"You're such a kind girl. I really do need to unpack my clothes. I never did get around to it." He flounced off to his and Yuki's room, and Tohru could've sworn she heard him say, "He laughed!"