Kisa and Carmen walked out of the entrance of the school, classes finally over. Before she realized it she asked, "Kyo?"
And there he was, the red-head himself was standing before her or well leaning on a wall.
He looked up at her, "Shigure told me to pick you two up. He went to see Akito today."
Carmen gulped. She had completely forgotten that she could lose her memory. Great.
She clapped her hands together and closed her hands together and whispered to herself, "Please oh please oh please God don't let them take away my memory. Besides you owe me for taking Mom and Josh. Oh Jesus now I'm black mailing god. Does that count as a sin?"
Kyo laughed, "You know your crazy, right?"
Carmen blushed, "Oh you heard my little talk with God? Stupid heightened animal senses. And yes Kyo I am perfectly insane. Hope you don't mind it. A lot of people seem to."
He shrugged, "Your not that bad. Trust me, I met worse. Much worse."
Kisa grabbed hold of Carmen's hand and started towards Shigure's house.
Carmen asked concerned for her best friend, "Hey Kisa, what's wrong?"
Kisa spun around tears welling up in her eyes, "If they erase your memory I won't be allowed to be with you and you'll forget all about me."
Carmen hugged the girl, "Hey no matter what happens you'll always be apart of me and I you. They may be able to erase my memory but they'll never erase my love and I love you Kisa your the best Best Friend I've ever had."
She squeezed Kisa's hand for full effect and she nodded.
Kyo watched the whole exchange awkwardly. He never had someone say something like that to him. Maybe someday though...
He shook his head. Who was he kidding he was a monster inside and out.
Carmen looked back at the deep in thought Kyo, "So why did Shigure have you come and fetch us. How old does he think we are? 10? It's not like I couldn't protect myself." She whipped out her tazer an item her father insisted was a necessity for every 13 year old girl.
Kyo's mouth dropped open, "You carry around a freaking tazer?"
Carmen stuffed the tazer back into her pocket, "Yep, good ole dad. I've never got to use her though."
He told her, "Well feel free to use it on Shigure, the pervert. Who know's what really goes on inside his head?"
Shigure's head- "High School Girls! High School Girls! High School Girls!"
Everyone shivered at the thought. And they laughed.
Before they knew it they reached the house and Carmen felt Kisa tense up. If she had looked behind her she would have found Kyo was also nervous though he wouldn't admit it in a million years.
She felt numb. This was it. After she opens theses doors she may or may not remember the most wonderful people she's ever met. Her and Kisa's friendship could be over without even her say.
They all entered the main room were Shigure, Tohru, and Yuki were already sitting.
Shigure lifelessly said, "Please, sit."
He held his chin in his hands and everyone was on pins and needles awaiting Shigure's news, "I apologize Miss Vey but you will have to remember us for the rest of your life."
Carmen gasped and she immediately sobbed into Kisa's shirt out of happiness.
She cried, "Thank you. I-I can't believe- I swear I won't ever tell anyone your secret. I won't!"
Kisa was also crying and grasping Carmen as though she were the air. Everyone sighed in relief and smiled at the pair.
Tohru was so happy that Kisa would keep her friend. She remembered when she first met Kisa. She wouldn't even talk. Now she laughed, cried and smiled with this nice girl. It just made her heart full of cheer.
Suddenly a platinum blonde haired boy with chocolate eyes ran in yelling, "Hey everyone! Hey Tohru! So where's this Carmen! I wanna meet her! I wanna meet her!"
Carmen whiped her eyes and stood, "Hello I'm Carmen. How did-"
The boy squealed and ran up and hugged her. There was instantly a puff of smoke and the young looking boy turned into a white rabbit.
Kyo yelled, "Momoji you idiot!"
Yuki stated, "I wouldn't be talking Kyo. You are the one who gave away the Sohma curse...twice"
Carmen pet the rabbit, "Aww Momiji! Your so cute! *cough* Anyway how did you know my name and exactly who are you?"
Before the boy rabbit could answer a dark haired man about Shigure's age stepped inside. Shigure welcomed this man warmly, "Hatori what a pleasant surprise!"
The men continued to speak as Momiji answered Carmen's questions, "I over heard all bout Shigure going to Akito about you and I wanted to meet you! I'm Momiji by the way. Momiji Sohma ."
She nodded, "I guessed so considering you turned into a rabbit."
He appeared to be smiling, "Wow Carmen your so smart!"
Kyo growled, "Shut the Hell up! Every time you open your mouth it bugs the crap out of me!"
There was a puff of smoke and Momiji was in his human form literally crying, "Kyo's being mean to me! Waa! Kyo's being mean to me!"
Kyo yelled angrily, "Put some clothes on you idiot!"
Momiji, "Waa!"
After Momiji put his clothes back on Carmen asked the man, "Let me guess your a Sohma too, right? Why are you here as well?"
Hatori pushed up his glasses, "You are correct I am a Sohma and I only came to accompany Momiji."
Carmen curtsied, "It's good to meet you sir. Oh wait was I suppose to bow or curtsied? I can't remember. I think both are acceptable but still I should really learn more about the Japanese culture -"
Hatori interrupted, "I just came here to accompany Momiji."
