Chapter 7: Feelings
(Akito's POV)
She seems happier today at least. That crying was really starting to get on my nerves. The girl didn't even realize why she hurt so bad when it was so obvious. She loved them, every one of those stupid animals, especially Yuki and Kyo. I wonder if they had any idea what kind of power they had over the girl's emotions. It was disgusting... foolish.
It was snowing, the first snow, and it was cold but that didn't seem to bother her at all. No she was holding out hand and looking at it with an almost childish innocence. She hadn't thought to take a pair of sandals but at least she was still on the porch and had a blanket around her shoulders.
"You really want to catch a cold don't you?" She turned around and smiled brightly.
"Good morning, Akito. It's snowing." That was obvious.
"So what. It's cold." Didn't she have any sense at all?
"Yes but it's the first snow of the year and it's so beautiful. Don't you like the snow Akto?" She looked at me with those big hopeful eyes as always, seeming to hope for a pleasant word or something. Just yesterday she was a mess, crying and lying on the ground, crying and apologizing and now she was back to smiling.
"How is it you find happiness in the stupidest things?"
"Stupid?" She thought about it a moment. "I suppose I understand why you might think that but I don't think so, not at all." She clasped her hands behind her back and smiled. "When it snows it means the New Year is close by."
"What's so great about that?"
"It means the year is over and it's time for something new." I put my hand on her face. Two years ago I had wanted nothing more then to get rid of the girl who looked at the world as if it was a mystical place, the girl who had taken my animals away from me. And now I didn't want her to leave, ever. I was furious at those animals, those stupid, selfish fools that she cared about so much.
"I don't understand you at all." She put her hand over mine as if it were the most natural thing to do.
"I guess I am a little different huh, but you know I think that could be said about anyone especially you, Akito." I narrowed my eyes.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I didn't mean it as a bad thing, not at all." She pulled away and had a panicked look on her face, not because she feared my temper but because she thought she had offended me. "I just mean that you aren't like anyone I ever met before but I guess that sounds bad to... I guess what I'm trying to say is that is good to be different and um..."
I grabbed her chin and made her look up at me. "You're rambling again."
"I'm sorry I just..." I kissed her again and she shut up. I suppose if I had known it was that effective I'd have done so to begin with but then I suppose that would make it lose meaning all together.
"You talk too much especially when you're nervous. Do I make you nervous, Tohru?" Her face was red and she was trying not to look at me. She really was amusing sometimes.
"Not really."
"You aren't that good at lying." I told her simply. "Look at me when you talk."
She looked at me and smiled. "Okay so maybe I get a little nervous but it isn't because you make me nervous. It's because I really like you, I like you a lot Akito." She clasped her hands together. "I really don't understand why I'm so embarrassed about that, not that you embarrass me, I just..."
"Let's go inside before we catch a cold." She said she liked me like it was a natural thing. No one had ever said that to me before, not even my parents liked me. I suppose I was just a burden to them, a child born to die but they were wrong. I'm not dead.
"I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable." She said after a moment of silence. "But I meant it."
"Why would anyone like me? It isn't as though I'm a nice person."
"You're nicer then you think and you don't even try. I mean sure you've said some pretty harsh things sometimes and it hurt but mom always said actions speak louder then words. You didn't have to invite me here, or go on walks with me, or put up with my rambling but you have and when I was sad you had a way of making me feel better. I'm grateful, so grateful to you Akito even if you do get annoyed with me I just hope that there will come a time when I can be there for you. Not that I hope you get sad or..."
"Enough." She had done something for me and she was too foolish to see it. "You try too hard."
"I guess so... Oh no! What time is it?" She looked at a clock and so did I. Somehow it was already six o'clock at night. "I'm late for work! Oh no, I have to go but I don't have any shoes. I'm such an idiot...." I actually laughed for the first time in my life it seemed. It was a feeling I wasn't used to and it actually hurt but I couldn't stop.
After everything that happened she was worried about work. It was so stupid especially since it was a Sohma company.
"Akito?"
I pulled myself together and went to the servants quarters knowing there were extra cloths and such. I got what she needed. If she wanted to go to work after all that had happened good riddance. I went back to her and handed her cloths. "There, now go."
"I guess I can change at work. I'll see you later tonight, Akito." She stood on her tip toes and kissed my cheek before running off. I blinked actually surprised.
I guess no matter how simple someone seemed there were still things that could surprise you. At least she had pulled herself together, somewhat. But I had to wonder how she'd react when they came for her which I was certain they would.
They had foolishly left her alone and brokenhearted and then had such a strong reaction when they found out she was coming here. Maybe they did care about her or maybe they were just selfish either way I would not make it easy for them. They were going to pay for what they had done. I'd make sure to see to it myself because of how she felt about them and because I knew she'd never be able to feel that way toward me.
(A.N. I sure hope I kept Akito in character. I did my best. Hope you all liked it. Next chapter the boys show up. What will happen? ^_^. Please Read and Review)
