Chapter 3:Change for the better

"Whoa." Haru's shocked exclamation startled me out of my reverie. My once matted black hair was now neat and pulled back into slightly wavy waist-length pigtails. I was wearing a short white skirt of Tohru's with a light green top that complimented my eyes very well. I wore green and white sandals Shigure had bought for me on an errand, waving away my protests with a "we can't have a member of our family dressed in rags". So I guess considering my appearance when they had left for school, and my appearance now, I probably looked like a whole new person.

I was sitting on the floor with a pad of paper and a pencil splayed out in front of me. I had been completely oblivious to the world so I hadn't heard the door open showing Haru, Kyo, Tohru, and a cute, short, blonde boy I had never met before.

"She's SO CUTE!" The short boy yelled and practically jumped on me. I didn't even have time to scream before Kyo's arm shot out and grabbed the boy by his curly blonde locks.

"Idiot, didn't I tell you NOT to scare her?" He snapped, bringing tears to the little boy's eyes.

"B-But she's so cute!" He whimpered and his blue eyes sparkled with tears.

"Jumping on her like that is guaranteed to scare her!" Kyo hissed shaking his orange head violently.

I continued to look on with curiosity and wariness as the little boy stared at me. If he hugged me I'd transform, and I didn't know if I had the strength yet to be able to control myself. The little boy was familiar like much I had experienced in this new life of freedom. Couldn't place the name though. Shaking my head, I walked up to him and held out a tentative hand. The boy threw a delighted glance at Kyo who reluctantly let go of the boy's head. Walking slowly now (trying not to startle me I guess) he took my hand and we shook. He answered the question in my eyes almost immediately.

"Hi I'm Momiji. Is it true you can't remember anything?" He asked in a single rushed breath.

Blinking rapidly I looked at Kyo pleading for some back-up.

"Momiji, she can't talk." Haru supplied helpfully. This was a serious shock to Momiji apparently.

"You can't TALK?" He practically screamed. Tohru, who had continued inside the house to cook dinner, came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on her pink apron.

"Momiji-san, please keep it down." She said with smile. "Shigure-san is upstairs trying to work."

"Work. Ha." Kyo snorted, earning a slightly disapproving look from Tohru before she went back to her cooking. Momiji continued to look at me with wide eyes that showed a mixture of emotions battling in they're depths.

"But is it really true?" He asked slightly quieter. "Can she really not remember anything?" He looked to Haru now for an answer. I sat back down on the floor and closed my eyes, continuing to draw. I heard the boys take seats on the sofa and someone sat down next to me, but I couldn't tell who. I still hadn't gotten used to anyone here enough, to feel the difference in they're presences. I zoned out in a way, letting my imagination control the pencil in my hand. In the background I could vaguely hear Haru and Kyo fill in Momiji on what had happened. From this conversation, I gathered that I was also related to Momiji in a way. He was also a member of the Zodiac. Flashing back slightly, I remembered that Haru was the ox of the zodiac as well as Yuki being the rat, and Kyo the cat (who was not actually part of the Zodiac). If any of us were hugged by a person of the opposite gender, well, we would transform into our designated creature. Silence finally fell over the household as Momiji pondered what my brother and cousin had told him. I opened my eyes to look at what I had drawn. It was almost black it was so dark, a room that seemed cold and terrible. I began to shake as the memory of that lonely horrible room sunk in on me again. I hadn't even realized I was thinking about it.

The paper was suddenly snatched away from me. Turning in fear, I prayed Akito would make my death quick. Instead of the cold cruel eyes of Akito, I was staring into the soft dark eyes of Haru. He was the one who had sat down next to me. His face was unreadable as he looked at the picture I had drawn. With a swift jerk of his wrist, he ripped the paper into bits. He then pulled me into his lap and held me tight.

Haru's P.O.V

I could feel her shaking. She was so scared. She had seemed so calm when we had first come home, as if she hadn't a care in the world. But as soon as she had started drawing again, I could feel a strange tension emanating from her. I guess she didn't even realize it herself. She was so frightened. Kyo and Momiji were looking at me questioningly. I gave Kyo a pointed look, nodding towards the remains of the paper. He closed his eyes and gave a nod of understanding. Momiji continued to look puzzled but chose the right moment to keep his mouth shut. When Rei's shudders finally subsided, I could hear the feel the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest against mine, telling me she was asleep. No matter how hard we tried she still couldn't (or wouldn't) talk. She would only say Kyo's name. I saw how much pain and love warred in Kyo's eyes every time she said his name. We all longed for the melodic sound of her voice. The one we hadn't heard for so long.

"What did he do to you Rei?" I whispered gently stroking her hair. "What did he do?"