First and foremost, i want to apologise to my readers and reviewers for being a jerk for not updating for sooooooo long! I'm so sorry..TT_TT I know, I'm a dissapointment. yes...Don't forgive me! i do not deserve such forgiveness! oh, and my grammar still suck! so i'm sorry for being such a jerk at grammar too..TT_TT

disclaimer: i do not own FURUBA..TT_TT

Chapter Fifteen

It was a quiet Wednesday for Kyo. Quiet and peaceful. He inhaled a deep breath, his eyes closed. The air was nice in his opinion. The place was very quiet and calm as he sat still at a spot at the porch of his room. Kyo heaved a sighed. Peace at last...he told himself as he smirked. Then he opened his eyes slightly, rolling his eyes here and there...Now where the heck is she?

Kyo turned his head searching for a certain face. She's not here yet is she? Oh yeah, its Wednesday isn't it. She's usually late on Wednesdays. Kyo then heard his stomach grumbled and sighed. I wish she'd hurry up, I'm starving. Kyo frowned. After a few moments he stood up and stretched his arms and looked around him once more. His middle grumbled again, louder this time. He clutched his stomach wearily.

"Urgh...I really need to get something to eat. This place is huge; there must be something eatable around here." Kyo mumbled as his clutch on his stomach tightens. "Argh! Where is everyone anyway?!" He looked around him once more; there must be someone around this place. "Urgh...Never mind, there must be something in the kitchen." Kyo turned around to get back into his room to go to the kitchen, but then he stopped in his tracks. He blinked. "Where the hell is the kitchen anyway?"

That's when he realised he doesn't know where the main house's kitchen is located. He then remembered that the maids were the ones who usually brought his meals to his room as well as Tohru who would often brought his favourites whenever she visits. He growled. "Dammit! Where is everyone? Its past noon already and I hadn't even had any breakfast yet. Urgh..."

"Is there something the matter, young man?"

Kyo startled as he heard the feminine voice behind him. Kyo turned his head towards the said voice. There, behind him stood three females at the yard a few metres away from him. Kyo frowned. Now, who the heck are they? Kyo examined the three women. Two of them, he presumed were her maids, judging by the way they're wearing. The middle one was quite familiar looking, though he was sure he hadn't met her before, whether before or after his accident. This one was tall, with a long trait of jet black hair, curvaceous body and was very luscious looking face. His frown deepened.

"Who are you?" He asked spontaneously. The woman in the middle smirked. "My name is Ren, and I am a Sohma just like you."

Kyo was taken aback at this. She talks as if the Sohmas are some sort of species or something, he thought, but said nothing. He merely shot up one of his eyebrows. The woman named Ren walked (or maybe glide, since he can't see her feet) closer to him. Close enough that he can feel her breath on his face. Kyo jumped a foot backwards away from the woman. Ren snickered.

"So you're the said Kyo?" she smiled. Kyo stood still, not responding. "You're not such a bad looking boy," she came nearer. "Not bad at all." Kyo walked backwards slowly, intending to get away from the woman. He's not feeling a slightest bit secure around this woman so he continue walking but had to stop since his back hit the pillar. His eyes darted back and forth around him, praying for anyone he actually knew to pop up and save him. He'd be even thankful even if that particular person is Yuki or Momiji. Ren laughed at him seeing his frightened expression. Her maids smirked and giggled. Kyo's face was red as he held his anger. Ren then put one of her hands on Kyo's cheek, slowly stroking it.

"You're such a shy boy aren't you?" Kyo pulled away from her hand and frowned.

"Don't touch me," he growled. "I don't know who you are and I don't know what you want from me. Why don't you just go and leave me alone!" Kyo turned, climbing the porch. Ren's smirk vanished in an instant. She watched Kyo's back as he walked into his room. A moment later she spoke again.

"It must be frustrating, isn't it, to not remember anything?" Kyo stopped walking. He rolled his eyes towards her, but remained in his position. "Of course it is," Ren continue, "Every other person in this mansion knows about you, and you don't know anything..." Ren climbed the porch, now standing right behind Kyo's broad back. "...anything about yourself." Kyo then glanced at the older woman, whose smirk was so evident. She leaned closer to his right shoulder and whispered to his ear, "You're the lonely boy who was shunned by your own family, this family." Kyo twitched. His eyes widened. "You're the lonely boy who they claimed a murderer." Now Kyo turned his head to face her. His face was unreadable as he stuttered, "W-What?"

Ren smirk widened as she walked towards him, who backed away. Ren cornered Kyo until his back hit his bed, which Kyo clumsily sat on. Now she had his full attention. "You don't know do you, dear?" She said slowly. She stroked his face lovingly, "Oh, you poor, poor boy. They hid this from you, didn't they?"

"Hid what? What do you mean by murderer?! W-What are you ta--"

"Do you know about your mother, Kyo-kun?"

Kyo stayed quiet for a moment. "She died, they told me she died!"

