Very late update, sorry. I really was thinking about discontinuing this. However, I'm shocked that I got some reviews. I wasn't expecting any. Also, I was happy that a reader wanted me to make a second chapter for their birthday! So I guess I can reward you all with another chapter. Lol. Also thank PrincessOfDarkness3. I hope you like the chapter and have an awesome wonderful birthday!
And to answer some frequently asked questions from reviews and pms: #1 - Is the family curse in this fic? Yes, the family curse is in the story. However, curse is broken. How it was broken will be revealed in later chapters. (Assuming that I will get that far.) #2 - Continuation of the fic? Continuing the story is a maybe. I really didn't think this was gonna be good fic. Yet I'm still thinking. #3 - Is this going to have lots of sex? Nope, not whole lot. A little lemon and lime here and there. Just warning you, if you don't like reading sexual content, (and I respect that.) you should probably withdraw.
Chapter 2 - Acquaintance.
His little nose sunk deep between the cushion of something soft, inducing his body to twitch. "Agh…" he rolled off with a thud, a screaming shock surged through his body. He moaned on the cold bleak floor, his trembling hands trying to grip the couch he was once on but couldn't. "…What the hell… what the hell happened?" his tired ruby eyes glared at his surroundings, trying to figure were the heck he was. He was trapped in by white walls and above him was a high vaulted ceiling. Where was he? How long had he been there? Everything was just all so confusing. In fact, he could feel a migraine coming on. "Shit…"
"Hey you." came a voice, startling the orange haired lad for a second. Kyo whipped his head around and glared. "I was told by Lady Honda, once you were awake, to go see her. You can find her in the drawing room." It was the woman's body guard from earlier and she seemed a little agitated. She wore a long dark coat with an interesting stitching of a gang symbol on the back of it. "Well? Come now."
"And if I don't…" Kyo's lips scrunched into an angry curl. "You can tell your mistress to kiss my ass. Got it?"
"If you don't comply," the woman pulled her sword out, pointing it at the surprised man, her steps were light as they vibrated on the bleak marble floors. She was just as quick as a flash of light. "…Then I could care less what my lady says and gut you like fish." she smiled as her blonde hair flowed with the slight breeze in the room. "I'll gut ya just for being an asshole. That's all you are and all you will ever be…"
All he could do was growl. He wasn't about to try her with his basic fighting skills. Heh, the bitch had a blade— a very razor-sharp one at that. He simply backed off away from the blondie's blade, ruby eyes observing her weapon carefully. He remembered studying types of swords when he was in high school. In fact that's all he read about was swords. "That's a Higo Koshirae sword." A Higo Koshirae was a type of katana used by the Higo Feudal Clan in the Edo period. It was practically used many fights. It was known to be tough and had great balance. How the hell did a pretty girl get a weapon as violent as that?
"You sure you know how to use that thing?" he smiled partially, his grin almost teases her. He was sure she got the message.
"Go head— try me." Her eyes seemed to taunt at him, in the way his smile did at her. "You won't leave this room with your prick still between your legs. I guarantee it."
"Challenge accepted." He bustled back.
"Now Uo," the lady who bought him, stood at the entrance of the room. "Is that any way to talk to my guests…?"
Uo's frown deepened as she turned around to meet her mistress. "He shouldn't be a guest." then the blonde glared at Kyo, her eyes ridiculing him again, "He's not even fit to be a servant. He's merely trash… a common whor—"
"Uo, please…" the woman begged tiredly, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then please can you not say it at all?" her voice was soft and gentle.
To Kyo's surprise, Uo just bowed. Then she flipped her sword around slid it back in its place. "I'm sorry Lady Honda but…"
"Please leave us…" the mistress commanded her, staring back at the orange haired man, "I want to speak to Mr. Kyo… alone…"
Uo glared evilly and stomped off, slamming the door behind her. This woman wasn't even startled by the large boom the door created. She elegantly sat down in a white loveseat, "Please sit…" her hand caressed the spot beside her, and her fingers sparkled with white diamonds and pearls.
Kyo paused for a moment before sitting. He walked over to single chair and sat in that one instead, "Thanks…" he cooed.
