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The Horse of the Zodiac family sat in the genkan of a house where she was staying, but it was not home. She felt like she had no home, nowhere left to go. But she did have things to do. A mission to help those she cared about most in this world. If only she knew where to start.
"Isuzu? Are you going out again? We should go somewhere together once in a-, Ah! I've got it! Why don't we go to the vacation home! I finished up all my summer classes, so we can join all the others!" Kagura's bubbly voice went on and on as Isuzu slipped on her boots.
"Yun-Chan, Shii-Chan, Haru-Chan and best of all, Kyo-Kun!" The pale teenager stood up, stopping Kagura before she rambled on more.
"Kagura... why don't you stop trying to force a romance? It hurts to watch." She coldly stated, sick and tired of the charade and the effect it could have on others.
"Why...would you say that?" Kagura was taken back, she knew of Isuzu's sharp tongue, but this felt more than just a jab.
"What? It's true." Isuzu didn't even spare her cousin another glance and walked out the front door to do who knows what. The long-haired beauty was indeed a mystery. Kagura called after her but was ignored.
"What is it? Are you fighting again? She's been living with us for quite some time now... but hasn't warmed up to us at all, has she? If anything, she's become more-" Kagura's mother was about to say cold. Still, the image of a white-blonde teen with wide amethyst eyes entered her mind, the memory of Marley telling her off was still fresh, and the older woman found herself almost embarrassed of what she was going to say. So she held her tongue.
"It hurts to watch." She simply said while shaking her head. She did care about Isuzu and was trying to do her best to make the troubled teen comfortable, but it just wasn't working out.
"Oh, that's right. I think I heard you mention the vacation home? I don't want you going. I heard the head of the family went there yesterday." Kagura's mother informed, and it made Kagura's jaw slack a bit.
"HUH?
"You should do what you can to stay out of his way. It would kill me if you ended up in the hospital too." The worried mother had nightmares of something terrible happening to her daughter and only wished to keep her safe. Nothing good ever came from being in the same company as the head of the Sohma clan.
"Um. Wait a second. Akito-San... went to the vacation home for what?!" Kagura panicked as she jumped to her feet.
"I wouldn't know, but it's certainly unusual. I suppose just for a vacation. Apparently, Shigure-San invited him..." The woman was interrupted by her daughter's temper.
"Shii-chan...SHII-CHAN, YOU ASSHOLE! WAIT UNTIL I GET A HOLD OF YOU! NO MERCY!" Kagura's screams of frustration and threats as she ruined the front door with a powerful kick, and her mother could only let out an exasperated sigh.
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.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
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"We're off!" Momiji announced as he and the other Zodiac members got ready to head out the door to go to the annex.
"Already? Do you know how long you'll be?" Marley hoped that maybe it would just be a few hours as she just wanted everyone to be together.
"We'll be back as soon as we can." Momiji smiled up at Marley; she could see that he was apprehensive about leaving behind his smile and warm brown eyes. Did he feel torn about leaving? Guilty about leaving to go to Akito's side?
"Okay... have fun." Marley patted Momiji's fluffy hair and placed a kiss on his forehead as hugs were out of the question.
"Here, here! Can I get another? Right here?" Momiji jumped up and down while pointing to his cheek, and Marley just giggled before complying, laying a soft peck to his cheek, which made the Rabbit cheer.
"YA DAMN RABBIT!" Kyo tried to grab hold of Momiji, but he just hid behind Tohru, sticking his tongue out at Kyo as Tohru tried to calm them down.
Marley felt a small tug on her dress, and she looked down to see Kisa's large golden eyes gazing up at her.
"May... May I get one?" Kisa shyly asked, and Marley giggled as she took Kisa's face in her hand and kissed her forehead.
"How about me?" Haru asked and pointed to his cheek, and Hiro started to get all huffy, but Marley laughed as she snuck a little kiss to his forehead, which made him blow up red.
"Oh-ho? Perhaps I can sneak a kiss as well?" Shigure teased, and before he could step any closer, Kyo and Yuki stepped in front of Marley and gave their best death glares.
Marley felt a little grateful as she really didn't feel comfortable kissing Shigure on the cheek, even if it was innocent or even as a joke.
"Leave already." Kyo hissed, sick of everyone already, and the day had just begun.
"That was a little creepy, Sensei. You should learn where the line is," Hatsuharu told Shigure with a deadpan face as the adult nervously laughed, insisting it was a joke.
Marley and Tohru waved everyone off before going back to clean up the leftover breakfast. The maids that had been at the summer house were now staying at the annex under Akito's orders. One younger maid had said that she would try and do what she could, but Marley insisted that she would be fine.
Marley and Tohru were hardly bothered by a little housework now and then. Plus, Marley knew that Momiji would be keen to help.
The two were washing the dishes when Marley's phone went off, and she excused herself to take the call. She stepped outside on the porch as she animatedly spoke on the phone, a bright smile on her face, and Tohru assumed that she must be talking with her grandfather as Tetsuo seems to check in every day.
Tohru stood at the kitchen counter, and hand dried the dishes, taking a moment to think. Last night when she had walked off to try and see if the others had returned from the annex, she had found Yuki instead, and they had been lucky enough to catch the sight of some shooting stars.
Tohru had wanted to rush back to the house to get Marley as she was reminded of the lake house when they had watched the meteor shower together. But Yuki had stopped her, and she found herself in a strange situation.
Yuki had spoken so softly as he held Tohru by her forearms and had even laid a soft kiss on her forehead, but that wasn't all. Tohru had sworn she felt raindrops along with the tender kiss, but there hadn't been a cloud in the sky.
The concerned brunette's thoughts were interrupted by a deep voice, and looked up to see Hatori and panicked to greet him and the family doctor apologized for not coming by sooner to say hello. It was then that Marley came back inside.
"Hatori! When did you get here?" Marley called out as she walked over, tucking her phone into the pocket of her dress.
"I came yesterday with Akito, but with everything, I haven't had a chance to come by and say hello," Hatori explained, and Marley nodded.
"Would you like some tea-" Marley was about to get started on a cup, but Hatori's voice stopped her.
"I can't stay long."
"Oh..." Marley tried to mask her disappointment. It felt like it had been a while since she'd been able to catch up with the family doctor, and every time she did see him, it was always in passing.
"I'm sorry... You... Came here to have fun with everyone, but we keep leaving you girls on your own. I'm sorry." Hatori bowed his head, and Marley furiously started shaking her head.
"What?! No! Don't be sorry! We're not alone... and there is still lots of time left here at the beach.." Marley pointed out, trying to look on the bright side.
"I just...I hope you are enjoying your summer vacation too.." Marley smiled softly up at Hatori, and he let out a small sigh before smiling and lightly patting Marley's head.
"Don't forget to put on sunscreen and drink lots of water. It's going to be another hot one today." Hatori showed his concern through his doctorly advice and was off just like that.
The white-blonde stood there for a moment, fidgeting with the locket around her neck. She wondered if she should go to the annex to finally pay Akito a visit. But that would mean leaving behind Miguel, Tohru and K-.
"I guess we might as well hang out at the beach." Kyo's voice made broke Marley's train of thought. Her amethyst eyes taking him, and ideas of visiting Akito at the annex were now just a passing thought.
"That's what you wanted to do, right?" Kyo shoved his hands in his pockets as he studied Marley for her answer, and just like Kyo figured, the lost look on her face disappeared and was replaced by a soft smile, and her eyes seem to be filled with light.
"I... Yes. I would love that."
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.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-..-.-.-.-
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"Oh, Yuki-Kun. I thought you would be with Akito-San." Shigure walked over to the young teen reading a book on the porch, the sunlight peeking through the foliage.
