✓ | WITHERED BONDS, shigure sohma [Fruits Basket]

Chapter Forty Seven

"Hey, hey, want me to come out?" A young excited voice filled Kira's ear. She opened her eyes to see herself in complete darkness," Hey, hey, I said do you want me to take over?"

Kira blinked at herself, or more like her young self," What is..."

The young Kira knelt down and looked up at her," I can take over for now and then you can use the chance to rest"

"What are you talking about?" She asked her younger self.

"You've been restless, for the past few days. I don't know the reason and I am not sure if you know either, but maybe I can switch places with you. Tori, always said it was good to rest, so I think you should let me play for a while"

"Even if you say that, I don't understand what you mean" Kira tilted her head puzzled. Her younger self sighed and puffed her cheeks.

"I'll take over our conscious, while you sleep"

"I...don't know if that's-"

"Aren't you tired? Trying so hard? Trying to hide the pain? Trying to be strong when you aren't?" Kira's head lowered as each question made it through her ears.

It was true, she was tired-she was so darn tired.

She just wanted to sleep and not think for once.

"Yes, I am tired"

Her younger self smiled softly before patting her cheek," It's okay, rest for now and when you are ready, I'll come back, okay?"

"How will I even know? When I am ready?" Kira asked her younger self

"You will know, so just close your eyes and clear your mind"

Akito who was sitting on a boulder, ran her hand through Kira's hair, who was playing in the grass just below her," Kira, are you excited to meet the others?"

Kira looked up nodding," Yeah, do you think they'll like me?"

Akito chuckled leaning on her palm," Of course they do, silly. You are their god as well; they love you more than anything" Kira giggled before turning back down to the grass and she soon started humming while Akito just continued to watch over her.

"Akito," Kureno walked over to the twins," Yuki is here" once he said that Akito turned and smiled.

"Hi...Yuki, as always, you're, alone, aren't you? You've always been such a lonely child..." Akito chuckled and looked down to Kira holding out her hand," Come, Kira"

Kira grabbed her hand and Akito guided her over to Yuki," This is Yuki, our beloved rat" Yuki looked confused at the way Akito had spoken to Kira.

She stared at him before beaming at him," Hi Yuki! I am Kira, it is nice meeting you!"

"What-"

Before Yuki could ask, Akito waved to Kureno, who walked over whispering to Kira. He watched her nod and turn to Yuki," I'll talk to you later! It's snack time, bye-bye, Yuki!" She waved before following after Kureno.

"Bye, bye Yuki, see you later" Akito smirked while waving her fingers before following after them.

"What on earth...happened to you, Kira?" Yuki said appalled as he watched the three walk away.

After a while they arrived at the house, they were staying in. Kira had clung onto Hatori who had been assigned on watching over her the entire time. He was the one who actually offered to do it because he knew it was easier to keep track of her behaviour and see if there are any changes.

"Don't bite on it, Kira" Hatori scolded Kira who was biting on the tongue depressor he on her tongue," It's dangerous and bad for your teeth" She released it with a pout and didn't pester him any longer as he finished the checkup.

"Torii, I don't feel sick. Why do you need to check up on me?" Kira whined impatiently as he placed the stethoscope on her chest.

"I just want to make sure," Hatori brushed her off and she gave up trying to ask him since her mind was too focused on his hair that was covering his eye. He flinched when she moved his hair, but he didn't pull away.

"Tori, why does your eye look like that? Did you get hurt?"

Hatori removed the stethoscope from his ear and placed a hand on her head," Don't worry, I am fine, it doesn't hurt"

Kira took that as the answer and soon enough she was clinging onto him again. He practically had to drag her around, since it was not safe to make her roam around unattended.

After a while, Kira had fallen asleep and Hatori got up to let the others know about Akito's orders to gather.