"Welcome to my house…" she continued, not at all bother by him choosing to sit across from her. Her voice was so smooth and sweet. She crossed her legs and her hands were folded neatly in her lap, "After three days, it's certainly nice to finally meet you, Kyo Sohma."
"Three…days?" he blinked. Where in the world had time gone? "What the hell do you mean, three days?"
"…Yes," she answered, "The ride home must of tired you out. You randomly crashed on my lap in the backseat, simply passing out and snoring vigorously." She giggled again, "I simply must admit, you're just so darling when you sleep." she declared.
"Oh yeah?" He grumbled, a bit freaked at the thought, "…And who the fuck are you?" his tone was vile and hateful.
"OH! Pardon me," The brunette lightly bowed in her seat, "I'm Tohru Honda." she said with a giggle, completely untouched by his evil tone. "I am the mistress of my home and Arisa Uotani, my bodyguard, is the one you met before I came. I call her Uo." she explained with another grin. "But… She can be complicated sometimes. Forgive her, she didn't agree with housing a random person…"
That made two of em. Kyo didn't mind agreeing there.
"…Nevertheless, I know she will warm up to you." Tohru reassured him as his head cocked to the side, surprised at how nice she was. Especially after his very harsh comment. Perhaps she was putting up an act. She could've been evil and cruel just like other women he had encountered. Everyone had a bad side, a woman's bad side was just worse. "I'll be showing you your room later on. Hopefully you would like it."
Kyo said nothing. He felt like he was her pet and she was housing him for the first time. It was a disgusting feeling to be honest. "It's been a while since I've encountered a different face other than my butlers and Uo. I do hope you will enjoy living here. I'll provide anything you need." Tohru smiled, "All I ask for is respect. You'll find that I'm very easy to get along with and well-rounded … I don't think there's anything that I don't like…"
Oh that's great and reassuring… His next question would have been 'So, why the hell did you buy me then?' but he would put a hold on that till later. For now, he just remembered something— the two cigarettes that were still in his jean pocket. He had totally forgotten all about them. He found his lighter in his jacket and pulled one wrinkled cig out to ignite it. Ah yes, that sweet nicotine… Hell yea…
"…Except smoking…" her lip curled.
Kyo paused, taking his first puff of toxin, and blew it out the side of his mouth. He wasn't even listening, "…what was that?"
"I don't like smoking… That's probably the only thing I don't like… Heh." she repeated. "Can you please put it out?" Still her voice was unbelievably soft.
Kyo pulled the bud out of his mouth, cursing her to the sharks for making him waste perfectly good cigarette. "Sure whatever lady…" he placed it in a little glass bowl on the table. "If you don't like it, then why are there two ash trays on the table?"
"Actually they are China bowls, not ash trays. They are an antique decoration… I inherited from my great grand—" Kyo could care less about it because he had to choose the prettiest one to put his toxin stick into. "Never mind…" Tohru cleared her throat, not letting that bother her. "But… enough about me…" She smiled.
Yeah, enough… Kyo wiped the glistening sweat off his forehead, noticing a particular stench that clung to him. He hadn't had a bath in weeks. He couldn't and wouldn't imagine Tohru's expression when he did collapse on her in the car. He assumed she smelt it too. Yet, she was being unbelievably nice about the whole situation. Well, heh— he supposed she had to if she wanted him to stay. However, no matter how much she wanted him to stay, he wasn't going to.
"I'm much more interested in talking about you… and your services you will hopefully provide." and there was the answer to his next question. All women were the same. The rich lonely ones at least. They all had money so they could buy pleasure. Tohru wasn't any different. His frown deepened as she sat there elegantly watching him, anticipating on his next response. "Well? Go ahead…" she giggled, "Don't be shy…"
With her blue eyes regarding him shrewdly, he stood up and approached her. He sighed, attempting to take off his beaten up jacket and warn out white shirt. His heart thumped nervously when he began to take off his pants.
That's when Tohru raised a confused brow. "…What are you doing?" She blinked.
Kyo paused, more bemused than she was. "Providing those services…" he was shocked when she laughed lightly.
