"Sissy, what are you afraid of?"
The question caught Tohru by surprise, and for a moment she didn't know how to answer. Kisa simply kept swinging on the swing set, not noticing Tohru's silence as she pushed her. The blond turned her head in Tohru's direction, and the brunette just smiled and shook her head.
"Well, I'm not afraid of much," she began.
"You were afraid of leaving us," Kisa replied calmly.
"How did you...?"
"Never mind," Kisa shook her head.
~(0)~
"We could kidnap her," Kyo suggested, and Yuki simply kicked him to the ground.
"Are you that idiotic? She would never forgive us. And have you forgotten our unique situation? If we so much as try to touch her, we change," Yuki said darkly, giving his cousin a look that screamed how stupid are you?
Kyo just grumbled, getting up from the dirt. After the revelation that Tohru was in a relationship, Kisa had diffused the situation by dragging the girl over to the playground, and making her Sissy push her on the swings. The boys, meanwhile, simply stayed where they were, lost in their own versions of stunned shock.
"I'm sure we could get the money to have someone else do it for us," Hiro spoke up, a smirk on his face. For once, his cousins actually considered his crazy idea.
"Nah, it could end up risky and put Tohru in harm's way," Momiji sighed.
"Well, then, there's only one thing to do," Hatsuharu decided. His family looked at him curiously. "Yuki, Kyo, go talk to her."
"Are you serious?" Kyo demanded. Hatsuharu's face remained impassive. "Why would she listen to that stupid rat?"
"She lived with both of you for some time," Hatsuharu said. "She trusted you, came to rely on the both of you. I don't think that would change. She may have hidden the bond in fear, scared, or simply needed to strike out on her own. Whatever the case may be, I know she still considers the both of you friends, family. She would listen to you, both of you, if only you know the words to say."
Silence.
"That was beautiful Haru!" Momiji finally exclaimed, tearing up.
The rat and cat exchanged a look, two complete opposites coming together for someone they truly cared for. They would have to work together.
"I still hate him, though," Kyo responded.
"The feeling is mutual."
"Go then," Hatsuharu said quietly. "Bring her home."
The two enemies shared another look, and then headed towards the girl who had wormed her way into their lives, and into their hearts. She was pushing Kisa on the swings, a smile on her face. But the boys could tell it was strained, and wondered what Kisa had said.
"Yo, Tohru!" Kyo called out. The familiar face turned to look at them, grinned a real smile, and then it faltered. It was barely any change, but the two Sohmas could tell it wasn't a her real, happy smile anymore.
"Miss Honda!" Yuki waved, and Tohru waved back, a little hesitant.
"Kisa, would you mind heading back to Hiro? He needs your assistance," Yuki said to Kisa. The little blonde girl got up quickly, hugged Tohru, and then ran towards the sullen Sohma. Tohru took Kisa's abandoned seat, looking up at the boys curiously.
"So, why Hojo?" Kyo gritted his teeth, and Tohru just gaped at him.
"Kyo!" Yuki hissed.
"What? I don't get it? What's so amazing about this guy anyway?" Kyo grumbled.
"Well, he's warm and funny, and nice and kind, and he...I don't know," Tohru shrugged, playing with the mulch at her feet. "He just...He was there for me. He helped me get settled in here."
"So did that Jing lady," Kyo replied. Yuki wanted to hit his cousin. When Hatsuharu had said, 'if only you know the words to say', Yuki seriously doubted he meant bring up Tohru's choice in guys. Even so, Yuki was a little annoyed at this Hojo person too...
"But anyway, I'm not exactly sure he's the one for me," Tohru whispered. The Sohmas looked at her like she was crazy. This Hojo guy was lucky to have someone as sweet and kind and loveable as their Tohru! "I don't know, I can't really explain it," she sighed, looking up into the sky. Mom, if you're watching, tell me what to do! You were supposed to be here to help me with this growing up business, and dating...I don't know...
"How are you liking your new school?" Yuki said.
"It's wonderful! My new classmates welcomed me with open arms, and the teachers...Well, there are some that aren't exactly normal. Jain says they're crazy, but I think they've just had some rough patches in their lives. People are the way they are for a reason right? And I think they're good people, deep, deep, down inside, but I can only be myself, right? And the food's actually pretty good! You should come on Taco Tuesday! It's this American idea, but tacos are really good!"
Yuki and Kyo smiled as they listened their friend ramble in her usual way. If they didn't try to slow the flow of words, Tohru could probably talk all day. And surprisingly, the two cousins didn't want her to stop talking. They liked the fact they were next to her, hearing her go on about nothing. It was one way they could make things up to her. They weren't there for her then, but they could be there for her now. And if it meant just listening to a long, crazy monologue, then that was what they would do.
And just like that, Tohru seemed to realize she was talking to much.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I've been going on, haven't I? Forgive me."
"That's perfectly alright, and there's nothing to forgive," Yuki smiled. Tohru just smiled, a real one that could light up a room. It had been a long time since they had seen their friend smile like that.
"But I think we got something to apologize for," Kyo began, his hair falling over his eyes.
"Oh?"