"Do you know how she died, dear?" Ren stroked his lips with her thumb. Kyo slowly shook his head. His eyes never left Ren's face. Ren leaned closer to his face, and said with a sympathetic expression on her face. "She was murdered." Kyo's heart thumped madly; his breathing shortened and hard. "W-Who—"

"It was you," she said, "you are the one who killed your mother...Kyo-kun"

Kyo's eyes wide, his mouth agape. He felt as if he was electrified. He felt goose bumps all over his back and neck. I-I can't have...I wouldn't have...I didn't... He then bowed his head. "I-I killed...my mother?" He asked quietly under his breath. Ren pulled his chin up and continue stroking it lightly, "it's okay dearest, I'm here with you." She put his head on her chest and stroked his fine orange hair. "I'll always be here with you..."

And I won't ever let you go... She smirked.

***

"So you mean to say," Yuki said as he munched his biscuit, "that the person who hit Kyo was a Sohma?"

"Or, maybe someone who's working for a Sohma," Kakeru nodded his head as he too, chewed his biscuit absent-mindedly.

"And you get this information from...where exactly?" Yuki stared at his best friend with his eyebrows deep under his bangs.

"A hunch."

"A hunch?" Kakeru nodded confidently. Yuki sighed. "Ah Kakeru, we cannot just assume someone do these things because of hunch. We cannot accuse someone to court just because of hunches, for goodness sake! And what exactly makes you think that it's a Sohma who did those things? That guy might be some, some bystanders or something. Or maybe he isn't even a he! Maybe it was a woman who did this!"

"Or maybe even a heshe!" Kakeru said brightly.

"Yes!" Yuki said, triumph. "That's what I me—" Yuki's face then turned gloom. Kakeru smirked...well, he was; he sure wasn't anymore since Yuki gave him a fit, hard and rightful punch on the head.

"Ehem, okay maybe not a heshe..." Kakeru muttered under his breath as Yuki glared at him. "Well, back to business. Okay, let just assume that the person is a guy," he emphasised, "and a Sohma."

"Why a Sohma?"

"Okay first of all, you told me that the Orange Stud have some personal problems with your family right?

"Had some personal problems, yeah," Yuki corrected him.

"All right, whatever. And you're a Sohma so that makes your family a Sohma too. Now, from what I can conclude, I—"

"Conclude? We just started investigating this and you have already concluded?" Yuki blinked.

"Yeah, yeah I did. Now shut up and listen won't you," Kakeru said as he shoved the blackmail letter onto Yuki's face. "For one, like I said, like you said, that Kyo had problems with your family before, right?" Yuki nodded. "And this letter," he waved the letter leisurely, "was sent to your family head, right?" Yuki nodded again. "So, not everyone can get inside your family's main house that easily just to send letters like this—"

"What's the use of postmen Kakeru?" Yuki took the letter from his hand. "This letter was sent by mail, not by hand."

"Still, just think. Does your cousin ever have any brawl with anyone at school or some other place before? Well, with anyone except you that is," Yuki growled at this; "Does he?"

Yuki shook. "Not that I heard of."

"And you told me he had problems with his dad?"

"He still has...They're still not in a...uh...good relationship right now."

"Why's that? I mean, what happen between them anyway?"

Yuki shifted in his seat. "It's...complicated. And the one who knows best about this is him. And he, as we very well know, is not in a condition to tell us anything." Kakeru nodded, frowning a little. Yuki was a little surprised. He'd never seen Kakeru this serious before and now, there he is, sitting with his brows knitted together, and his chin in his hand; his dark eyes never leave the sheet of paper in front of him.

After a few minutes Kakeru looked up at him, with the seriousness in his eyes. "We need help with this."

"You figure that much?" Yuki smirked.

"Well, I thought we could do this. You know, like detective thingy we used to do at school!" Kakeru beamed.

"We never did any detective thingy at school! Don't talk nonsense, you baka!" Kakeru pouted; then a silence.

"Now what?"

Yuki stared at his friend for a few moments. He then turned his gazed at the letter and picked it up. "We have to find this guy," Yuki's eyes darkened. Kakeru's eyes widened as he looked at his mate. The atmosphere around the smaller man gloomed a darker shade of violet. "Whatever happens, we'll find him. He'll pay for what he did to my cousin." Yuki crumpled the letter firmly in his fist.

And Kakeru shuddered. "Yun-yun..."

***

Kazuma sat silently as he stared directly at the garden. He sat there for God knows how long, remembering vividly the conversations he had almost three hours ago. A spiteful conversation he ever had in his life.

"You raised that monster! You'll regret it!"

Kazuma shut his eyes slightly and frowned. "That boy was supposed to die! And don't you dare tell him anything about things he doesn't need to know! I'd prefer him not knowing me or my family, ever!"

His brows almost knitted together in the middle as his frown deepened. He knew now, as he always does, the main cause of all this. And Kyo, the boy needs to know, need to remember, everything that happened before the accident, and everyone around him. Kazuma opened his eyes slowly. His face sullen, his lips formed a thin line. At that exact time, Kunimitsu walked into the room.

