Chapter 8: The Boy's Arrive
I woke up to a touch on the shoulder. "Akito, I'm sorry to wake you but it's almost noon and you haven't eaten anything. I'm sure you're hungry and if you aren't then I'm sorry. I..." I opened my eyes and she fell silent, a small smile on her face. "You had me worried for a moment. Are you feeling alright, Akito?"
"I woke up to rambling so what do you think?" I sat up and blinked at the sun coming in through the window. I guess I was tired. I stayed up until a ridiculous hour because she was running late. Why did I even bother, she seemed fine to me. "You were late last night."
"Well, I had to pick up something at Shigure's and I figured since everyone was asleep I wouldn't run into anyone and I was right at least but I guess I should've called. I didn't mean to worry you."
"Who said I was worried?" She smiled seeming sure that I was. I sighed and she set a tray of food in front of me.
"I made you lunch. I figured it was the least I could do."
"The least." I picked up the chopsticks and ate. As always her food was impeccable. Nothing bland and everything tasted good. My stomach growled in response and though I was annoyed she didn't bother hiding her laughter. I glared and she laughed even harder. "You find my annoyance funny?"
"I'm just happy you like it so much. You know when I first came here I really thought you hated me." She hugged her knees and rested her chin.
"What makes you think I don't?"
"Are you mad at me again Akito?" Her brows knitted together as she seemed to ponder what I could possibly be mad about. How could she be so stupid? Didn't she know by now how I felt? She was a little slow at times but contrary to what anyone might think she noticed a great deal more then people gave her credit for. Yet in the realm of emotions she really was a fool.
"You really are clueless."
"I guess so." Her face turned red and I kissed her forehead. I wouldn't correct her but I didn't want her to start crying again. She smiled and I started eating again. What was taking those stupid animals so long anyway? Why fight me for the girl to stay and then not come for her when she is gone? "Want me to get that?"
"I'm capable of taking a plate to the kitchen."
"Oh, I didn't mean..." I took the plate to the kitchen shutting the door before she could finish her usual rambling.
I set the plate down and Hatori was there. I looked at him, daring to make a comment. He didn't but he did smile as if pleased with something. I wasn't in the mood to argue. I wanted to hit someone, more specifically I wanted to hit that cursed cat and Yuki for being more stupid then I thought possible.
She was sitting at the table looking at a picture when I returned. "Who is that?" She jusmped obviously not expecting me to return so quickly.
"It's my mother. She died in a car crash the year I came to live with the Sohmas. When I'm worried about something or confused I look to her for advice you know?"
"How can she answer?" She was dead, and as far as I knew the dead didn't speak.
"She speaks in my heart. I guess that doesn't make a lot of sense does it?" I sat beside her and looked at the picture of the woman she obviously admired. She quoted her all the time and it seemed to comfort her though it was just a picture.
"Tell me about her." I said simply.
"Well, she never finished high school but she was really smart and always had good advice. When she was young she was in a gang and she used to tell me all sorts of stories like this one time..." I listened with half an ear and just watched her expression. I never really knew my parents and to be honest I didn't really want to, but she obviously knew her mother and cared for her a lot.
"When she died I felt kind of lost but I remembered what she told me."
"Which was?"
"To always smile. She really hated it when I was sad." And all those fake smiles made sense. Why couldn't she have given that explanation earlier?
"Well you've not done a very good job lately."
"Well um..."
"I suppose it's natural." She looked at me as I touched her face again. For some reason it was impossible to stay angry with the girl. She just was too... her. "You don't have to smile when you don't want to. That's foolish."
"Akito?" I kissed her again unable to restrain myself. How could someone like her make me feel this way? How could the way she said my name make me so crazy? It was irrational, foolish but I still acted on it. I pushed her back on the floor and watched in amusement as her face turned red but she didn't push me away.
"What the hell do you think you are doing?" The door must have opened. I'm surprised I didn't hear it. I looked over at the two people who I wanted to hurt more then anything. "Get off of her."
"Miss Honda?" Yuki's voice was shaky. Was he still afraid of me?
"Your timing is remarkable Yuki and Kyo." I moved off her and rose to my feet.
"Please don't fight. Can't we just talk about this like...."
"I've had about enough of you." Kyo threw a punch and I blocked it. I had figured he would move first. He was never really able to control his temper from what I understood.
I hit him and for all the training he certainly fell. "You're one to talk."
"Miss Honda, let's go." Yuki helped her up and was going to take her away. I turned on him.
"It certainly took you two long enough to show up." I pulled her away and raised my hand to hit Yuki. She grabbed my arm. "Aren't you angry with them?"
"Yes, I am but I really wish you wouldn't fight." Kyo didn't seem to agree but he didn't move. I let her go.
"Well they came. Do as you wish." I let her go and turned to leave and she took my arm again. "What do you want?" I turned and she looked at me with tears in her eyes yet again. She kissed my cheek as she had once before.
"Thank you."
"I'm going for a walk." I left and didn't bother looking back. Those fools had no concept at all of how much trouble they had been and she'd forgive them. I was sure of it and they'd want her home and she would. I'm sure she'd visit to be polite but whatever had been there if anything, would be over. After all she had her precious family back, what else she need?