"... He's all over Haru today." Yuki informed as he continued to try and read.
"I see. That leaves us with a lot of free time." Shigure leaned against the door frame.
"Yeah, I wish he would just let us go back, but we shouldn't leave Haru here..." Yuki sighed as he re-read the same line for the 3rd time.
"...Yuki-Kun, what did Akito say to you yesterday?" Shigure asked as he knew that even though Yuki hadn't come to the annex yesterday, Akito still shared words with the Rat.
"... the truth. Satisfied?" Yuki closed the book, done with the conversation, but Shigure wasn't as he wanted to know all the in's and outs.
"No... not yet. Not nearly." Shigure sighed, but Yuki had already walked away from him. The Dog sighed and looked into the house, wondering what Akito and Haru were up to.
"I heard Kureno's here. That true?" Hatsuharu asked as Akito leaned against his back, lounging and treating the Cow of the Zodiac as a piece of furniture.
"Even if it is, I'm not going to let any of you meet him." Akito huffed, aggravated by the question.
"Not even Honda-San?" Haru asked as he stared out the window at the green trees outside as a yellow butterfly was passing by.
"... What does that have to do with anything?" Akito asked as he sat up and looked over his kimono-clad shoulder to gaze at Haru's face.
"After all, Kureno is a member of the Zodiac too." The bi-coloured teen simply stated.
"So what? She has to meet every member of the Zodiac?" Akito scoffed, and Haru could feel the room growing colder, even in the summer heat.
"Nah, not really, but she's met so many of us, it'd feel unnatural if she didn't meet all of us." Haru shrugged, not seeing the big deal or why Kureno was kept so separate from the rest of the Zodiacs.
"Unnatural? Unnatural... really? Ahahahaa Hatsuharu... you always say the funniest things." Akito started laughing and pulled on Haru's sleeve.
"Is there anything else? Something more that seems unnatural to you?" Akito teased, his dark eyes staring deep into Haru's eyes.
"No... I wish you wouldn't laugh at me like that." Haru's tone was soft, but one could see the pain behind his gentle brown eyes.
".. What can I do? You say the silliest things. This is what makes you the stupid ox. Everyone thinks so." Akito smirked as if their words were nothing, but it felt like a knife was being twisted somewhere in Haru's soul, but Akito looked at Haru's sullen face and tilted his head.
The Cow, like everyone else, was at God's mercy.
"Oh? Did I hurt your feelings? Did I now?" The taunting only twists the knife more, and all Haru could do was hold his tongue and wait for the day to end already.
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..-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
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The calls of seagulls mixed with the natural music of waves crashing onto the sandy beach. Two girls giggled as they patted down some sand, the late afternoon sun glowing down on them.
There had been a small badminton game between the boys, and the loser would have to get buried. Kyo stood smugly as he looked down at Miguel's head that was poking out of the sand, the rest of his body hidden.
"Are you alright, Miguel-Kun?" Tohru asked, and Miguel just smiled, insisting that he would win next time and make Kyo jump in the ocean when he did. At this challenge, Kyo just smirked and told him that he was ready for anything.
The two seem to have a somewhat friendly rivalry of some sort. It was nothing like the energy between Yuki and Kyo, and the girls found themselves enjoying it.
"Let's make him into a mermaid!" The idea popped into Marley's head, and Tohru seemed very intrigued as the white-blonde explained what they needed to do.
"Man... just don't take a picture or something and show it to my sister." Miguel groaned, really wishing he had won the game of volleyball. But no one was listening as they started tracing out a long fish-like tail and a torso in the sand. The beginnings of the mermaid's body were taking place.
"This brings me back..." Marley smiled as she finished tracing out the sand's shape and got ready to start piling sand in-between the lines.
"You bury a lot of people as a kid?" Kyo teased, and Marley laughed and winked.
"Na... just used to draw in the dirt a lot." She admitted as she and Tohru smoothed out the sand with their hands.
"Really, Marley-Chan? That sounds like fun." Tohru smiled as she pictured a young Marley playing as a kid.
"It was! I was always trying to draw whatever I saw on TV. Dinosaurs, mermaids, aliens." Marley thought back on her childhood back in her great grandmothers' farmland. The other kids weren't interested in being her friend, so she spent a lot of time with either Naniji, Baloo the dog or any of the farmland animals that would put up with her.
One of the reasons she became a vegetarian very young was because she couldn't imagine eating any of her animal friends.
When her grandmother was napping in the middle of the day, Marley would spend outside, using a stick to draw in the dirt on sunny days. Trying to recreate the images she saw on the small TV they owned. Baloo was an older dog and would sit nearby, and watch and Marley would talk with him and imagine that he was an art critic and her biggest fan.
"Like here, I would draw a T Rex." Marley giggled as she picked another spot on the beach and traced a cartoonish dinosaur with cartoonishly small hands.
Kyo laughed and said he doubted that T Rex wasn't going to be eating anything with the round teeth Marley had given it and then started the light-hearted competition between the two drawing dinosaurs in the sand. At the same time, Tohru stayed with Miguel and watched the two.
"Marley! Tohru!" A loud yell called out, and Marley looked over to see a body collide with Tohru's, a loud pop sound.
"We're back, we're back, we're back!" Momiji shouted in his bunny form while he hung off of Tohru, and it would be a funny scene if it weren't for the visiting guest that still had no clue about the Sohma curse.
"What was that? That sound?" Miguel asked as he tried to turn his head around to look, but Marley panicked and tried to think of something as she waved her warms to keep Miguel's attention towards the ocean rather than the scene happening behind him.
"Momiji, you startled me." Tohru held her hand over her beating heart.
"Momiji! You idiot!" Kyo scolded as he lifted the rabbit off of Tohru and shook his slightly.
"AH! Firecrackers!" Marley's heart was beating fast as she tried to protect the Sohma secret.
"Oh, but I guess they're gone now, hey Haru! Wanna help me give Miguel some boobs?" Marley tried to switch the topic and waved Haru over.
"..." Everyone shook their heads at Marley's words.
"What cup size?" The teen with the punk aesthetic asked as he dropped down by Miguel and inspected the sand torso.
"Double D's, of course." And both Haru and Miguel's eyes zeroed in on Marley's chest as if to estimate, and she blew up red and covered her face with her hands but laughed at how openly perverted the boys could be.
There was another pop, and Yuki quickly covered Tohru's eyes as Momiji rushed to put his clothes back on. To give them privacy Marley looked away, and her eyes become focused on the ocean as it seemed to glow in the afternoon sun. An ocean breeze blew past her, and she took a deep breath of the salty air. She was glad that everyone seemed to be in good spirits but wished they had been able to join Kyo, Tohru, Miguel and herself for some of the beach fun.
The sun wouldn't be out for much longer, and it would be time for them all to go back to the house for dinner.
"We're back." Kisa held onto Marley's floral dress, and the older girl wrapped the young Tiger in a tight hug, welcoming her back.
"What did you do to Miguel?" Hiro asked as he crossed his arms. He had been disappointed that they couldn't have spent the day with Marley, but at least nothing bad had happened at the annex.
"He lost a game to Kyo, so he had to be buried." Marley explained it was hard to miss Kyo's slightly proud smirk before Haru asked if he cheated, which led to Kyo yelling.
"I want to play in the sand too! Hiro! Can we bury you?" Momiji asked as he latched onto the young boy.
"Get away from me, Rabbit!" Hiro complained, and for a moment, he seemed like a younger Kyo. Marley laughed at the scene, happy that everyone seemed to be in good spirits.
"Ah, Um, w-welcome back.." Tohru greeted Yuki nervously, and Marley wondered if something had happened, but her attention was swiftly grabbed by Kisa asking if Marley about all the drawings in the sand and if they could draw some together.