"No, no silly… I mean tell me about yourself."
Kyo blinked, bemused, "B-But… you said servi—"
"…Services as in your talents. Perhaps your hobbies too, Kyo…" Tohru rolled her eyes, "You certainly won't be providing those kind of services." she assured him, "I have you know, I didn't buy you for sex."
"You… you didn't?" That certainly was the weirdest thing he had ever heard. "But… wait… what?" He took a minute to have that soak in before he continued, "…Seriously?" Then what the fuck am I doing then? His face became flushed as he stood there half naked in front of her. She hadn't moved from her seat either. Instead, she looked up, her eyes admiring his toned body before she pulled away.
"Um…Yup." Then she looked down, blushing as well. "I know your background and I know you were made to do those type of things, but you won't be doing that here." she cleared her throat again, "And as long as you live here you won't ever have to sell your body again…" She decided to stand up, inducing the confused Kyo to move away slowly. Wow, he really didn't know what to say. It was as if he had finally woken up from his horrid nightmare. "Come— put on your shirt." she opened the door to the white room and smiled, "Let me show you around and the room you will stay in…"
Kyo grabbed his shirt and headed out the door to follow the woman.
"Are you hungry, Kyo? You must be after sleeping for three days…" Tohru offered, showing the way to the kitchen.
"Ehhh," Kyo heard his own stomach growl angrily in response to her question. "…Eh no. I'm fine." he lied, "Not at the moment." he would find somewhere to replenish once he escaped this place.
"Oh, but you must. The pleasure is all mine…" The woman paced down what seemed like a giant abandoned street but it was just the dark carpet of the long hallway. However, she disappeared after turning left. He sighed, pouting and followed after her.
"I said I didn't want anything and she insists…" he hissed, "Why bother, no one even listens to me…"
The kitchen was amazingly huge. Endless ivory cabinets all around and a humongous built in fridge and freezer with thick glass for doors. An island countertop stationed in the middle of the kitchen with a massive pot rack hanging above it.
About seven cooks paced around, preparing dishes and cleaning the countertops. It was so hard to believe that this was actually a kitchen. It almost looked like a bustling shop with so many running to and fro. Kyo hadn't seen anything like it. Not even at Shigure's house. By the time he got there, Tohru had already ordered one of her cooks to make a sandwich for him.
"Really, it's okay…"
"Here…" she placed the food item in his hand and walked off, "Let the tour begin…"And so they did. Tohru aided him around, showing and amplifying on what he really needed to know the most. Which was pointless to him. He didn't want to stay with her no matter how nice she seemed. Yet, he nodded like he was interested, at the same time of trying find a way out of this place.
Kyo grubbed on his snack which, the mistress made sure, was wrapped neatly. He found it interesting how she knew everything. Like the history of her home, the simple art and the history of her statues. She explained it all in detail as if she was the tour guide herself. She pointed out so many faster routes which helped him in navigating around better. And Kyo took all the information in pretty quickly as they meandered down the many halls. Finding his escape route wouldn't be a problem at all.
"I hope I'm not going too fast for you, Kyo?" Tohru had asked after about thirty minutes into the mini tour.
"It's not that big of the home. Doesn't take a damn genius to understand where a bathroom or a kitchen is…" He raised a brow at the woman.
She smiled vastly, turning her head to see the orange haired lad sauntering behind her. "Very well, here's the Ball Room." She opened the grand doors in front of them. This place was actually quite beautiful and it was now Kyo's favorite kind of scenery. Being here felt like he was floating on a piece of heaven. Gorgeous polished marble, granite floors and so many paintings, they were lined up neatly on the wall.
They stopped under the humongous golden, crystal chandelier, "Do you like them…?" Tohru questioned the curious man when she noticed he had begun to slowly drift over to the wall of luxurious art.
"Who painted them?" Kyo asked when he was finished with his food.
Tohru smiled, it was intriguing how Kyo asked about something as ironic as a painting. The man didn't seem like he would be interested by a few pieces of artwork. She would have to remember that in their time together. "I did…"
"…Eh …what…?"