"You call for me, Kazuma-san?"

Kazuma was silent for a moment before humming his answer. He turned his head and glanced at the young man behind him. "Kunimitsu," Kazuma started, "I know it is unwise of me to drag you into the Sohma family matters, but you're one of those very few people I trust." Kunimitsu was taken aback at this statement, but remained quiet as he listens closely to Kazuma as the older man continued. "And I trust that you would serve me well, as you always do. If it not much of a burden to you, I wish to ask you...a favour..." Kazuma calmly said.

Kunimitsu nodded. "Of course Kazuma-san, please...ask me anything. I'll try my best to accomplish it for you." He bowed.

Kazuma exhaled a deep sigh and turned around to face the younger male. "I want you to protect my son when I'm away."

"You're going somewhere?"

"Yes," the older man nodded once briefly. "I have an unfinished business to attend to. You may ask Yuki and Hatsuharu to help you out, or maybe Kagura. Kyo wouldn't be an easy task. But whatever you do, keep him safe. His life is what important now." Kunimitsu nodded his head. He had never seen Kazuma this serious before, and truth be said he's having goose bumps at the back of his neck by just seeing Kazuma's angered facial expression. "What about Tohru-san, sir?"

Kazuma looked up to him, apparently thinking. "Yes, protect her as well. Both of them. Inform Shigure and Akito about this matter. If they ask anything, tell them I'll explain everything once my business is done. For now, you, Yuki, Haru and the rest of the Sohmas; protect them both." He stood from his sitting spot. "I must go now. I leave everything to you, until I get back. Can I trust you with that?"

"Of course sir," Kunimitsu nodded hastily and watched silently as Kazuma nodded his head and walked out of the room, leaving him behind.

***

Tohru was walking down the path to Hatori's house, where her love life is currently located. She was pleasantly happy, with a basket full of fruits she brought from Kazuma's place, and was humming. Being a clumsy person she was, Tohru accidentally bumped on a person's back (or maybe front, she didn't exactly paid any attention when she was walking) and stumbled onto the floor. The other person too, fell onto their back with a loud BAM!

"Oh my goodness!!" Tohru quickly raised herself up, "Oh my, I'm so sorry! I didn't see you! I'm sorry! Oh dear, are you okay?" She tried to help the person but her hand was slapped away.

"Keep your dirty hands off me!"

Tohru's eyes widened at this as she quickly reacted by pulling her hands away from the person. It appeared that the person she just bumped onto was Kaoru, the main house head servant. "O-oh, I-I am sorry, Kaoru-san! I didn't see you! I'm so—"

"Save your breath. I don't want to talk to parasites like you!" And with that, she shoved Tohru out of her way and left. Tohru merely watched the back of the older woman and bowed. She heaved a deep sigh and continued to walk the other way.

Twenty minutes later Tohru arrived at Hatori's house. She knocked. After several attempt without any response, she let herself in. "P-pardon me...Hatori-san?" she whispered. The house was dead quiet. Feeling a little guilty for entering without permission, she crouched and walked soundlessly towards Kyo's bedroom.

Tohru was so excited to see Kyo that she planned on surprising him as she opened the shoji. But when she was about to opened the shoji she heard whispers and mutterings from inside the room. She stopped walking and stood quietly behind the shoji. The whispers and mutters then lessened after a few minutes. Tohru heard footsteps and waited. Moments later, after she was sure there's nobody's around, she opened the shoji and walked into the room.

She looked everywhere inside the room, but discovered that the only person in the room was Kyo, who was sitting on his bed, looking outside the window. Tohru looked around the room again. "Um, Kyo-kun? Were you talking to someone just now?"

Kyo merely sat there on his bed, unmoving. "Kyo-kun?" Still no response.

Tohru walked towards him, putting the basket on Kyo's bedside table. "Kyo-kun? Are you alright?"

Kyo remained immobile. Then, a few seconds later he turned his head slowly. He then looked up at her; his face expressionless, his cheeks wet and shiny of tears and his eyes, Tohru gasped as she saw that Kyo's eyes were red raw, and lost their shine, lifeless.

"K-Kyo-kun? What happen? Who was here? What did they do to you?"

Kyo bowed his head. "You lied," he whispered. Tohru stared at him, "p-pardon?"

He looked up at her again, staring straight into her eyes, "YOU LIED!!"

And that was all Tohru heard from him before she was shunned out of the room.

ps: yes, you guys hate me,i know...and i want to apologise to my reviewers for not replying your reviews! i'm a jerk!!! ARGHAAHAHAHAHA!! MAMA, YOU MUST BE DISAPPOINTED FOR HAVING ME AS YOUR DAUGHTER!!! WARGH!! TT_TT -sniff- u guys can review if you want, i won't blame u if you don't (though i really hope you do) just please don't flame me.. i'm not ready for that yet..Y_Y