The Curse of a Bear (Kyo Sohma FanFic)

Chapter 7

Once you finally pull yourself together, you back away from him.

"I'm sorry. This is actually the first time I've cried since they died."

"It's ok, everybody has to break down at some point," he says gently, pulling me back to him, again careful not to hug you. You lay your head on his chest after deciding to accept his warm gesture.

"Why can't everyone be this accepting?" you ask in a soft whisper.

"It's because they don't understand," he whispers back.

"And you do?" you ask full volume as you look up at him.

"Yes, in a way, I do," he starts, looking down and meeting your gaze, "I was always blamed for my mother's death, told it was all my fault, and treated like an outcast for it, so in turn, I ended up blaming myself and taking the guilt that came with it. This actually still goes on today, but it's just not as harsh."

"Well at least you had Kazuma to help you through it. I had no one."

"Yes, I had Kazuma, but he still didn't understand, not like you do. That's why I'm so happy that I met you because I finally found someone that completely understands what it feels like. I know that you're happy about meeting me too."

You smile. "How do you know that?"

He smiles back. "You let your guard down and told me things that no one else knows about you. Plus, you're smiling."

You laugh a little for the first time in years. "Yeah I guess I am, but I'm glad that I got to get those things off my chest, and I'm glad that it was you I told."

"I'm glad you told me too. Now, I have one more question. How, in the world, do you know Shigure?"

You giggle a little and reply, "That's actually a really funny story. It was when I was still in that house, and one night, at around 1 A.M., I hear a knock at the door. I open it and on the other side is a mindlessly drunk Shigure. He ends up pushing past me into the house and plops down on my couch. At this point I'm just like 'What the heck?' and follow him into the living room to find out why in the world he's here. As soon as I enter the room, he starts rambling on about an evil Akito, some Zodiac curse, and Akito's endless search for a missing member. At that point, I'm rolling on the floor laughing because, I mean, come on, a curse with Zodiac animals is just ridiculous, and I know, I'm cursed, but that's been passed on from mother to daughter for generations in my family. I highly doubt that anyone else could have one."

"The curse is real," Kyo states suddenly.

"What?"

"It's real. Trust me, I would know."

"Why? Are you part of it?" you ask jokingly.

"Yes, actually, I am. I'm the cat."

"Wait, so that's why you have the beads?!"

"You know what they do?!" he asks worriedly and surprised. You back away from him and scratch the back of your head.

"Yes. It's kind of like what mine are for. They both hold back a side of us that's best hidden from the world. And if what Shigure told me is true, then why didn't you change when you picked me up? Better yet, why did you decide to pick me up if you thought you would change?"

"When I picked you up I wasn't thinking, just acting, and I've been asking myself the same question about not changing. Sadly, if anyone knows why, it would be Akito."

"He's real too? So everything Shigure told me is true?"

"I guess so, but every member of the zodiac has been found. There was a rumor, though, that the zodiac story we were told as kids was altered, so maybe there is another member."

"Who else is part of your curse?"

"Well, Shigure is the dog and Yuki is the rat." I look over at the clock.

"It'll be getting dark soon. You better head back before the others start to worry," you suggest.

"Ok," Kyo states as he stands up, "Will you be returning to school?"

"No, it's too dangerous."

"Well, I better head off, but I'll visit often, and don't worry I won't tell the others about what you told me. I'll let them know you're ok though." He turns away from me and leaves. You stare at the door for a minute longer before sighing and getting up.

"I don't have time for any type of relationship. I need to be focusing on the inevitable fight between me, the organization, and the law." You think as you enter the office you built. You sit in the comfy office chair at the desk and look down at the cluttered mess of research papers and blueprints. You sigh. "Tonight is going to be one long night."

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