"You live under one roof with Kyo and Yuki Sohma?!"
Kyo rolled his eyes at me as Yuki sighed deeply. "Eh? Eh? You didn’t know?" Tohru piped up with that goofy smile of hers. "What’s half breed doing here?" Kyo snorted loudly.
I hissed at Kyo, warning him in the progress. "Who are you calling a half breed!" I raised my fist in anger.
"You, obviously! I thought about calling you a freak, but that would be a compliment!" He retorted harshly. I wasn’t about to let him insult me like this, so I rose from my spot and faced him head on.
"Hey, I can’t blame you for not knowing the difference between a half breed and a freak. It’s too much for your brain to comprehend! Your tiny brain cell needs to work overtime fort that!!"
Kyo’s mouth fell open at my remark. Shigure, Tohru and Yuki stared at me, all of them with a baffled expression on their faces. "A-ah… What am I doing?" I piped up with my hands placed on my head. "I’m sorry for calling you stupid Kyo." I apologized with a deep bow.
Kyo couldn’t say anything. It seems that he was the type of guy that was accustomed to people yelling at him for no reason. He didn’t know how to react in a situation like this one.
"W-well… You should be sorry! You’re a guest here. Show some respect!" I nodded in agreement. He was right.
Just then, Yuki spotted Kisa who was trying her best to hide behind me. "Kisa? Is that you?" Yuki walked up to the little girl and wiped away some dirt from her cheek. "Where were you? We we're all looking for you." He spoke up with that soft tone in his voice.
"Jeez… She was here all along? Why didn’t you warn us, Shigure!" Kyo snapped at the lazy man. "I just thought that the two of you needed some fresh air to cool off, is all." Shigure smiled. "Together?! With him?!! You know that’s not possible! And stop smiling like an idiot!!"
"Are they always like this?" I asked Tohru. She nodded her head, making me sweat-drop. "All’s well that ends well. Sa-chan has remained unharmed, thanks to her savior." Shigure piped up as he flashed a smile in my direction.
Yuki and Kyo stared at me in confusion. Yuki’s facial expression softened up in gratitude as Kyo still stayed the same.
"So you helped Kisa out?" I nodded shyly. "Y-yeah. But it’s not like she gave me a choice in the matter." I muttered out. "Be that as it may, I still thank you from the bottom of my heart."
I was taken aback by his genuine smile. Somehow, the smile that he shows here is a lot different from when he’s in school.
"Yeah. No problem." I mumbled about. "It seems that Kisa-san likes Haru-chan very much. She hasn’t left her side this whole time." Tohru mentioned. Kisa looked up at me with a smile. I melted right then and there. That child needs to be punished for being so cute! In a good way, though..
"I guess she does. Although it’s very rare for Kisa to like someone she just met. You seem to be talented with kids her age, Tanaka-san."
"She’s the tiger, Yuki-kun~." Shigure hummed as he waved his fan around. "That explains it." Yuki muttered out with a sigh to follow. After everything was sorted out, we all gathered around the table for some tea.
"So. Tohru, Yuki and Kyo live together in Shigure’s house. And the three of you are cousins?" I asked them hesitantly.
"That is correct. Shigure is our older cousin. Momiji and Haru are also a part of our big family. And Kisa is our little niece." Yuki explained everything. How could they all be so different, yet so the same?
"I feel a little sick now." I spoke up with a green face. Kisa looked rather worried for me as Tohru rubbed my back softly. "Don’t worry about it, Haru-chan. It’ll take some time to get used to." She encouraged me. "Y-yeah… I guess this is all too much for me to handle on one day."
"But now that we have all that sorted out properly, let’s talk about you shall we?" Shigure said as his eyebrows moved up and down. "Don’t get any ideas, you pervert." Kyo retorted as he smacked Shigure a good one on the head with his own book.
Suddenly, a growling sound could be heard from under the table. Etoile showed herself from Shigure’s lap as her teeth were bared. "What the hell is that?!!" Kyo shrieked out as he jumped up in shock.