"Of course! Haru, I'm leaving you in charge of Mermaid Miguel." Marley gave a salute to Haru, who returned it and continued working on the sculpture.
"Kyo is really good at drawing in the sand, look his dinosaur is much scarier than mine." Marley told Kisa, and Kyo huffed, a small blush on his cheeks.
"But I'm not sure Kyo knows what a lion looks like." Marley pointed to another drawing in the sand, and it really did just look like a fluffy cat with scary teeth.
"That's supposed to be your cat." Kyo challenged, and the girls giggled as they could almost see the slight resemblance, but Marley then insisted that Gimli was much cuter than Kyo's drawing.
Marley and Kisa tried their hand at drawing and was about to ask Kyo to judge, but Yuki had grabbed him by the collar of his shirt. Marley dropped the stick she had in hand and walked forward to try and break it up, but Yuki's stern voice stopped her.
"The next time you see Akito... don't be a jackass and lose your temper." Yuki warned Kyo as he stared him down. There was an intensity to Yuki's eyes that Kyo rarely saw.
"I don't care how much he ridicules you. You better not do anything stupid, or you could end up dragging her down with you." Yuki didn't need to name anyone. Kyo's mind rushed to large amethyst eyes lined with thick lashes when Yuki mentioned a 'her.'
"Wh- What?! I don't need to hear that from YOU!" Kyo hissed as he shoved Yuki away, disgusted that he was getting a scolding from the 'Rat' of all people/
"Get off your high horse! Who the hell do you think you are?! Huh?!" Kyo challenged, his orange eyes practically glowing in the sunset's glow. Yuki stood up taller, and his next words had everyone shocked.
"Yuki-Sama." The handsome grey boy said it so seriously, with an intense glower on his face, that Marley wished she had caught it on video
"...I... I'LL KICK YOUR ASS!" Kyo raged as everyone burst into laughter. Tohru panicked to try and calm down the raging Kyo, and Marley tried to step forward to place a hand on Kyo's shoulder but was intercepted.
"I'm hungry. Shall we head back?" Yuki asked Marley as he led her away, and she could only try to look back at the beach behind her. Kyo looked a little shocked but had stopped yelling, only staring back at Marley. Yuki squeezed her hand to re-grab her attention and smiled handsomely at her. Marley raised an eyebrow before sighing, wondering what was going but also kind of hungry too.
Yuki can be so mysterious sometimes...
"I feel like... we forget something..." The white-blonde admitted as she tilted her head slightly, trying to think about what she might be leaving behind.
"EXCUSE ME! CAN I GET A HAND OR SOMETHING!" A loud voice called, and it was then that Marley realized what she had forgotten.
"MIGUEL-KUN!" Marley heard Tohru yell as she hastily tried to help dig him out.
"I forgot to take a picture!" Marley gasped, and Yuki stifled a chuckle.
"Don't worry, I got a few." Haru informed as he came up beside her and showed him a few pics on his phone.
"Ooo, wow, you even found some seashells to put over the breasts, nice choice." Marley gave him a thumbs up.
"It didn't seem right to not have a seashell bra. There are kids around." Haru explained, and Marley fully agreed.
"True, we can't have Miguel's breasts out in the open. It could be traumatizing for the kids." Marley tried to stay serious, but it came out in giggles.
"You two... need to hang out less." Kyo groaned as he shoved Haru away and walked beside Marley. The adopted Sohma only giggled and took his hand in hers, swinging both his and Yuki's hand as they walked along the forest path back up to the summer home.
Tomorrow... maybe tomorrow everyone can spend the day together at the beach.
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.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
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The jungle of tall grey buildings and the buzz of traffic mixed with the sound of the city, but for a moment, it felt like someone had hit the mute button.
Kyo watched as a woman stepped off the sidewalk, and time seemed to move in slow motion. Kyo saw a large vehicle, and he wanted to reach out, but fear stopped him.
He was cursed in more ways than one. He couldn't save her.
The sound of screeching tired and screams rang in the air, and blood coated the pavement.
"... I'll never forgive you..."
"Bad dream?" Marley asked as Kyo let out a gasp and shot up. His orange eyes met hers, and he realized he wasn't in the city but at the beach. He could hear Tohru and Miguel playing in the ocean instead of the sound of ambulance sirens.
"Just a memory..." Kyo's words were quiet, but Marley still caught them. He was holding his head in hand and seemed shaken.
"Are you alright?" Marley asked as she closed her novel and put it down on the blanket beside her. The two were resting on the beach blanket just a few feet away from the water while Tohru and Miguel had decided to go for a little swim.
"Don't worry about me... how long was I out anyway?" The boy asked as he wanted to forget the nightmare.
"Not too long. You only dozed off for a little bit." Marley told him as she checked her phone, curious about the time. Even though Marley hadn't gone in the ocean, she was in her swimsuit, and her skin was drinking up all the sunlight it could.
"Why don't you join in the water, don't stay here just for me." Kyo gestured out to Miguel and Tohru, who were playing in the water. It was another day in the summer vacation, and again, Akito had called the Zodiacs to go to the annex.
"Trying to get rid of me?" Marley teased, and Kyo just scoffed, a small blush on his cheeks, and the girl giggled at the pout on his lips.
"It's been nice catching up on some reading and... I like it when we're together." Marley smiled at Kyo
"..." Kyo rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly as he looked away, his skin feeling hot. He blamed it on the sun getting to him.
"You reminded me of a cat napping in the sunlight." Marley didn't mean to tease as she meant it genuinely, but Kyo felt embarrassed.
"I wonder if the cat spirit is enjoying it too..." Marley wondered aloud as she thought of how Kyo had truly reminded her of her own cat Gimli and wondered if it was a Kyo trait or a cat sprit trait.
"Huh?"
"Oh I guess I was just thinking... you mentioned that the cat spirit doesn't like the water, right? That's why you don't like it?" Marley pulled back her sunglasses, resting them on her head.
"Is... the cat spirit... talkative?" She asked, hoping she wasn't too intrusive, but she had been curious about it.
"Nah, it's not like I have someone talking to me or something. It's more like... a feeling." Kyo tried to explain, but he had to admit that it was something no one had ever asked him.
"Like something gets... uncomfortable, and I always feel a pull too...Forget it." Kyo didn't want to burden Marley with all dark feelings that he sometimes didn't know where he or the Zodiac spirit he had been cursed with.
He worried if she would see him differently. There were things that Kyo didn't want Marley to know.
"Sorry, I know... I sometimes ask too many questions. I just wish I understood better." Marley's eyes looked out at the horizon; the water was practically glittering under the sun.
"Why?"
"Well... maybe I could understand, then maybe I could..." Even Marley wasn't sure what she wanted to say. Marley was a curious soul, and Kyo tried to think of what he could say to try and give her anything.
"The previous cat didn't like the water either, or that's I heard." Kyo shrugged, and Marley remembered that the previous cat was Kazuma's grandfather. Marley's eyes travelled to Kyo's wrist, where his prayer bead encircled.
The ones that kept the cat's true form hidden.
"Did the previous cat also wear that bracelet?" Marley asked, and Kyo held his wrist out to her so she could get a better look.
"yeah."
"They're very pretty, looks like...dyed clay beads." Marley lightly touched the beads, her fingers gingerly feeling their texture.
"Human bones." Kyo informed her, and Marley's eyes widened a bit at the new information.
"Some famous monk or something made it. Apparently, the red ones are coated with human blood. We're talkin' about hundreds of years ago, though. I don't know how much of the story's real." Kyo tried to play it off, but Marley's eyes could tell that this was something that weighed heavily on his shoulders. Her gaze made Kyo let out a small sigh, and some of his thoughts spilled over his lips as he felt safe sharing with the compassionate girl.