"I said, I did." She answered again, "I painted every single one of them…"
Kyo didn't expect that. Strange how she liked painting and they were worth looking at. She was good in all fields, landscapes, people, animals, flowers, etc. She didn't look like she could draw at all. "Oh…" He wouldn't mention how beautiful he thought they were.
"…Being here day after day, you grow accustomed to everything around you and then you start developing little hobbies. I guess painting became one of mine."
Then she pointed to the large exit which lead to the courtyard. "That's the only exit from this room. It shows a good view of the pretty flowers from the floor balcony…" she giggled at the thought, "Like you would care anything about flowers." then again, she could be wrong. The man liked her paintings.
Kyo only silently nodded that he understood. Now they ventured upstairs where all the bedrooms were. So far, there were exactly seven exits, five not including the entrance and the backdoor patio. She had no cameras put up anywhere. The estate was an open floor plan, which meant he couldn't really escape without a whole bunch of witnesses seeing it. So in order to escape successfully, he needed a high balcony. The ball room balcony was way too close to the ground, and other people could see him. "Damn…"
"Hm?" Tohru glanced at him, "Something wrong?"
She wasn't supposed to hear that. Kyo cleared his throat and hid behind one of his many convincing poker faces, smiling real big and flashing his ruby eyes as her, "Nope." there was an awkward silence, both of them staring at each other with curious eyes until he cleared his throat again. "Eh, so lady," he called her, "…if you don't mind me asking, if you didn't want me for the pleasure…"
"Yes…" The mistress blinked.
"Then you bought me for labor… perhaps, serving as a butler or some shit like that." he thought that was it for sure. There's no way that Tohru would buy him just for the hell of it. She wanted something from him. "Am I right?"
"…Nope." Tohru admitted shaking her head, her long brunette hair made natural curls down her back. "I have as many butlers and workers as I need to work in my estate."
"…Did I know you then?" he blinked, "Maybe we went to school together and I forgot?" That would explain a lot he supposed.
"Nope. I have never met you before in my life." she admitted again, this time she cracked a smile.
"You sure?" he asked again as her smile became bigger.
"No I'm sure. I think the ruby eyes would have been a noticeable clue…"
"Hm… How about in another life?" he was being serious and it freaked him out.
"You're funny." Tohru shook her head again, "…And I don't believe in reincarnation." she began walking again, her long peach colored dress dragged behind her.
"Doesn't mean there's no such thing…" he protested aloud to himself before going back to the same topic. "But seriously, you can't just buy someone and not have a reason…" he uttered, "And for damn sure, I have no clue to why you did…" he was curious, "…So I really don't know you, eh?"
"…Well the last time I checked, I didn't." she spewed her own little sarcasm at the man again, in which he was too deep in thought to notice.
"Hm…" Kyo sighed as a sudden thought drifted in his mind. Kyo snapped his fingers, "…I got it! You're an angel in disguise and, you have been sent here on a mission…" a mission in which she probably had to help him in order to get her wings… some rubbish like that.
"Nope…" this time the woman heaved a small sigh. His comments were getting even more farfetched. "Let me guess… you're intensely religious." She assumed by his odd but interesting theory on reincarnation and angels.
"Not really." he shrugged, trying not to get too personal, "My mom was a really religious person. She would always take me to church with her when I was little. I hated it." he explained, then continued with the topic again. "So you're sure you aren't an angel, eh?"
She couldn't help but laugh again. This man was hilarious, "Very, very positive." she answered, rolling her blue eyes at him, "And I don't believe in angels either…" she added with a confined smile.
"…Well shit…" he grimaced, crossing his arms, "And I really thought that was it too." he murmured behind his finger which came up to tap lightly on his lips while he thought dreadfully hard. "Hm…"
"Well here it is…" Tohru slowly opened the door to a large room. Which happened to be his new bedroom. It was way too clean for what he was used to, but this room was unique for its obsolete splendor and dark ruby gothic composition which was actually an appealing scene.
