Too Many Memories

Ricko's POV

I stand on top of high bridge above the huge river just miles away from the Sohma house. I'm nineteen and soon to be twenty now. I just managed to keep my sanity during those three years alone with only Akito and occasionally Hatori for company.

My silver hair whips around me in the breeze and I stare down at the water. I watch boats and people swimming in the water then sigh to myself. I rest my chin in my hands and look out into the horizon.

'Damn that girl, Tohru, she just had to set me up on a blind date two weeks after the curse was broken and I was let go.' I groan in my head. Living at the Sohma estate for three years in solitary confinement with Akito, Hatori, and the occasional maid only seeing me on most days was torture and mostly I spent my days curled up in the corner of my room clutching my pillow tightly in my arms.

I had seen the zodiac members every year for New Year's, but that was it. I'm sure it put a toll on the zodiacs that knew me well to see me so broken and empty every year. It got worse every year too, but I've been getting better very slowly now.

The curse had been lifted two weeks ago after Tohru had officially become friends with everyone in the zodiac and talked to them about their problems. She even spoke with Akito a little. The curse on everyone lifted after that and there is already a huge mood change in the entire family. They tore down the inner gates so the zodiac didn't have to just live on the inside and the outside members of the Sohma's can live in the center as well.

The only thing that hasn't changed is my personal curse. I can tell even without testing it out, which I would never do to anyone again.

While all the other zodiac members, including Kyo, have moved on for the most part and have opened up to everyone around them, I have kept my bubble and this time I'm not letting anyone in again. I'm alone, and if that is what it takes to not hurt anyone anymore, then I will stay like this for the rest of my life.

But, unfortunately, Tohru somehow convinced and/or guilt tripped me into a blind date that she set up with an 'old friend of her's.' It's one in the afternoon now, and I'm supposed to meet this guy at Ouran Academy, of all places, at three. So I have two hours to go back to my small home in the Sohma estate and try to make myself presentable. I sigh again and run my hands through my now tangled hair.

'Just one date, and it'll be over and done with. I'm make sure the guy knows I'm not interested and that he shouldn't be either. I'll be slightly cold, but still polite.' I tell myself and straighten up with my hands placed on the rim on the bridge in a position that to anyone else, it would look like I am about to jump off.

I guess my suspicions were correct, because, suddenly, a hand grabs my shoulder and roughly pulls me away from the edge, "Hey! What are you doing?!" A male voice questions me and I turn around to meet hazel eyes that I know so well.

But they don't remember me.

'Kaoru…'

I gulp nervously and manage to speak in a steady voice, "I'm just enjoying the view. Is there a problem with that?" I force myself to yank my arm out of his grip.

"Well it looked like you were about to do something else." He counters and crosses his arms across his chest. His expression is disbelieving and I choke on my next words.

'I can't get close to all of them again, no matter how much I want to. All I have to do is just leave it alone and their lives will go on as nothing has changed. None of them could ever remember me anyway.' I tell myself firmly.

When I focus back to the outside again, Kaoru is staring at me expectantly, waiting for me to answer something.

I speak harshly, mostly to drive him away, and to further convince myself of what needs to be done, "What?"

"I asked you if you need to go to the hospital. I can drive you," He repeats in agitation, "if you want." His voice turns a bit soft after that.

I can't force my eyes to meet his so I focus on a lamp-pole behind him, "No, I'm fine." I look at my phone when it starts to ring and I choose that as a perfect opportunity to step away from him and answer the call, "Hello?"

'Ricko, are close your house yet?! I need to get you ready!' Tohru exclaims frantically; I pull the phone a bit away from my ringing ear.

I grimace, "I'll be there in twenty minutes, and I have two hours to get ready, why are you so worried already? I haven't even left yet."

'We have to go shopping to get you some nice clothes!' She exclaims in surprise, like it's the most obvious thing in the world that we have to do. 'And then we have to do make-up, your hair, and-'

"Hey, calm down. I already bought a dress and I have some make-up in my bathroom that'll go with it just fine." I reassure her softly. "Besides, I'm not going to lead this guy on or anything." She groans and I roll my eyes, "Just because you set this up, doesn't mean I'm going through with it all the way. I'm letting him off nice and easy, that is if he even likes me at all, and I'll be back at my house doing all my daily chores before four."

'Why can't you actually try for once to get to know someone on the outside?' Tohru asks in sadness.

"Because, Tohru, both you and I know I never can and I never will try to ever again. I tried a few years ago and see where that got me." I end the call and violently snap my phone shut and shove it into my pocket.

Kaoru steps over to me with a slight hesitant expression on my obvious anger, "Are you sure you don't want a ride to your house? It sounds like your friend is in a hurry." He asks one more time hopefully. I still shake my head no and stay stubborn as I always am now.

"I said no, and I mean no. Thanks for the offer, anyway." I stuff my hands in my pockets and walk quickly away. I hear a couple of footsteps come after me, but after a minute or two, they stop for a few seconds and go in the other direction.

I sigh, 'That's the first time I've spoken to Tohru like that. No doubt she'll be upset when I get there, but she'll try to cover it up and flail ultimately. I'll have to apologize or I'll have an angry mob of Sohmas after me if I don't.'

I quickly make my way home, all the while preparing myself for this blind date.

'I just hope this guy isn't a crybaby or anything.'

Please keep reading and review!

Yes! I finally got up another chapter! XD Now, I'm starting a policy that if I don't get five reviews after this chapter, I won't update until then! I feel like no-one is reading any of my stuff, or for the most part, they don't like it that much. I would really appreciate some reviews, favs, or follows. Please!