The Undying Curse (A fruits basket Fanfiction)

Chapter Five: Avoiding The Problem

Kikiyo POV: I felt more and more fearful as I watched the clock. Ten more seconds until class let's out...That means...I would be going home to meet the more than likely god of the banquet...I don't want to with all my heart but...I guess it can't be helped. Seven...Six...Five...Four...Three...Two...One. The bell rang, cueing that I was exactly right. I took a deep breath as I grabbed my bag and slowly walked towards the door. When I walked out the doorway, I was met with a pair of cheery green eyes. Takashi was towering above me. I mumbled "H-hey..." He narrowed his eyes as he looked inside the empty classroom and all around the hallway "Hey...I'm going to walk you home today...is that alright?" He was still glancing everywhere. I furrowed my eyebrows "Um...okay." We stepped out of the school and on the sidewalk. He was still acting paranoid and glancing everywhere. I sighed and finally ask "Alright....What is up with you?..." He focused back on me "Hm? Oh...nothing...Just checking..." I heard an annoying voice call out "Hey, Freak show! I think we need to settle some unfinished business!" I look ahead to see Akahana and her posse. I roll my eyes perfect...as if today wasn't going to be enough already... Takashi gave them a death glare as he whispers to me "This is why I wanted to walk you home...So I can avoid them from hurting you again...I was looking everywhere for them, I knew they'd show up...Bullies never leave until you deal with them." A girl from her posse screeched "Come on! Let's finish getting rid of that orange hair of hers! This time we won't use scissors! We will pluck each and every hair out by ripping them from her scalp!" Takashi stood in front of me and held his arm out in front of me "Oh no! Not if I can help it!" Akahana had huge eyes as a light blush that only I caught cast across her face "Ah...Takashi Minobe...from the tenth grade..." Another posse member screamed "Oh yes we will! That orange circus on top of her head is unnatural and looks stupid! We would be doing her a favor if we got rid of it!" Takashi shook his head "No...The orange hair looks amazing on her. And who are you to judge!? She's just another human being like the rest of you! You have no place in making fun or beating up this woman just because her hair is orange! If you have a problem with it well you can deal with it because you can't do a damd thing about it. Not while I'm here at least!" The posse members got really quiet. Takashi lightly grabs my hand "Come on Kikiyo...let's get you home and away from these shameful idiots." He turns around and starts down the sidewalk, still holding my hand to follow. I turn around onlypiron 3521to see Akahana furious. I can probably guess why. I already put the pieces together. She has a thing for Takashi, and him standing up for me and holding my hand and calling her a shameful idiot...Did not please her to much. I just swiped back around and kept up to his walking pace. He mumbled "Ah...I fear I probably didn't do a good enough job to scare them away...they might be back tomorrow, don't worry though, I'll be there to protect you again." I grinned "That was really awesome...t-thanks..." He nods "Hey, what are friends for? I agreed to be here 100 percent." I looked at our hands, I was so pale compared to him, also his palm swallows my puny hand. I felt like I was a kid that held the adults hand just to feel safe. That thought automatically made me think of my parents. They used to hold my hands all the time. Dad on the right, mom on the left. They would do a countdown and when they got to one they would both lift me into the air and I would swing and dangle. It was so exciting for some reason. Just to feel weightless and up in the air, I felt like I was flying when they did that. I loved it so much, they only stopped doing it until I was eight years old and I was to old to be picked up like that.  Takashi broke me from my thoughts by asking "So um where do you live anyways?" I blinked "Um...I take a left this way and after walking a little ways down there, there is a dirt driveway that inclines up. At the top of that inclined driveway is my house." He nods and let's go of my hand "Would you like me to walk you there?" I looked down "Well...If you want to, I doesn't matter to me." He nudged my shoulder "Hey...Your shaking..." Was I? Am I that afraid? I'm shaking...and my breath is getting faster... heart rate rising...I really afraid...No...I'm anxious... Takashi stood in front of me as he called out "Who are you?" I came back to reality when I looked in front of us to see a teenager about as tall as Takashi. He had black hair that was straight until the ends which were curved inward. He was really pale with huge silver gray eyes. He stood at the front of the driveway to my house wearing a black button up shirt and black dress pants. I felt a sudden pang of enormous anxiousness. I felt the need to run as fast as I could...Far away...As far as possible. The mysterious person narrowed his eyes when his gaze fell on the both of us. Quickly, I hid myself a little behind Takashi in which he was already protectively standing before me. Takashi asked once more "Who are you?" The guy slowly closed his eyes "Would one of you happen to be named...Kikiyo Sohma?" I felt my mouth drop. No...It couldn't be...Could it? Is that guy possibly...The new god? The new god...Looking for me...Meaning, He is looking especially for the one cursed by the cat. Me... His voice was so dark and smooth, calming but intimidating. Before I could make a mad dash, Takashi grabbed my hand again and gave me a reassuring smile before answering the person "Kikiyo...Sohma? No, You must be looking for someone else..." The dark boy nodded once "I see...Well you be on your merry way then. Sorry to have bothered you two." Takashi started to walk past him as I kept my head low, Not wanting to make eye contact with the scary being. Once we've walked out of his earshot, Takashi