"But.. I understand at the very least... that people's lives were sacrificed to make this talisman. Ever since I was a little kid, I thought that was strange." Kyo's voice was soft, but Marley caught every word.
Where do I get off... stayin' alive because of other people's sacrifices... Other people's lives?! Stealin' the most precious thing of all... tramplin' on other people!
Kyo's eyes seemed to drift away, a sadness overcame him, and Marley felt helpless as she could just watch.
No, she couldn't.
Warm hands reached for Kyo's wrist, encircling it in a gentle hold, nails lightly hitting the bone beads of the talisman. Marley's heart went out to him, and she wished she could take away the pain in his eyes, but Marley figured she could, at the very least, let him know that she was here for him.
Just like that, Kyo was brought back to the present and felt himself soften as he gazed over at bright amethyst eyes that held nothing but concern for him.
I don't deserve such kindness, yet here you are... looking at me like that.
The moment was interrupted when a massive wave washed over the two. The wave retreated back to the ocean, but the damage had been done. Both teens were soaked to the bone and sputtering out saltwater.
"Well... I guess you can't escape the water..." Marley giggled as she shook out her book, which was now completely drenched but she hardly looked bothered by the sudden waves.
"You... STUPID OCEAN!" Kyo jumped to his feet as he yelled at the vast ocean, and Marley could only blink owlishly as she watched.
"I'll kill you! You got that! Go to hell, you asshole!" Kyo waved his fist, and Marley laughed before deciding to join in, jumping to her feet and yelling at the ocean too.
"Ya! You better watch ocean! Kyo's the sand guardian! Guardian of the sand!" Marley tried to do a war cry, but she just started laughing. Kyo glared and held Marley's face in his hands, squishing her cheeks slightly.
"Don't laugh at me." Kyo told her, but it was hardly intimidating, and Marley just continued laughing.
"I'm not! Its... At the ocean, I swear. And a f-funny vine!" The girl could barely put words together, and the words she did just confused Kyo more.
"A what?" Marley's word sometimes made no sense to Kyo.
"Are you guys, alright?" Tohru called out as she walked through the shallows towards where Marley and Kyo were.
"The ocean answers back?" Marley joked, and Kyo rolled his eyes.
"We saw that wave take you guys out. It was hilarious." Miguel laughed as he walked out of the ocean and chuckled over Kyo looking like a drowned cat
Cold dark eyes had watched the whole scene and felt a tightening coil in her stomach. Akito had been on a walk with Kureno when they stumbled upon the two.
"The Monster... Doesn't seem to have a care in the world. Even though it killed its own mother." The head of the Sohma clan scoffed as she glared down at the Cat of the Zodiac. Marley panicked as she looked for something and Kyo seemed to laugh as he easily found what she had been looking for.
A book, now soaked by the ocean, was placed in Marley's hands and her shoulders sagged before getting a determined look on her face and waving the book around as if that would solve the problem. Kyo grabbed it from her and held it out of her reach, seeming to tease her over something, and Marley giggled before trying to grab it back.
The two looked like they were having fun, and Akito found herself uncomfortable.
"Let's go back. It's too hot. I don't feel well." Akito was already walking, and Kureno obediently followed.
"But now I get it. The most deluded one here is that Monster." Akito sneered, her fists clenching as she thought of Marley and Kyo smiling and laughing together.
It was disgusting.
Another pair of eyes watched over the scene and let out a sigh of relief from a little way away. Yuki was grateful that Akito hadn't made contact. But another sight caught his attention has noticed a young woman with long black hair walking down a path.
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.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
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Tohru was bringing down some of the laundry as a light summer breeze blew through. Miguel was taking a nap on the couch, and Kyo was using the bath to get rid of the saltwater.
It had been a wonderful day at the beach, and they had returned to the house for a small lunch and a break from the hot midday sun. The girls were taking down the laundry; not many words were exchanged as it seemed both girls had a lot on their minds.
A strong wind blew, and one of the white sheets came loose off the laundry line and floated towards the forest.
"Aah Wait! Please don't fly away!" Tohru called, and Marley laughed a bit as she continued taking down the rest of the laundry, figuring Tohru would be okay to collect the runaway fabric on her own.
The brunette found the sheet resting on a bush and was relieved to find it, but another sight made her breath stop for a moment. There, lying in the middle of the grass, was a dark chocolate coloured horse. Their dark eyes locked onto Tohru, and the girl jumped up.
"Horse!" She stood up so quickly and ended up bumping her head on the tree a few steps behind her.
"Wh-whats a horse doing here?" Tohru asked as she stumbled forward and rubbed the back of her head. Her eyes scanned the area and noticed a pair of boots and a purse, which gave her some clues.
"A member of the-"
"Rin!" Yuki entered the small clearing and surprised Tohru.
"So, it is you, Rin."
"Yuki-Kun?"
"I thought I saw her earlier, so I followed... but I guess you found her first Honda-San." Yuki told her, and Tohru began to fret.
"N-no, Um. I only happened to find her lying here just now.."
"This is Rin... Isuzu Sohma." Yuki made the introductions, and Tohru was still in slight shock as she nodded and repeated the young woman's name, adding a polite suffix to the end.
"As you can see, she's the horse. But why did you transform, Rin? Are you not feeling well?" Yuki asked, concern in his eyes for his fellow Zodiac member, but Isuzu stayed silent, her dark eyes glaring at him.
"Um, maybe someone should call Hatori-San-" Tohru was interrupted by Yuki pulling her aside just in time to miss a kick from the horse.
"Rin, you could really hurt someone while in your horse form." Yuki scolded, but Isuzu didn't seem to care.
The horse began to rise to their feet, and a popping sound filled the area along with dark red smoke and in its place sat a beautiful woman with long ebony hair and striking deep brown eyes.
"Don't...Call Anyone." Isuzu's words rang through the clearing as her cold eyes stared into Tohru's.
"E-excuse me! Um, USE THIS!" Tohru panicked as she threw the white sheet at Isuzu so she could cover her bare body.
"Um- I'll grab her a change of clothes!" And before anyone could argue, Tohru had run back towards the summer house. Tohru felt so flustered as she never thought she would get to meet another Zodiac here of all places.
Possessed by the horse spirit... a girl, and she's beautiful. In fact, the expression 'bewitching beauty' was made for people like her...
It was then the voice of the other girl that was a bewitching beauty in Tohru's mind interrupted the flushed brunette's thoughts.
"Tohru? Were you not able to get the runaway sheet?" Marley asked her as she noticed that Tohru came back empty-handed.
"Ah Marley-Chan! I.. I don't think my clothes will fit her!" Tohru said as she looked through some of the clean laundry in the basket, and Marley tilted her head, wondering what Tohru was talking about.
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"Don't push yourself too hard. You're obviously not feeling well. And anyway... why are you here?" Yuki asked as he tried to think of what possible reason the Horse of the Zodiac would be in the area. The grey-haired boy watched as Isuzu picked up her belongings, and he recalled the conversation he had with Hatsuharu.
"I was dumped... we'd kept our relationship secret..."
"Are you here to see someone?" Yuki asked, and in an instant, his shirt's collar was in Isuzu's fist, her large eyes glaring daggers into him.
"Shut up! Where I go or what I do is none of your business!" She growled, but Yuki was hardly fazed.
"You better not tell... anybody that I was here because if you do, I swear I'll kill you!" She threatened as her grip tightened.
"You'll kill me? I think we both know you wouldn't be able to fulfill that threat, right?"
"Don't be cocky. In the end... Your just Akito's toy!" Isuzu snapped, and Yuki hardly seemed fazed, but another voice broke through, and the two Zodiacs widened their eyes.