I forgot about Etoile being here in the first place. It seems that she took a nap close to Shigure. Kyo’s behavior must of awakened her.
"It’s a dog! Isn’t she cute?" Tohru replied happily as Etoile placed her head back on Shigure’s lap. Shigure patted her gently with a wide grin in Kyo’s direction. "There there, pretty one. Sleep."
"What the hell is a dog doing here!! You know I can’t stand them!!" He snapped at Tohru. Etoile raised her head and started to growl again.
"Okay… Go back to sleep, you stupid mutt." Kyo began to say. "Etoile bared her fangs at Kyo as she barked loudly. "Shigure!!" "Alright… Alright… It’s okay. Don’t mind Kyo-kun. He’s a mean person at heart." Shigure comforted Etoile. She did as she was told and placed her head back on his lap in a comfortable position.
"You seem to be having fun, Shigure." Yuki spoke up softly. Shigure just nodded his head. "It’s not like I care. It’s Kyo’s problem." "You shut up!! I didn’t ask you anything!!" Kyo retorted loudly. "Ano… Can I ask you something?" I spoke up to Shigure.
"Of course. Ask away, my delicate flower."
"How come Etoile’s so comfortable whenever she’s around you? I’ve had her when she was just a little spotless puppy, and I know that she has problems with trusting people. Why are you so different?" I asked him. My curiosity got the best of me again.
"It’s hard to explain. If I told you, I would have to dispose of you." Was his answer as he kept a straight face. Yuki, Kyo and Tohru seemed to freeze up at his statement, making me look around in confusion.
"It’s a joke! A joke!" Shigure replied with a bright smile. Yuki smacked him on the head this time, beating Kyo to the punch. "Yuki-kun. You’re so cold." He muttered out, still with that smile.
"So you’re not going to tell me, huh?" I placed my hands onto my knees as my eyes averted to the floor. "I guess you could say that I can tell how they feel. I can relate to them… This one has gone through quite a lot, hasn’t she?" I looked up at Shigure as I nodded vigorously.
"Y-yes! Etoile… She’s been moved from one family to the other. Even though she was still a puppy, no’ one seemed to like her very much. So it was hard for her to find a good home. One where she wouldn’t be removed from." I heard Etoile’s soft breathing in the atmosphere.
"Why wouldn’t they like her?" Tohru asked me. Kisa held my arm tightly. I just smiled at her. "Well... We were told that she was afraid to place her life in the hands of any family. She doesn’t trust people that easily. And because of that, no’ one showed any interest in her."
Shigure smiled sincerely this time, already knowing about the pain and agony Etoile had to face.
"So... How did she wind up with you? Did you find her in the dog pound?" Kyo asked me. He really wanted to know, which surprised me.
"Not really. Etoile found us. As soon as I ran into that place, her eyes locked onto mine. She didn’t bark… She didn’t jump up… She just kept staring at me with those big eyes of hers. I asked them why no’ one offered to pick her up, and they explained everything to us. But even though I knew about her problems, I still wanted to care for her. I begged my parents to take her home with us." I said as Etoile seemed to wake up.
"It seems that all of our hard work paid off." I grinned widely. "And you did a good job. You should be proud of yourself." Shigure began to say.
"Yeah.."
"Well.. I should call Sa-chan's parents. They must be worried about her." Shigure spoke up as he rose from his spot. Etoile yawned lightly before she got up and followed Shigure in the hallway. "I’m going to take a bath." Kyo muttered out as he walked up the stairs. I just sighed deeply. Kisa didn’t move an inch.
"I guess I should be leaving soon. I don’t want my parents to worry about me either." Upon hearing this, Kisa held onto my hand tightly. She really didn’t want for me to go. "I really need to go, Kisa." I said to her.
Kisa already started to cry a little. She reminded me so much of myself when I was her age. It was like I was looking in the mirror.
As I was staring in her tear-stained eyes, I couldn’t help but to think of Hideki. He was always there for me whenever I needed him. He had a weird way to show that he cared by mocking me, teasing me…
And now, I’m showing my appreciation with a lousy fight. Why did I had to be so selfish?