grumbled "I had a weird feeling around that person...He was a little...Dark seeming." I nod "Yeah..." He asked "Why was he looking for you? I lied to him because I could tell you were really panicked..." I shook my head as I reply "I just...It's nothing..." Takashi brought his hands to his hips as he shook his head "That's no good! If your hiding something that is really heavy on yourself then you should tell someone so you could feel better. That's my whole purpose, Is to be your friend and protect you and care and listen and everything." I pursed my lips together "I...Can't tell you this...yet." Takashi stuck his tongue out "Fine...But if you really do need to talk about something...I'm here." I flashed him a quick smile but then scratch my head "So...Since I'm avoiding my house for now, Were are we going?" He nervously chuckled "That's...A fantastic question...I have no idea. Hey! How about you come over to my house! My mom loves visitors and you can stay there until you want to go home." His smile fades and he looked down "Actually...That won't be a great idea...I just remembered something..." I wonder what the sudden change in mood was for... I shook my head "I wouldn't want to intrude anyways..." Takashi thought for a second before mumbling "Well...you could always just use a fake name." I winced "Hu?!" He smirked "Never mind the details, turns out we are going to my house. Just use a fake name...Don't question why...And what ever you do...Don't say your real name out loud when we are around my mom." I scratch my head "K?..." I don't even want to know the story behind this... He pats my shoulder "Let's be off, Yasuko Fukihara." I shuddered "Um...Alright..." We walk a little ways and after a little while we make it to a small apartment building. We enter without a word and it automatically opens up to a kitchen, but the living room is behind the bar which is the only thing separating the two rooms. I slowly took my shoes off as did Takashi. A middle aged woman was sitting behind the table in the living room eating instant ramen and watching T.V. she had dirty blonde hair which was braided and was as long from her head to her elbows. She had a nice figure for a mom and had a casual pink tee with a navy blue skirt down to her knees. Without looking at us, she calls out "Takashi, if that's you then remember to take out the trash. Its piled in the corner of over there." She points at the kitchen and there was two small trash bags against the wall. Takashi calls out "Okay. Hey mom I brought over a friend if that's cool." She quickly snaps her head and examined me "Oh...well that's fine...Please, make yourself at home." I bow "Thank you ma'am." She smirked "Taka I didn't know you had a lady friend...What's her name?" I giggled lightly at the nickname she called him and Takashi rolled his eyes "Mom. She is just a friend. And don't call me Taka...Anyways, Her name is Yasuko Fukihara." I bow once more "Nice to meet you." She bowed "And it's nice to meet you, Miss. Fukihara. I'm Sashimi Minobe." Takashi walked towards his room "We are study partners. C'mon Yasuko." Sashimi giggled "Already calling each other by first name?" Takashi sighed "Mom..." She was giggling some more "Oh lighten up, Taka. I'm making your favorite tonight so be cheerful." He nods sarcastically "Yep cheerful. Got it." Mrs. Minobe rolled her eyes until she caught something "Hey...She has some bandages around her head...Are you alright sweet heart?" Takashi grabs my wrist lightly "She doesn't like to talk about it...can we study now?" She nods as she collected herself to her feet and walked to her kitchen. Takashi nervously smiled at me "My mom...Is really odd...sorry about that." I shook my head with a smile "You two seem really close. It's cute. Is it okay if I call you Taka?" I looked up at him with my huge smile and I could've sworn I saw a faint blush "I..." He looked at the ground "That's what my mom always calls me, ever since I was little...Its embarrassing..." I only chuckled "Haha, that's alright. I have an embarrassing nickname my family uses for me as well." Takashi lightly smiled "Which is?" I hesitated before I mumbled "Kiki..." He opens his door "That's adorable." I felt my face burn red as I reply "Hm...It is embarrassing...I see now..." Takashi walked in as I examined the room. He had paste white walls and brown carpet. His bed was a twin size and was on the parrell wall from the doorway, And next to his bedside was a dresser. His room seemed so empty and simple, No posters made it stand out or anything. There was a closet on the right wall and lastly, There was a small window that had green curtains on them. He held his arms in the air "You like?" I pursed my lips together "Um...Yeah..." I feel so awkward walking into his room...I never been over to anyone else's house that wasn't apart of my family...Especially him being a guy, makes it even more awkward... He curled up on his small twin sized bed and mumbled "Shut the door behind you and sit wherever you want. If you get tired, hungry, thirsty, or anything, tell me. Okay?" I nod as I closed the door gently and formally sat on my knees in the center of the soft carpet. I kept my head hung low at my gaze on my hands. I really don't know what to think right now...And what about Takashi? He has no idea why he even has to let me stay here...He just thinks i'm avoiding some weirdo. And he is okay with that? He is okay with just knowing the basic thought? He doesn't even need an explanation...He just helped me without knowing any details why...I feel guilty, I can't let him help me out so much and still be clueless...That would be selfish...But...I can't tell him of the zodiac curse by all means....What the hell do I do?....I guess if I want to avoid returning the favor of helping me, I just won't let him help me at all. Doing that would make it where I don't owe him an explanation. But, Avoiding his help might drive him away and I would be alone and friendless again. Which i'm used to that, But losing