"Isuzu!"
The girl froze in her actions, and she looked over to see Marley staring at her, shock in her eyes, and Isuzu could feel any fight she had in her drain away. Marley had barely used Isuzu's name, usually calling her 'Zuzu.' The Dark haired woman felt a wave of shame flow over her as she realized how harsh her words had been, but it was too late to take them back.
Marley walked forward and looked at her dear friend with such sad eyes. Marley had no idea why Isuzu was there but was more shocked by the words she had thrown at Yuki.
But the sun-kissed girl could see the storm brewing behind Isuzu's eyes and let out a soft sigh before holding her hand out to her.
"Lets go to the house. We'll have some tea together." Marley offered, her eyes filled with the kindness and love that Isuzu craved. Tohru watched and was in slight awe as it seemed like the two beautiful young women looked like a painting and reminded Tohru of the yin and yang symbol.
Marley's long white-blonde hair was flowing behind her in waves and curls, her brown skin had noticeably gotten darker with all the time she had spent in the sun. It was such a contrast to Isuzu's straight black hair and skin as pale as snow.
Isuzu eye's travelled from Marley's open palm to the black and red friendship bracelet around her wrist. The one Isuzu herself had made after Marley had gifted her a bracelet woven off purple and gold. Her eyes began to burn with angry tears as Isuzu tried to figure out how she ended up here. How did she end up on the other end of that disappointing look from Marley?
No matter how much the Horse tried to push Marley away... why was she still so kind? All Isuzu wanted was for Marley to not get caught up in the black hole that was the Sohma family but yet... Here she was. Smiling kindly and lending a hand, almost identical to that day they met when Isuzu was hiding in Marley's room from hospital staff.
And Isuzu wanted to take that hand and be led back to a safe place.
But... The Horse didn't want to drag Marley further into the darkness.
The angry girl slapped Marley's hand away, causing Tohru and Yuki to let out a collected gasp as Marley held her hand to her chest and winced a little bit. Isuzu clenched her jaw and grabbed the clothes that Tohru was holding.
"Don't tell anyone... DON'T SAY A WORD!" She yelled before running off down a forest path, her long legs carrying her away in haste.
"Marley-Chan...Are you -" But Marley had already started running after Isuzu, and Tohru wasn't sure what to do.
"Rin and Marley-San are apparently close. I wouldn't be too worried." Yuki comforted Tohru, but she still looked concerned.
"Oh..."
"But.. Let's do her a favour and not mention to anyone that we saw her." Yuki asked of her, and Tohru nodded.
"I'd better get back before people get suspicious. Nobody knows that I slipped away. Sorry for the commotion. We'll try to get back to the house as early as we can..." Yuki wished he could walk her back and stay in her company, but it would only lead to trouble for her.
"I'll be waiting." Tohru smiled gently, and Yuki felt his heart warm. Yuki smiled and walked off down the path that both Marley and Isuzu had run off towards. He only found Marley, who was looking around looking lost.
"I...I lost track of her." Marley admitted, and Yuki could see she was trying to cover up her distress with a smile.
"Did you two... have a fight?" Yuki asked as he watched Marley's face go through an array of emotions. Marley's eyes were full of worry, but it was filled with a sense of sadness and slight disappointment.
"No... But I know she's upset with me." Marley revealed as she let out a large sigh. Marley wouldn't say why Isuzu was upset with her. It wasn't like she could just say;
'Oh, my best friend told me to stay away from the boy I'm crushing on due to a curse and also that another friend is in love with the same guy, and it's hopeless.'
Marley still had Kagura's handkerchief that was decorated with orange kitties and cute florals in the embroidery. She reminded herself to give it back when she returned to the Estate.
"Are you mad at her?" Yuki asked as he couldn't imagine what the two girls could be fighting about.
"What? No, nothing like that! I just... I wish I knew what I could to reach her." Marley admitted as she looked down another path in hopes of maybe catching sight of the girl.
"Are you looking for Zuzu too?" Marley asked as she brought out her phone and started tapping on it, sending out a few messages to Isuzu asking her to please call or text back.
"I wanted to go after her, but I should head back to the annex." Yuki knew that he was pushing it by being away for so long.
"Ah, right. How is it?" Marley had almost forgotten about the annex with the commotion and surprise of seeing Isuzu.
"Its fine." Yuki simply put as he put on the smile that Marley recognized from school when he was being polite and dealing with fangirls.
"You.. Don't want to be there... do you?" Marley knew so little, but she felt like she was picking up pieces to a puzzle, bit by bit.
"I'll see you when we get back." Yuki left Marley on the path, and she hated the slightly dejected look that showed through the boy's shoulders as he walked off. And so, Marley got an idea.
"Wait! I'm coming with." Marley jogged up beside Yuki, and he was slightly shocked and tried to insist that she head back to the summer home, but Marley wasn't really listening; she had made up her mind, her own stubbornness shining through.
"I did say I would visit Akito. Better now than never." She insisted before bringing out her phone, making sure it was not on silent so she could hear the notifications. Her mind was still wondering about Isuzu, and a part of her was hopeful that maybe she had headed towards the annex. But she sent a few more messages, in hopes that her dear friend was getting them.
+Wherever you are, Zuzu, I hope you're okay+
+Please, just talk to me, I'm worried about you+
+I 3 you+
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.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-..-.-.-.-..-.-.-..-.-..-.-..-.-.-..-
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"Oh your back!" Tohru greeted the Zodiac members as they flooded into the house; she had just finished putting away the laundry and wasn't expecting to come down to such a pleasant surprise. But the troubled looks on some of their faces made Tohru's smile slip away.
"Akito... said that he didn't need to see us for the rest of the day. So now we can hang out here with you." Yuki told Tohru and had a smile on his lips, but the girl could see that his eye's held concern.
"Um, Marley is going to spend the day at the annex, with Akito. She apologizes for not being able to help you with the rest of the laundry." Yuki relayed Marley's message; it was the last thing she said before Akito dragged her away to a private room.
"She what?" Kyo appeared, a towel around his neck as he walked downstairs.
"I think... Marley wanted us to spend time here, but... She didn't want to leave Akito alone either." Momiji explained, and Kyo let out a scoff before disappearing upstairs.
Tohru looked around the room. She was happy that the Sohma's were here, but one was missing, and it didn't seem fair. She realized that Marley must have done this for her, Kyo and Miguel. So that they could enjoy the beach together. Tohru was going to do her best to make sure everyone had fun.
And Tohru noticed that Hatori and Shigure were not here, so she assumed that meant that they would be with Akito and Marley and that little thought made Tohru feel a bit better about Marley being at the annex.
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.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
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Things were generally peaceful in the annex between the two girls who held high positions in the Sohma family.
The two had played cards, and Marley had lost almost every game, and Akito wondered how one person could have so much bad luck in a simple card game, and Marley's poker face was non-existent when it came to the game.
The girl had tried talking Akito into going to the summer house to join everyone, but it had been shot down before Marley could even finish the sentence. So the two stayed indoors, listening to music and sipping on chilled matcha tea served by the maids.
Now here you go again
You say you want your freedom
Well, who am I to keep you down
It's only right that you should
Play the way you feel it
But listen carefully
To the sound of your loneliness
Like a heartbeat drives you mad
In the stillness of remembering what you had
And what you lost
And what you had
And what you lost
Marley ran a brush through Akito's short hair as she hummed along to Fleetwood Mac. She was prepping Akito's hair to be braided, just for fun. Marley noticed Akito's curious eyes when Marley had braided her own hair and put it up in a cute updo. The white-blonde knew that Akito was too proud to ask and just offered, which made an excited look pop into Akito's dark eyes.
