Chapter 5:Meeting the Boar

I woke up the next morning in my bed though I didn't remember how I had gotten there. I glanced at the calendar. Since I didn't technically have a room of my own, I was sleeping on a cot in Tohru's room. I slipped out of bed and noticed I hadn't even changed into my pj's (also on loan from Tohru) before passing out. Today, I resolved, would be different. I would be strong today. Because since it had been 3 days since I had first arrived at Shigure's house, I had the craving to do something. I wanted to go somewhere, make new friends. I asked Shigure about it.

I had mastered sign language when I was young and luckily I still remembered that. It had taken the others a bit to get used to my new way of speech. Surprisingly, Yuki was the first to be able to pick it up. Kyo and Tohru soon followed. Haru struggled a bit, but could usually understand me by gestures so my "language" wasn't always necessary.

So walking up to Shigure, I pulled on his sleeve to get his attention. Fluttering my hands, I asked him if I would be able to go school with the others. Akito had either given up on looking for me, or was too upset to think of the obvious.

"Rei, you can't even talk. How are you going to manage if I enroll you?" I lifted a thin eyebrow in exasperation. I was communicating with him wasn't I?

"Rei, it's hard to learn an entirely new language over-night. You can't ask that of your teachers."

"Shigure!" Momiji called. He had on his usual sparkling smile. He had thrown open the door and was literally prancing all over the living room. Rolling my eyes slightly at his antics, I gave Shigure a last pleading look. I moved my hands some more in his direction.

Please? Just ask them to put me in a class with one of the others in it! I want to learn! I haven't ever been to school! My hands said.

With a sigh, Shigure rubbed his elbow absently. "I'll think about ok?" An explosion of happiness burst inside me. I tackled Shigure in a massive bear hug just as Momiji entered the room with a dark haired girl behind him.

"Shigure did you say something perverted to Rei?" asked Momiji in a slightly disapproving voice.

"No. I just told her I'd think about it, and then she tackled me!" Shigure said with a slight grin on his face as he stood up. I made flicking gestures with my hands rapidly at Shigure. Then I turned to Momiji and the girl.

Momiji's P.O.V

I hadn't seen Rei truly happy since before she'd been "chosen". But when she finally let go of Shigure, she had look of utter pleasure on her face. No smiles yet, but it was only a matter of time. Rei had turned to look at me and Kagura. She gave me a welcoming look and stared at the girl beside me pointedly. Oops. I'd forgotten to tell Rei who she was.

"Rei, this is Kagura. She's here to see Kyo. You and she used to play together." Rei stared at Kagura blankly. Obviously she couldn't remember. All of a sudden Kyo walked into the kitchen where we all were gathered. He took one look around and his eyes locked on Kagura. I had rarely seen Kyo terrified. This was one of those times. He took one look at Kagura and made a mad dash for the door.

"KYO, YOU IDIOT! YOU NEVER CALLED ME BACK!" Kagura shrieked and flew at him in apparent rage. Rei's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when she saw Kagura start beating up her brother with a vengeance.

"Hello Kagura." Yuki yawned as he came into the kitchen. His complete calm was probably the thing that shocked Rei the most. This kind of thing happened all the time. But of course, Rei couldn't remember. Her hands started moving so fast they were a blur.

"Slow down Rei, I can't read if you move that fast." Yuki said, still the picture of relaxation.

Why is Kagura beating up Kyo? Shouldn't we help him? Why is no one worried? Is she another member of the Zodiac? Is she going to tell Akito I'm here? Questions spilled from her fingers almost faster than I could watch.

"I don't think she'll tell anyone. You weren't really close, and Akito won't think to question her. You only played a few times, and he has already questioned those in the main house who would know where you are. To be honest, Kagura doesn't have the best memory so she'll probably forget she even saw you."

Is she part of the Zodiac then? Why is she beating up Kyo? And WHY is Yuki so dang calm?

I gave a small laugh.

"Yes Kagura is part of the Zodiac. Yuki's so calm because this happens every time Kagura comes to visit."

Yuki's P.O.V

Rei's eyes were as large as saucers while Momiji explained things. Her hands flicked once more. This time, I saw it.

"This is Kagura's way of showing affection. She tends to let her emotions get the better of her sometimes, especially around Kyo. It's nothing to worry about really."

Rei continued to watch the mauling of her brother with an astounded gaze. Then to both my shock and Momiji's, she walked up to Kagura.

"Uh, Rei, I don't think that's such a good idea..." Shigure trailed off as Rei just gazed stonily at him.

Kagura was in the middle of trying to break Kyo's arms by throwing him through the wall. Rei walked up with a neutral expression on her face. She tugged slightly on Kagura's green jacket sleeve. Dark brown eyes flashing dangerously, Kagura turned to glare at Rei. But then she stopped. She let go of Kyo and stared back at the short 15 year old girl looking at her. Rei tilted her head slightly almost questioningly. I, Shigure, and Momiji all stared in astonishment while Kyo tried to take the opportunity to run for his life. Kagura's hand shot out and grabbed his hood holding him in place while his legs still tried to flee. Her eyes never left Rei's.

"Who is he to you?" Kagura asked quietly.

"Kyo." Rei responded quietly. That was the only thing any of us had heard her say. She would only say her brother's name. She pointed at him and then made a heart shape with her hand. Kagura glared. I could practically hear her scream "RIVAL!" in that head of hers. Momiji was half out of his chair ready to intervene if necessary. But Rei seemed to understand what Kagura was thinking. Giving her head a tiny shake, she reached in the pocket of the white jacket she wore and handed something to Kagura. Comprehension dawned on her and she handed whatever it was back to Rei. She gave Rei a smile and knelt down.

"I understand now. And I'm sorry, that you had to see that I mean. It's just when I see him, all my love comes out at once. I don't mean him any harm I promise." Tohru who had come in took in the gathering with a glance then walked up to Kagura.

"Kagura-san, welcome!" Kagura gave a small shout of glee. She let go of Kyo who gave his sister a puzzled look, then bolted for the roof. Meanwhile Kagura had embraced Tohru. They had become fast friends the year before, when Tohru had first come to stay with us. Tohru had understood Kagura loving Kyo. She had said that Kyo was lucky that he had someone who loved him so much. I had started looking at her differently that day. She really did think differently than anyone else I had ever met.

Rei's P.O.V

I know that there is still a lot to learn about this family. And I have many things to remember before I'm back to the way I was. Remembering may take a long time. But, if I can make people happy, help in any way, maybe it won't feel like such a long time. Maybe, I can belong somewhere. Maybe, just maybe, they need me. I hope so. Because nothing says family, like needing others. And I always wanted a family.

Momiji's P.O.V

As Rei sat back down next to me on the floor, I glanced at what she was holding in her lap. It was the thing she'd given to Kagura. It was a photograph. As I looked closer, I realized it was a photo of Rei and Kyo. They were both pretty young. Rei couldn't have been more than 5. In the photo, Kyo was sitting cross legged and Rei was sitting in his lap. They were both grinning. Rei's smile was huge and cheerful. Full of innocence and life. Kyo's was small but loving as he looked at his baby sister. As I looked at the picture I wished that Rei would smile like that again. It was my dearest wish that she would smile.