The bed was a high king size bed, made with a dark chestnut wood finish. Plus poles stood tall at each corner of the bed. The sheets were made with a silky satin material. Kyo ran his hand over the many feather stuffed pillows, in disbelief that she was giving him such a luxury. The carpet was a wine color, it was soft and gave Kyo some comfort, considering his feet ached and it was nice to sink his feet into something relaxing. "Are you sure… we don't know each other?"
She giggled, "Very positive…"
"But…"
"Positive with a capital P…"
"Okay, okay…" He gave up trying to figure out why the hell she was being so nice. She even gave him a room with a big window. He liked the way dark ruby curtains were pulled back so he could overlook the view. Eventually he came to see that what he was looking at was actually a balcony and not just an ordinary window.
"Ah…" he found himself standing on the balcony, glazing out over a vast spread of other lovely homes surrounded by a lake, dark clouds, and a mid-evening sky.
"You know, perhaps we met by accident." Tohru sat on the bed, lightly sighing.
"Accident?" Kyo turned around, raising a curious brow at the brunette. He supposed that was more logical then his reincarnation and angels earning wings for helping humans. He felt really dumb.
"Well…" Tohru explained, "I don't buy people. In fact, I've never given much thought to buying a human being. Yet, I found myself going to a place where they did such things as that. I don't know what I was doing there… a matter of fact, I was just about to leave until you showed up on stage." Kyo blinked as she continued, her voice sweetly reserved, gentle and shaky from explaining her side of the story. "Seeing you there made me feel bad. You looked so unhappy. I mean who wouldn't? You were tied up and being sold, but besides all that, I noticed how lonely you were. I was sure you didn't have any friends or relatives around." She sighed, "…Truthfully, I can relate. This house gets very lonely and I had no one to share it with. With Uo here, I'm safe but that's her job. I wanted someone that I could be here with me all the time. Someone who isn't protecting me… A companion… "
"So you bought me because you were lonely?" he frowned. He was certainly not okay with being bought— no matter who it was or the reason. He assumed now, since the deed was done, he didn't have freedom to leave this place. If he did choose to stay here, then once again, he was confined against his will. Wholeheartedly, he wasn't in the mood to be used for simple company— no way… He couldn't even smoke! Forget that crap, he was fine alone. His freedom meant a lot more to him than this sophisticated room. And since Shino was out of his hair, he didn't have to worry about her or her men coming after him anymore. He owed that bitch nothing now…
"I guess that was the reason…" she blushed. "You're welcome to use anything… the bathroom down the hall is yours for showering and all that.
"No…" Kyo glowered. "Look, I'm sorry you're lonely, lady… but I'm not fit for companionship." He cooed, his tone seemed sterner this time.
"Well that's fine. That type of thing takes time…"
"No…" Kyo frowned again, "I mean I don't even want to be friends. I can't be friends especially not with a woman who bought me." For six million buckaroos too. He watched her face change slowly into a sad one.
"Oh… I see."
"I'm no offense, lady…" he instantly stopped as the brunette lowered her face, almost like she was crying. "I mean… Tohru…" he cleared his throat, was he actually feeling bad for what he said? "I didn't mean to uhh…"
"No…" Tohru sobbed. "I understand." She stood up and ambled out the room.
"Now look what you did… you fucked up…" Kyo heaved a heavy breath of air. Then he swiftly turned back to the lovely view with incessant sky and closed his eyes, sighing. "Big time…"
The thoughts running through his mind pained him. Of all the times he's kept his mouth shut, he just had to say something this time. He should have been grateful, should have been nice and accepted her kindness. After all, she paid six million yen for him. Now she was probably thinking about sending him back…
And then, when he opened his eyes again, a man in a butler suit was standing there in the doorway, his hands resting delicately at his side and a cloth hung there as well. "Good evening, Master Sohma… Dinner while be in two hours…" the man bowed.
Kyo stiffened, blinking. "Master…?" he whispered the word to himself over and over, and it still amazed him. How in the world? He was no higher than the next guy and now it's like he became some important person in one day.
But before he could think more on that, the man was gone. Kyo yawned, laying on the soft silky bed, staring at the fancy light fixtures and engraved designs on the sky-high ceiling. "Hm …Strange."