As Marley worked, she kept looking down at her phone in case Isuzu texted back.
She hadn't yet.
"You looked like you were having fun earlier..." Akito had been replaying the scene from the beach in her head. Marley and Kyo smiling at each other in broad daylight, how easily Marley put her hands on him and how comfortable they seemed to be with one another.
It created an ugly feeling in Akito's chest.
"On the beach... and you got hit with that wave." Akito reminded her, and Marley got a small blush on her face.
"You saw that? Oh man, that was embarrassing. But Kyo was so funny when he was challenging the ocean." Marley laughed as she combed out Akito's dark locks.
"you should have come down and said hi." Marley said, and Akito didn't want to get into another conversation about how she should open herself up to new situations and people.
"Tch, I hate the beach." Akito scoffed.
"... then... why did you come?" Marley asked, slightly confused as to why Akito would come all the way from the Sohma Estate to the summer resort if she was just going to stay inside the annex and not enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the resort.
"Are you not happy that I'm here." Akito suggested, frustrated that Marley had taken so long in coming up to the annex to see her.
"It's not that...I invited you to the summer house, and you said no... but if you hate the beach, then why did you come to this summer resort?" Marley was truly curious as to what brought Akito to the summer resort. Akito gritted her teeth as she couldn't find anything to say. She knew she couldn't say that she came here to keep the Zodiacs away from Tohru. Marley would hate her for that...
"I just don't understand how you can have so much fun by hanging out with the Ca-" Before Akito could finish, Marley cut her off.
"Kyo. Yes, I'm always happy when I get to spend time with him. He's my friend." Marley had no problem interrupting Akito, but as soon as those last words left her lips, she got a little embarrassed over how cheesy it sounded.
"You sound like you're in love with him." Akito's voice was a mixture of laughter and disbelief, and Marley felt like a fool.
"No, no. Kyo is just a really good friend. Though I won't deny that I might have a crush on him." Marley tried to keep her voice light, laughing and trying to play it off as nothing but Akito grabbed her by her wrist, studying Marley's face closely as her grip tightened.
Thunder only happens when it's rainin'
Players only love you when they're playin'
Women, they will come, and they will go
When the rain washes you clean, you'll know
Oh, thunder only happens when it's rainin'
Players only love you when they're playin'
Say women, they will come and they will go
When the rain washes you clean, you'll know
You'll know
You will know
Oh, you'll know
Akito's dark eyes were staring deep in Marley's, and she saw anger but also... fear, and Marley could feel Akito slightly shaking.
"He'll never love you. He's the Cat, and my Zodiac-" Akito was going to continue, but Marley cut her off again and placed her hand on top of the hand Akito had around Marley's wrist, causing it to soften and slip away.
"Don't worry... it's just a crush. And I know he wouldn't see me like that." Marley's voice broke a little, but she kept going, a sad smile gracing her lips as her large eyes glassed over. Marley sat behind Akito to plait her hair, trying to tell herself that everything was okay.
"Just as long as you remember your place, you are not one of us." Akito hoped that would be the end of it, feeling confident that Marley wouldn't betray her and do something foolish.
"Don't worry, it's hard to forget." Marley admitted as she swallowed the lump in her throat and willed the tears she had in her eyes to not fall as she continued plaiting Akito's short hair, placing a pin to keep the braid in place. It had felt like a hand was gripping her heart and giving it a tight squeeze, a sharp painful reminder shaking through her body.
Marley was always an outsider no matter she went. In the village she was born, she looked too different; being only half Indian made her less than whole in their eyes. In America, her looks and accent made her stick out. And now she was an outsider not just in the Sohma family but in Japanese society.
The bronze-skinned beauty was still handed the English menu's in restaurants, even after speaking fluent Japanese with the staff. From how she looked to how she acted, Marley just felt like she would always be; the outsider.
The girl pretended not to be too bothered by it as she couldn't help how she looked and knew that the people who mattered would accept her. But it still hurt when she was reminded that someone she had feelings for would most likely never even look at her like that.
Because she didn't belong.
Even so, that didn't stop Marley from loving the Sohma family members. They brought her so much joy that she wished she could payback.
Marley thought that maybe Akito and Isuzu thought they were kind by telling her to stop her feelings, but it was only tearing Marley down, and she wished she had kept her feelings to herself.
The God of the Zodiac watched Marley's face in the mirror, and it was unmistakable the hopelessness that washed over her. A dark part feels smug as if this was a triumph, but there was another part that nagged at her to take back the words and apologize. This part of her had come up from time to time, begging her to apologize but-
If The Zodiac loved Marley in Akito's eyes, that would mean that they had fallen out of love with Akito, which wasn't possible due to the bond that connected them.
God and the Zodiacs lived in a world that Marley could never be part of.
"Akito... you were a child born to be loved by all of them. Everyone was waiting for you."
Akito told herself that she was in the right by making sure Marley knew her place and was saving her from heartbreak down the road, as a Zodiac, especially the Cat, could never love anyone but God as that's who the Zodiac had been born to love. But Marley's heartbroken eyes that Akito caught in the mirror made her want to say something that could change that look, but she didn't know what to do.
"Look how cute you look!" Marley gushed as she finished the braids, and Akito's attention was brought back to her own image in the mirror. It was a very girly look for Akito, whose hair usually hung like a mop, and Marley could tell by the way Akito checked herself out that she liked.
But Marley also knew that Akito would never admit to it. The noticeable blush on Akito's cheeks was another giveaway.
"Let's head to the bath. The annex has a lovely open-air bath, and it's finally cool enough outside to enjoy it." Akito suggested, and Marley agreed that a soak in the bath sounded nice before dinner. She hoped that the warm, soothing water would help a bit of the ache she felt in her heart.
Today had undoubtedly been a rollercoaster for Marley's emotions.
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.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
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The members of the Sohma family waited in the living room, some sitting patiently while some paced around the room.
"What's up with them?" Miguel asked as he picked at some of the leftover food from dinner. There were lots left as it seemed no one had a big appetite today.
Kyo had been more agitated than usual. Even when going to the beach with everyone, he only lasted a little while before storming back to the house and had been on the roof since. Tohru had come up to check up on him around dinner, and Kyo did his best not to snap, but it was clear he was worried.
Tohru looked at the Zodiac members, and it wasn't hard to recognize that they all seemed to be nervous. Akito weighed heavily on all of them, and she could only assume that they were worried for Marley, who was spending the day with Akito at the annex.
"I'm sure they're just excited for Marley-Chan to return." Tohru said softly as she put together a plate of food and wrapped it up. It was a spare plate for Marley in case she was hungry.
"Who is this Akito anyway." Miguel asked, not understanding how one person could change the entire vibe of a room.
"Akito-San is the head of the Sohma family." Tohru mentioned, and Miguel just nodded. He had been told that before, but he had been hoping for a bit more insight, so he came up with his own ideas.
"Must be a pretty big prick then..." Miguel's words slipped from his tongue so easily, but Tohru's jaw dropped. Miguel gave her a cheesy smile; he knew what he said, and he got the reaction he'd been hoping for.
"But I'm sure Marley's fine right, it's not like she's in trouble, right?" Miguel asked while a look of concern crossing his eyes, and Tohru shook her head, not wanting to believe the worst situation.
"Marley-Chan seems to be good friends with Akito-San. I'm sure they're having fun." Tohru smiled and hoped she was right.
The sound of the front door opened, and it made everyone's head pop up and stare at the entranceway. There stood the girl who had been on their minds in a pretty purple yukata with geometric patterns and a dark purple obi.
"Sorry, was I interrupting something?" Marley asked as she noticed everyone's eyes on her as she slipped off her sandals.