"It’s okay Kisa." I patted her softly on the head. "I prefer to see your smiling face, but if you feel like crying, go ahead and do so." I looked up at Yuki who was staring at us for quite some time. "Does she run away often?"
"Yes. This isn’t the first time." He answered. I smiled softly upon hearing that. The two of us are really alike. "Kisa..." She looked up at me as my own eyes were clouded with tears.
"Don’t run away anymore… If you do, I feel like I’ve failed. You can cry as much as you want if I’m around. I’ll catch your tears. That’s what I’m here for. So don’t run away."
Those were the words that Hideki said to me the day that I got home. He was mad at me for running off like that. But his words made me realize that there was no reason for me to run away. He dedicated his life to care for me. All I ever did was cry.
"Haru-chan… Are you okay?" Tohru spoke up, breaking me out of my trance. I looked up at her and wiped away my tears as I nodded silently. "I’m fine Tohru. No need to worry." I reassured her with a smile.
I stared down at Kisa. She seemed to understand my words well. "I have to go now. But I’ll visit you whenever I can, okay?"
Kisa felt a little at ease and smiled brightly. I hugged her one more time, caressing her hair gently. I broke free from the embrace and got on my feet. I have to get home and apologize to my brother for my behavior.
"Will you be alright by yourself? Maybe I should walk with you." Yuki insisted, but I declined. "It’s okay Yuki. I know the way back. You don’t need to come along with me." I retorted brightly. "Well... In that case, I hope to see you tomorrow at school. Thanks again for taking care of Kisa." Yuki bowed slightly.
"Yeah.. See you guys tomorrow. And thank you for the hospitality." I bowed as well. After I dragged Etoile away from Shigure and bid everyone farewell, I was out the door.
Hideki’s POV:
I found myself staring at the door in frustration. I blew off my date with Hitomi just to wait for Haruhi’s return. I admit, I was worried. What if she ran off again? "Stupid kid. She hasn’t changed a bit." I grumbled as I ran my fingers through my hair.
Just then, I heard the faint sound of Etoile barking and the creaking of the door. I got up from my chair and frowned deeply. I’m not letting her off the hook that easily this time.
"About time you got home. Where were you?! I was looking everywhere for you! Do you know how much I worried! You just do whatever you feel like, not even thinking about the consequences!"
Haruhi walked into the room and shut the door behind her. She didn’t look me in the eye. In her hand, she held a plastic bag, which contained the groceries that I told her to buy. Etoile looked up at me, as if she was telling me not to be so hard on Haruhi. But I can’t do that. Not now.
"Well? What do you have to say for yourself? Are you proud? Are you satisfied?" I frowned at her. She still didn’t look me in the eye. "Oi! I’m talking to you here! Why mu-" I kept quiet as she faced me with tears in her eyes. "Why are you crying…" I muttered out.
I can’t stand to see her cry.
Before I knew it, she dropped the groceries, she ran up to me and crashed into my arms, making me fall back into my chair. "What the?" I questioned myself in confusion. Her face was buried in my jacket as her arms found their way around my waist.
"I’m sorry… I’m sorry… I’m such an idiot. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I’m really, really sorry for saying those things about you!" Was her muffled response. My facial expression softened up after that.
Was she still thinking about the little quarrel we had this morning? Her soft sobbing interrupted my thoughts, making it clear to me.
"You idiot… Why do you always cling onto me like this?"
"I don’t cling onto you. I’m just… Apologizing." She retorted, making me sigh. "Well… If it’s just that, then I forgive you. Stop crying over something that small. Your words weren’t that harsh. It’s not like I was replaying the moment over and over again in my mind. I have better things to do." I lied.
"Just forget about it. You apologized, so I forgive you." She looked up at me with her eyes all red from crying. "Stop crying already. You're home now, and that’s all that matters." I spoke up with a sigh to follow. Haruhi busted out in tears again, making me pat her head softly with a roll of my eyes.
"You’re the greatest big brother ever!" Haruhi sobbed loudly before she held me in jet another embrace. Looks like she got the best of me… again.