Takashi...I know we haven't been friends for a long time yet but I feel like we are already slightly close friends. I don't want to lose a guy like him, He is actually making me happy a little. I was deep into my thoughts until I shook my head and looked up. Although, When I did so, I looked straight into Takashi's eyes who were staring back at me. How long has he been sitting there staring at my while I was dazed into my own thoughts?... A quick frown went against his lips "Something wrong, Kiki?" I froze with wide eyes. Don't tell me he is going to start calling me that...Just now, It caught me off guard. I gasped "Uh...No! No! Nothing in the slightest! i'm just...Really thinking about something that shouldn't be thought about at a time like this..." Takashi sighed and a widening grin cast across his face "You know...We don't know another really at all...And yet, You trust me way to much." I jumped surprised "Wha?..." He chuckled "Yeah, You became my friend so easily, You didn't call the cops when a random stranger was carrying you, You let me know and walk you home, And lastly, You even come to my own house. I have really thought about this and always wondered...Why? Why do you already trust me so much? It isn't an insult, And there isn't any reason why you shouldn't trust me because believe me, I'm not a bad guy. But...I'm still such a mystery as you are to me." I looked down and didn't know how to answer. He closed his eyes with a smile and stood off his bed and shuffled his feet towards me. Once done, He sat in front of with with crossed legs. I looked up at his kind grin as he whispered "You should really be careful though...I ask because i'm curious and worried. If you trust people so easily they won't always be nice. Just saying...But it's a good thing you met me first, So if you ever stumble across one of those kinds of people, I'll be there to protect you." why is that? why did I trust him so fast?...I don't even know myself... I mumbled "I know...your right...But...I guess the answer to why I trusted you so easily is because you were so kind." he tilted his head to the side "Hm? I was kind?" I nod "Yes. I don't know how to explain it really but...I guess as soon as I met you, I felt at peace, at ease. I felt that...You were really a kind hearted person, I felt really calm. I guess I sensed that you were a very sweet person with a big heart." His eyes got that gleam in them as I continued "I really thought that...You were worth to be around. You made me feel...happy. And that was a good feeling for me. You see...I...I..." I clenched my fist into a ball at my sides "I am very lonely...I...Have no one...I feel like no one is close to me...No one knows the real me...And...I can't get close to anyone...I can't...That's why...I need you to stay away...Please." I felt tears fill my eyes. Everything I just said...I didn't even think about it...It all came out...Why am I crying?...I have to remember to not get to close to anyone...He can't know that i'm a monster...He can't...I had forgotten about the curse...the cat curse... I quickly backed away from him, I had to, I backed up and backed up until my back slammed against the wall. I grit my teeth with the unknown tears trailing my face. Takashi had a sympathetic look in his eye that I knew I can't get used to. He crawled toward me and gently whispers "Kiki...yo..." No...Get back...Stay away...I'll hurt you...Get away from me...Please... Takashi approaches me closer and closer. I'm a monster...I can't lie to myself anymore with Mau's words...I can't...I don't want to hurt anyone else... Takashi was only inches away from my face. He brought his thumb up to my cheek and gently wiped the streaming tears along my cheeks. I only watched him do this with a pained expression. He whispers "You don't have to be alone anymore...Kikiyo...You don't. I know how you feel, I really do. Because to be honest, I don't have any real friends on my own. I have a load of fake ones, That don't give a crap about me. I also, Feel really lonely. And when I met you, I felt the same. I thought I actually met someone, Who could really be a true friend. That's why, when you said you needed one, I was up for the job. We will get closer, I swear. And this is the first step, To a wonderful friendship." I started to tear up again and he had a truly pained expression when he said this, But he forced a smile. I held my hands up to my eyes and he grabbed my arms and pulled them away "No...Don't cover your face and hide away...You need to face your problems. But I will face them with you. Because, We...are friends. Real friends, That care about each other." I shook my head violently "No! Were not! We really aren't! We can't be friends! We just can't! I don't want you to get hurt!" Takashi only hung his head low and whispered "You think I'd get hurt? No, if I'm with you, it doesn't matter if I get hurt. If I'm willing to be your friend that means I'm willing to go through anything and everything for your safety. I don't mind a little pain along the way if it means I can be happy with you. And if there is some things you don't want to tell me...that's alright...I don't need to know everything...Just know....I'm always here to listen." I had a quivering lip as he slowly rose his head up to face me, that same grin growing on his face "So. Let's be happy and help each other out. Let's not be lonely anymore. Let's not live without anyone to talk to. Let's...be friends." I couldn't help but feel so happy. I whipped a smile "Okay..." He still had ahold of my arms lightly. I was against the wall sitting on the ground with crossed legs and Takashi was in front of me on his knees holding my arms. The lights were off and since it was night time by now, the room was severely dark. All except for the moon glistening through the window and displaying on our skin and bright eyes. Takashi was looking deeply into my ocean blue orbs as I was looking into his bright green ones. And once again, that feeling of peace and comfort had returned to me.