"Marley-Chan! You look so cute!" Momiji was quick to bounce right over, and Marley smiled as Momiji took both her hands in his and dragged her over to the living room.
"Oh, I got to bathe in the onsen at the annex, and the maids were kind enough to layout this yukata for me." Marley blushed a little as she felt a bit self-conscious in it. Marley tried to divert the attention away from her and asked how their day was.
"We went to the beach and made sandcastles." Momiji got excited just talking about it, and Marley gushed and admitted that sounded like so much fun, a little sad that she had missed out on the fun.
But there was always tomorrow, right?
Loud footsteps came down the stairs, and everyone looked over to see Kyo coming down and rushing over to Marley, stopping only inches from her.
"Oh, hello, Kyo." Marley lightly blushed as he seemed so close to her, she could smell the laundry detergent on his clothes.
He looked her up and down as if checking for something, and Marley could only blink owlishly, wondering what he was up to.
"Kyo really missed you, Marley-Chan." Momiji teased, which led to Kyo telling him to shut up, and the two continued back and forth. Marley couldn't help but giggle; her heart was in a delicate state but even seeing Kyo was somehow both hard and relief.
"Um... Would... Would you like to watch a movie Marley-Onee-Chan?" Kisa asked as she took Marley's hand.
"Of course, Honey Bee. Let me just slip on some pj's, and I'll be right down." And Marley did just that. She slipped off the traditional clothing and put on an oversized shirt with Whitney Houston's face on it and some grey shorts.
When she came back downstairs, everyone was in the living room and waiting for her. Marley felt like everyone was just staring at her, and then when she asked if something was wrong, they would shake their heads and insist everything was fine.
They found an animated movie to watch, some had seen, and it was new to others. Kisa sat on one side of Marley while Momiji occupied the other empty seat, making themselves comfortable. Marley enjoyed the movie and was happy to be with her dear friends, but her mind wandered.
"Just as long as you remember your place, you are not one of us."
Things that she knew, but Akito's words still hurt.
But as she was surrounded by some of her dear friends, despite not being 'one of them,' she still felt their love and knew she was lucky to have them.
The ending credits rolled by, and Marley looked down at Momiji who's head laid in her lap, fast asleep. He wasn't the only one, Kisa had dozed off against Marley's shoulder, and she only looked down on them with purple eyes filled with fondness. Mostly everyone wished her goodnight before disappearing upstairs to go to bed.
"You became part of the furniture." Kyo teased, and Marley softly giggled, careful not to wake the two.
"I don't want to wake them; they look so peaceful." Marley sighed as she ran her hands through Momiji's soft yellow locks. Hatsuharu came and picked up Kisa with ease and wished everyone goodnight.
"The Rabbits too old to pull this kind of crap." Kyo crossed his arms and shook his head, but Marley knew that even Kyo had a soft spot for Momiji. The two seemed like siblings sometimes, Momiji was like a curious younger brother, wanting to know what Kyo was always up to, and Kyo seemed to become more patient.
For the most part, at least...
"I sometimes forget...He really looks like a child, especially when he's sleeping like this." Marley admitted.
"...fine." Kyo groaned, and to Marley's slight surprise, he picked Momiji up without waking him, proving his gentle nature.
"Don't tell anyone..." Kyo eyed her, and Marley smiled but put a finger to her lips and motioned that she was crossing her heart. The orange-haired teen rolled his eyes, but Marley was able to catch a small smile. Kyo was so kind, even if Marley knew he would deny it.
He told her goodnight as he carried Momiji up the stairs and the image of the orange-haired boy gently carrying Momiji left her feeling warm and giddy. Marley fanned her face as if that would make her red cheeks disappear, telling herself to calm down.
I wonder if this is how that Yuki fan club feels...
The white-blonde groaned at her own thought, not wanting to be like the over-zealous girls that placed Yuki on a pedestal and hoped she wasn't like them.
And then Marley was alone, and she took a moment to lean back into the soft cushions, collecting her thoughts as she fiddled with her silver locket. After a few deep breathes, she rose from the couch and walked to the kitchen to make herself a small cup of tea.
While waiting for the water to boil, she again checked her phone. Still, nothing from Isuzu, so Marley sent another text along with a text to Kagura asking if Isuzu was at home.
"I think they were worried or something..." Miguel's voice surprised Marley as she thought that she was alone and the kettle went off at the same time, and Marley hurried to take it off the stove
"Worried?" Marley asked, curious why her friends would be worried about her when they had enough of their problems to worry about. It was true that she kept feeling their gazes on her for most of the evening, but it had stopped after a while.
The white-blonde just figured that she might have caused a bit of stir by separating the Zodiacs from their God, if only for just a little. But she wanted all her friends to spend some time together, but Akito was stubborn, and she didn't want to leave Akito on her own, and she felt like that was the best option at the moment.
Marley admitted that she wasn't entirely present, she had other things on her mind, and she felt a strain on her heart. And she felt like there was no one to really talk to about it.
"What's up with this Akito dude anyway?" Miguel was curious about the mystery surrounding the head of the Sohma clan. He had never met the guy, yet Akito seemed to be trying to ruin his beach vacation.
"Akito... he's just different." Marley made sure to use male pronouns as very few knew of Akito's secret and didn't want to be the one to let the secret slip. Miguel raised a brow and asked to explain as he grabbed a soda from the fridge.
"I think Akito grew up really sheltered...surrounded by people who only saw him as 'The head of the Sohma Clan.'" Or as 'God' but Marley couldn't mention that.
"So, he's a spoiled brat?" Miguel bluntly put, and Marley sighed.
"Akito can be." Marley had to admit that Akito's tantrums reminded her of a young child, and the way the staff catered to her didn't help. The two could be hanging out, and it only took a moment for Akito to snap, and the look in Akito's eyes sometimes reminded her of a scared cornered animal, ready to attack to survive.
She had seen it today when Akito had gripped her wrist and stared her down, warning her not to fall for Kyo. But not due to the curse per se if it were hopeless to fall in love with someone you could never hold. It seemed more like as if... In Akito's eyes, Kyo belonged to her.
But people don't belong to people...
The girl knew a little about Akito's relationship with her parents. Her father had apparently been a kind man but had passed when she young. And then there was Ren Sohma, Akito's mother, who Akito loathed. Marley had been told that Ren felt the same towards Akito.
Marley wondered if that was partly why Akito's bond to the Zodiac meant so much to her because it was the only love she had grown up knowing.
So she held on tight in hopes of never being left...
Akito was God, and the Zodiacs lived for her was what Marley had been told. It didn't sit right as she believed that the Sohma's who had been cursed with the Zodiac spirits were people with their own dreams and lives.
Marley didn't believe they only lived for their 'God.'
But she had stayed silent as Akito had looked scared as if... if it wasn't for the curse, then who would Akito be?
"... I think he's incredibly lonely." Marley simply stated as she took out the teabag from her cup and put it in the disposal.
"How so? The guy seems to have everyone in the palm of his hand or something. He's had everyone up at the annex."
"Sometimes you can be surrounded by people and still feel alone. And I think..." She wanted to mention that Akito's mother was not the mothering type. Even the brief moment that Marley sat with her, she could tell that something dark and twisted within her, and Marley wondered if Ren had passed that on to Akito. Ren's decision to have Akito raised a man instead of a woman was still a mystery to Marley, and she felt it had only made Akito misogynistic, but Marley could see that Akito was just...lost.
And Alone.
"Its a terrible feeling and... I don't want anyone in my life to feel that way." The girl had a small smile on her face, but there were traces of sorrow on her face.
"I just don't want to see someone take advantage. You're too forgiving and... I haven't met the guy but judging by everyone's reaction to him... Just be careful." Miguel wished Marley took care of herself more, but he also knew that was just how she was.