"We took you for granted," Yuki explained quietly. "We didn't appreciate all that you did for us. All the housework and chores you did,"
"But that's was my job-" Tohru tried to protest.
"Or how you took the time to meet and know every Sohma, and accept them even though we are what we are," Kyo added softly. "Even though I'm the Cat, you didn't treat me like some people have. You saw me as the monster I can be, and didn't run."
"You helped me see the world for what it could be, that it wasn't a cage meant to keep me in," Yuki said.
"You were always there for us, even when we didn't realize you needed us to be their for you."
"We're so sorry we didn't realize you needed us, that you were making such a hard decision, and we didn't even try to find out what it was! We're entirely selfish creatures, worrying about ourselves when you give everything to everyone else."
"Yuki, Kyo..." Tohru whispered, her eyes pooling with tears.
"We're sorry, Tohru. So, so, sorry," Yuki murmured.
"I'm not that good with words, so just forgive us and come home. Please?" Kyo muttered. A gasp escaped the brunette, her blue eyes wide.
"We know you think you can't," Yuki added quickly. "But you can. We can protect you, we have your back. You may not be a Sohma by blood, but you are family. And family protects each other. Kyo may not be the best at martial arts, but he at least knows the basic to keep you safe."
"Hey!"
Tohru giggled, wiping a tear off her cheek.
"You don't even have to tell us who's after ya," Kyo said. "We'll just look after ya like we always do. Like the rat said, we're family. Family looks after family."
"F-Family?" Tohru faltered.
"Miss Honda, after all this time you think you're anything less?" Yuki shook his head, bemused.
"Family ain't always blood. Arisa and Hana are you're family, and they're to crazy to be related to you," Kyo nodded, shuddering as he thought about the ex rebel and enigmatic, electric wave sensing girl.
"They're not crazy," Tohru laughed, shaking her head. "Not completely, at least."
"They miss you," Yuki told the girl. "You're friends haven't been the same since you left."
"I miss them too," Tohru whispered. "But I can't just pack up my life here and go back to Kaibara High!" she added hastily.
"If you did that back home I'm sure you can do it here," Kyo responded. Tohru just gave him a hurt look.
"I didn't want to. I wouldn't have left if I had a choice about it," Tohru bristled, her defenses coming back up. Yuki wanted to hit his cousin again. They had come so close!
"Then prove you didn't want to leave! Come back with us!"
"It's not that simple! I have a math test on Wednesday!"
"You wouldn't have a math test if you transferred back to Kaibara!" Kyo shouted angrily.
"You can't control my life, Kyo!" Tohru shouted back.
"Miss Honda, please," Yuki pleaded. "Kyo," he glared. "We didn't mean to come and upset everything. You know Kyo, he never was able to control his emotions all that well."
"Hasn't changed, has he?" Tohru softened a little bit.
"No, none of us have," Yuki said ruefully. "Actually, I think some of us have regressed since meeting you," Yuki chuckled, looking at his cousin.
"Hey! Why you-"
"So, Miss Honda, would you at least consider visiting? Just come back with us for a few days? I'm sure we can arrange a sabbatical from your studies...just for a couple of days of course. You can even bring your schoolwork with you!"
Tohru laughed lightly, shaking her head.
"Um, can I think about it? It's all so sudden..."
"Like the rat said, we didn't mean to make things hard for you," Kyo said.
"Um, would you like to come back to the Jing's with me? Meet the people I've been staying with?" Tohru said hesitantly.
"We would be honored," Yuki smiled.
~(0)~
"Where are we going?" Ayame complained. "This isn't the way back to my shop!"
"We're taking another detour," Hatori replied, looking at the other Sohma through the rear view mirror.
"Tottori High," Shigure mused, looking at the school sign. "Isn't this Tohru's new school?"
"Indeed."
"And we're here because?"
"The paperwork to transfer Tohru would be inside this building," Hatori explained, pulling into a parking spot. "Whoever did the paperwork would have left their name, or names, in the documents. In order to unravel part of Tohru's silence, I do believe it would be best to speak with the people who helped ship her off to this school."
"Ooh, so we breaking in?" Ayame asked excitedly.
"Please, we're gentlemen. And as such, we will use the front door."
"You are no fun, Hatori," Ayame pouted.
"If you want me to leak any embarrassing secrets to your little girlfriend at that clothing shop of yours, you will refrain from any more slander. Is that understood?" Hatori said pointedly. Ayame gulped, and nodded quickly. "Good, now let's go meet with administration!"
The mystery might finally become unraveled. Shigure mused. I wonder what secrets could be hidden in Tohru's high school...Hopefully, only secrets that lead to answers. I hate it when secrets only lead to more secrets...
"Shigure!" Ayame called. The black haired Sohma shook his head quickly to dispel his thoughts. His friends were already a few feet from the car, and he was simply staring out the window.
"Lost in thought again? I wonder, what did your gutter like brain conjure up this time?" Hatori sighed.
"I am an artist! I would never surrender my daydreams and musings to the gutters!" Shigure cried indignantly, quickly getting out and following the other Sohmas.
It was time to find answers!