"Uo! Uo! Where are you going?" Tohru knew exactly where her bodyguard was going. She regretted telling her.
"I'm killing him! I'm gonna teach him a big lesson! I TOLD YOU…" Uo growled, pulling out her Higo Koshirae blade. "I TOLD YOU HE WOULD BE UNGRATFUL!"
"No, no, no please!" Tohru didn't wanna cry no more. Killing him, meant that she would be lonely for real. "Don't do it!"
"Why?" Uo glared at her mistress, "You have me? You don't need that asshole." she cooed, "He's a disrespectful bastard. A second-hand son of a…" The blonde paused, realizing her mistress was crying again. "You… you are so much better than him… you could do whatever you want. You could rule a kingdom if you wanted to and still…" She trailed off sighing, putting her blade back. "You mean to tell me, you will even accept his hatred and ungratefulness so you will not be lonely anymore…"
As painful as it sounded, Tohru nodded. It was so hard to explain. If there only was a way to make a deal with the man… aha, that's it!
"My lady… you have gotten so…" Uo trailed off again, suddenly realizing the brunette had paced the other way, "Wait… where are you going?"
"I have an idea." Tohru sobbed. A fair idea…
Now would have been the perfect time to escape. The lad had stumbled upon the bathroom across from his room and decided to shower. He was able to dry wash his clothes to decent. It had been two hours since he had seen anyone lurking around. And he realized had a nice balcony to jump off from and he was almost positive, that he would land on his feet. He was clean and motivated. However, he couldn't get himself to do it after making Tohru cry. She would even cry more knowing that he escaped.
Walking out into the hallway, Kyo's tummy growled and he quickly grabbed it pouting. He couldn't say how long it's been since he had an actual meal. "Now where was that kitchen again?" he traveled down the stairwell and turned down some random hallway. Then frowned when he was back in the same room he was in that afternoon with Tohru. He walked other places and ended up in other weird rooms that the brunette hadn't shown him yet.
He ventured farther down another pathway, not caring if he couldn't find his way back. He was sorry for calling this place, not that big… The hell it was! He felt like he was in a castle and the few people he saw, shot him looks with respect and courtesy already.
Kyo's tummy growled louder than before. He didn't realize how hungry he was until he started smelling chicken. Wait… he was smelling chicken… right? Meaning he was close now? He turned into the next hall. (The one with the darkened carpet) and turned left. "Finally…"
He saw all the food's steam snake around the kitchen as the cooks brought large platters to the dining room. Tohru's only sign of security, the bitch Uo, had shown up for dinner time too. He wondered if Tohru told her anything he said. Then when the blonde seemed to throw daggers with her eyes and growl, he knew Tohru rambled to her. Great… He angered his 'owner' and her demonic bodyguard who wanted his balls for it.
"Glad you could make it Kyo." Tohru looked up after he sat down, her outfit totally different from earlier. This one was more casual. He could tell that she and Uo had started eating already. Thankfully.
"Yeah thanks." Glad to know you're not crying… I hate crying girls. He nodded with a frown upon his face. Then he cleared his throat.
"Uo, please leave." The brunette commanded sternly and Uo bowed, leaving her unfinished food on the table. That made Kyo nervous. Her voice made him even more nervous. She seemed like she grew a backbone from the last time they talked. Perhaps she was going to deliver some bad news to him.
Kyo was just about to take a fork and dig in until the mistress spoke, "Mr. Sohma." Tohru placed her hands on the table, more rings shinnying brightly under the dim light. All the maids froze in a fright as she began to speak. "About what we talked about earlier…"
Here it comes…
"You don't want to be here correct? You want freedom…" Tohru said the special word that made the man hold his breath.
"Wouldn't you?" he cooed back, his ruby eyes filled with a stern expression.
"Certainly…" the woman nodded, "Who wouldn't want their own freedom. That being so, I'll make a deal with you…"
A deal? "Huh?" Kyo blinked bemused. "Wait… you'll make a what?"
"I'll make a deal with you." Tohru repeated, "If you agree, I'll give your freedom back. You have my promise…"