Marley was overwhelmingly kind and open, and it seemed she wore rose-coloured glasses, seeing the world through her optimistic lense. While it was one of the things that made her amazing, it also made her seem naive and vulnerable to people who would take advantage. A part of Miguel knew that if weren't for her kind nature and her seeing good in him, despite his intimidating look and trouble that followed, then they would have never been friends.
He was grateful for her ability to see the good in everyone, but that didn't mean he didn't worry. What if she was seeing something that wasn't there? What if this 'Akito' took advantage and did something.
"These guys...they really care about you. It was funny watching them swarm you when you came back." Miguel was referring to the Sohma's and Tohru. Marley's new family and friends, and the more he got to see of them, the better he felt about Marley living here.
"But you guys still had lots of fun, right?" That was all she wanted; Marley wished she could have been there, but she hadn't known what else to do in order for the Zodiac members to leave Akito's side for a bit and join Tohru, Miguel and Kyo.
"Hell yeah. I wish you had been here but check this out." Miguel whipped out his phone and showed her some pictures of everyone at the beach. Miguel handed over his phone and let Marley flip through the photos.
"Check out Tohru's sandcastle." Miguel pointed, and Marley paused on the picture. The sandcastle looked more like a few mounds but was decorated with lots of seashells. But what really caught Marley's attention was Miguel and Tohru's body language, and her interest had peaked.
The two looked really cute together, and Marley wanted to say something, but she bit her tongue. Was it okay for her to comment on Miguel's love life, or would it be considered insensitive? Marley hoped that Miguel's feelings for her were long gone because she wanted him to move on and find someone truly worthy of him.
And Tohru's and Miguel's height difference was honestly both hilarious and adorable to the white-blonde. She was on board and would down with this ship.
"...Soo.. what else did you get up to?" Marley was curious about what else everyone had gotten up to while also reminding herself to keep an eye on her two friends as she was excited for a chance of a romance between two people she cared for.
"Kisa and Hiro collected seashells and gave them to Tohru to decorate with." Miguel explained, and Marley was a little surprised as Hiro had not been Tohru's biggest fan. But she smiled as she thought maybe Hiro was at least trying.
"Yeah, he didn't look pleased about it, but Kisa only had to ask him to, and he immediately handed over his shells." Miguel pointed, and Marley giggled as she knew that Hiro's weakness was definitely Kisa.
"And Momiji and I found some hermit crabs, and then the castle became their home for a bit." Miguel knew that Marley would get a small joy over the tiny crustaceans.
"Thats adorable, oh my god." Marley gushed over the little crabs, and she loved the bright smiles everyone in the photo had. Marley was a bit envious that she didn't get to be there and hoped that maybe tomorrow they could show her how to make sandcastles.
"Tohru and Momiji are so tiny compared to you." Marley giggled as she came across a photo of Tohru, Momiji and Miguel' flexing' next to the 'castle.' They all looked so silly, and Tohru looked to be in a mid-laugh as she tried to copy the muscle man poses Momiji and Miguel were doing.
"Well, these guns are pretty big." Miguel did a muscle man pose, and Marley laughed and paused as her mind wandered to a memory.
"Remember when we took a trip to Santa Monica pier?" Marley asked as she handed the phone back to Miguel.
"Oh yeah, and your dad ended up in a competition with those muscle beach guys-" Miguel knew precisely what she was getting at.
"And then Mama was the one who ended up showing them all up and outlasting them in pull-ups." Marley excitedly brought up, and the two laughed, but it died down, and a wave of sadness crashed over Marley, and Miguel watched as her eyes got glossy.
"I miss them too." Miguel admitted, and Marley bit the inside of her cheek as her eyes burned.
"I just...wish things could be...I wish we could all be together again..." Marley tried to smile, but Miguel felt uneasy and reached out and pulled her into his chest, and Miguel rested his head on top of Marley's.
Miguel's large arms held her, and Marley felt herself give in to the affection that she hadn't realized she had been missing. Wrapping her arms around his large frame as he rubbed her back. It was nothing romantic, it was only an embrace out of comfort.
Large brown eyes peeked around the corner and caught sight of the two in the tight embrace, she had only come down since Marley still hadn't come to bed and was worried, but now, she wishes she had stayed in bed. Tohru's hand wandered to her heart, and a strange feeling washed over her. It felt... ugly and painful. The girl stepped back and rushed back upstairs, quickly getting into bed, tightly closing her eyes but only seeing Marley and Miguel embrace.
Tohru knew that the two had a past, but now she wondered who they were to each other now. Were they together?
Tohru thought back to the time that she, Hana and Uo had spelt over at Marley's house, and Tohru had seen the picture of Miguel, who looked so handsome. How Uo had asked about the mystery boy, and Marley admitted about their romantic past.
"Well...Miguel was my first..." Marley blurted while also lightly blushing.
"Your first...?" Marley just blushed harder, and the lightbulb went on in Uo's head...and then all hell seemed to break loose.
"OH MY GOD! I thought you were just gonna say you guys kissed or something." Uo was practically shaking Marley back and forth and then stopped suddenly when she had another realization.
"HE WAS THE ONE WHO GAVE YOU HICKIES!" Uo laughed as she remembered a recent conversation about Marley's past romances, where she had kept a tight lid.
"But man, what a hottie." Uo whistled, looking at the photo that Tohru still held in her hands.
The image of the two of them popped up in her mind. They made a very beautiful couple as to Tohru; both Marley and Miguel looked like they had walked off a movie set, and it made Tohru feel self-conscious.
A rice ball in a fruit basket...
Only a few moments later, the door to the room opened again, and Tohru pretended to be asleep as the bed shifted as Marley gently got under the covers. The only sound in the room was the soft snores of Kisa and Marley as Tohru wrested with her thoughts.
The tight feeling in her chest wouldn't leave as Tohru tried to get to sleep. She could only hope that the morning, that ugly feeling would disappear.
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"Today was interesting." Smoke slipped through the Dog's lips as he stared out into the foliage; the summer evening was calm; they could even hear the waves of the ocean breaking into the beach.
"I hoped the kids had a good time." Hatori thought of how shocked the young Zodiacs members had looked when Marley showed up, and Akito said that they could go back to the summer home before draping herself over Marley and pulling her into a room.
"Akito seemed happy for a bit. Didn't even complain about the food..." It had been a tranquil day, which was surprising since Shigure thought that Akito would be more hostile with the Zodiac's spending the day with Tohru instead. But Marley proved to give Akito all the attention she craved, and Shigure would be lying if he said that didn't frustrate him.
"I wish you didn't look so disappointed about that." Hatori put out the last bit of his cigarette.
The two heard the sound of rushed footsteps from the hallway and forced open a sliding door with surprising speed. The God looked down at the Zodiac members who waited for what she would say.
"Bring Kyo tomorrow." That was all she said before slamming the doors shut.
"... Is this a sign we're in for some nasty weather?" Shigure grinned, and Hatori wished he had made better friends in his teen years.
"You're actually enjoying this, aren't you?" Hatori judged his fellow Zodiac member as he got up from his seat to turn in for the night. The doctor wasn't sure what Shigure was hoping for, but he hoped that no one got hurt due to whatever he was scheming.
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Notes:
Can't think of any notes XD
Songs:
Dreams - Fleetwood Mac
Hello!
Well... next chapter is going to be... I'm both nervous and excited to get to it lol wish me luck.
Thank you so much for reading and thank you for your patience. There is a lot of chaos happening in the world and I hope this chapter helps you escape it if only for a moment.
Please leave a review or send a DM about how your feeling about the chapter. They really do bring me joy to hear how your feeling about the story.