Carmen blushed and wringed her hands, "Right."
He looked at his watch, "Well I took you Momiji now it's time to go. Care to accompany us Kisa?"
She smiled, "Sure Grandpa Hatori! If that's alright with you Carmen."
Carmen waved the comment off, "It's fine I'm sure I can find my home by myself go on ahead. See ya tomorrow!"
She smiled, "See ya!"
The threesome left and Tohru asked, "Would you like to stay for dinner Carmen?"
She shook her head, "Oh no I couldn't. Dad get's off work early today. Thank you for the offer."
She made her way to the door when Shigure shouted, "Drop by anytime my dear! Everyone else does! Kyo why don't you walk Carmen home."
Kyo shouted, "Damn it Shigure! Stop volunteering me for stuff!"
Carmen insured, "It's fine If Kyo doesn't want to really! I can protect myself. Besides he walked us here from school which I'm sure was a bore."
Kyo now called at her, "You assumed wrong. I-I didn't mind picking you up. I- Let's just get you home."
He then caught her elbow and pulled her outside. She blushed and whispered, "Thanks Kyo."
He waved her thanks off though a blush crept onto his cheeks as well, "Don't sweat it! I wanted to get away from that damn rat and dog anyway."
She studied his face, "I see." Liar.
He then asked, "What's your Dad like?"
She smiled, "He may not be perfect but he's the best Dad I could ever ask for. He is very logical and strategic the funny thing is how much he believes in destiny. He's also loving but has always been anti-social with outsiders. His only major fault for me was his drinking problem after you know but that's all water under the bridge and we have begun our new lives fresh here and our new bond. What about your father?"
He didn't respond at first but then he outburst, "He disowned me the second my mother died. I was then adopted by my Master he is the greatest man I ever met. He never runs away from a challenge and has taught me so much about the martial arts. Whenever I see him my blood races and I prepare for anything. I then ask myself, "What am I going to learn today!" You probably think it's stupid though."
Carmen couldn't believe the admiration that shown on Kyo's face when he spoke of his master. It was like he was speaking of a great war hero. For all she knew he was.
She told him firmly, "I don't think it's stupid at all. That's how I felt whenever I visited my grandmother. She was an immigrant from Norway. She taught me so much about their way, culture, and her trials as being a female immigrant. It was amazing. The thrill of learning something that you were so passionate about. I haven't felt like that since she died a few years ago but I'll never forget the rush. I hope I'll visit there someday. I'm sure you think that's stupid I mean it's defiantly not as exciting as martial arts."
He smirked and stated in a playful tone, "Well you've got me there."
She shoved him playfully, "Cold hearted bastard!"
He shoved her back, "Cut throat bitch!"
They both snorted and before she knew it Carmen found herself on her front porch.
She stopped, "Here we are. Home sweet home."
Before either of them could say another word the door swung open displaying Carmen's father wearing a kiss the cook apron.
He announced, "Welcome home Carmel Cakes! I made your favorite! Spaghetti and meatballs. I made enough for your friend too if she wants to stay over."
Just then Carmen's father realized that it was not Kisa who accompanied Carmen home but an older red-headed boy.
He crossed his arms, "Carmen Renee Vey who is your friend?"
Carmen glanced at Kyo sending a silent apology, "Hey Daddy! This is Kyo Sohma. One of Kisa's cousins. He offered to walk me home. Wasn't that sweet of him Dad?"
She was sugar coating Kyo as much as she could. Her dad could be a bit over protective when it comes to boys. How ironic since last night they had just talked about he wanted me to be wary of boys and here I show up with a strange high school student that he has never met or heard about. It must look positively fantastic.
He ignored the question and asked, "You had your taser with you?"
She nodded, "Of course."
He nodded and then had a stare down with Kyo. Carmen felt so bad putting Kyo through all of this. He looked so uncomfortable like any sane man would be against a girl's loving father.
After the next thing her father said she wanted to shoot herself, "Why don't you stay for dinner?"
"What!" asked Carmen.
Poor Kyo obviously had no idea what to say to an invitation like this. Dad smiled, "Well then it's settled. Come on in you two!"
Carmen's father hurried ahead to serve the bowls. As soon as her father was out of hearing distance she pleaded, "Oh my gosh I am SO sorry! I had no idea he would act like this. In fact I had no intention of the the two of you meeting. If you hate me after this I fully understand."
Kyo answered, "It's fine, don't worry about it." His voice was an octave higher than usual which meant he was nervous and eager to please Mr. Vey.
She took one of his hands and gave it a comforting squeeze before quickly dropping it afraid of her father seeing.
They rounded the corner and were smacked by the delicious smells of spaghetti and meatballs.
Kyo asked puzzled, "What did you say it was called?"
Carmen answered, "Spaghetti and meatballs. It's Italian."
He scratched his head, "Italian? I don't think I've ever had that before."
At the other side of the room you could hear the gasp that emanated from Dad's lips. His eye twitched and he almost dropped the bowl he was holding. "You've never had Italian! You poor boy! Carmen we are having your friend over hear more often. No Italian? That's just a crime!" The only thing her father cared about more than her and boys was food. Typical male.