To Reviewers:
Akito Souma: I've got most of the storyline figured out, and thanks for reviewing!
Cajun-beauty: Well… I really need Ayame to sacrifice; this plays a significant part in the plot thingy, so… SORRY! Anyway, thanks for reviewing! You guys keep me going!
The Fox: Wow! Your review is such a long paragraph that I was like 'OMG someone thinks I'm worthy of their time' you really mean a lot, for reviewing both chapters. THANK YOU!
Shojo Mizu: 'Amazing'? Thanks, but actually this is my first FB fic, so I haven't really gotten the hang of it… Thank you for reviewing!
Pixie: Thank you for writing such a long review! It really feels awesome when you find someone willing to write long stuff for you. This is continuing where the anime ended, 'cause it fits the plot this way. Thanks for reviewing!
Kokoro621: Sorry for taking such a long time to update; this is a year I really want good results, be a good student and not break any rules. It's kinda hard, but thanks for patiently waiting for the update!
Adi88: Nono you don't sound 'bichy'; not at all! You know? You're in my Author Fav. I really love the way you write! I can't really capture the characters' personality, unlike you. You said it may be 'cool', and… I really hope this is worth the wait! I just… Have the need to ask somethin'. What's an 'opera-setup'? Sorry if I sound stupid; I know it meant to be on the negative side, but I really need to know its meaning to improve. Thanks for reviewing!
Red Butterfly16: Yup, it maybe a little strange… I'm not really experienced in writing FB fics; bear with me… 'In a way good?' Thank you!
loVeFoReTeRnItY: Well… I certainly haven't update soon, but life's busy, thanks for waiting! You people are the best! Thanks for reviewing!
Not Important: Thank you for reviewing! Even if it's a cliffie, it was meant to have everyone know what's happening. Really love you people! And well, maybe it's not for me to say, but no one is 'not important'; and you know you're important to at least one person. If you say you're not, then I really have to tell you, there must be at least someone who cares, Cheer up:)
Pocky-Pocky-chan: Both Kyo and Ayame will have an effect on Yuki, and the plot really needs that effect. I think it will turn out, but not in one chapter. Hope you'll get it after a couple of updates! (I think it'll be like X'mas…) Sorry for updating so slowly! Thanks for reviewing!
Destiny Declined (Chapter 3: Building Up)
"So I can go back now," Yuki said.
Hatori nodded. "Get Tohru-kun to help you with the stairs. Spring Break is not over yet, but I advise you not to stress out on schoolwork. Rest, and I suggest you to stop fighting with Kyo for these few weeks –"
"Yea, like he'll fight me, now that everyone knows." The nezumi said monotonously, he voice laced with a slight trace of… What, Hatori could not make out.
"Haru and Momiji really want to see you, but they're willing to wait till you are ready."
"I don't want to see anyone." Yuki's hands clutched the edge of his chair slightly.
Hatori glanced at him. "Very well."
The nezumi fleeted a look at the windows. He could go back to Shigure's any moment.
He hadn't come. They hadn't come.
He said he'd change, but this just proved that I'm right. You really are stupid, Nii-san…
Yuki slowly rose to his feet, unbuttoning his pajamas and laying them on his bed.
Not bothering to cast his room one last glance, he grabbed his bag and walked out of the hospital room, his hand playing with the familiar collar of his Chinese outfit.
Hatori was waiting for him outside, and the mouse's nonchalant attitude warmed up minutely at Tohru's nervous greeting.
"S-Sohma-kun, I've cooked your favorite dishes for lunch, a-and maybe we can weed the garden; I've tried to take care of it, but of course it need you there. But if Sohma-kun needs to rest, o-or if Sohma-kun wants the afternoon to himself, please really tell me, because…"
The engine of the car roared to life, and they sped off.
The rat leaned his head on the window pane, his eyes drooping as trees flew by.
Are you really that busy, nii-san? Or do you not want to see me? Do you feel bad for having a sibling… A sibling who is… Who is…?
"…No. It's your fault…"
"S-Sohma-kun!"
Yuki started, not realizing what he had said aloud.
Is it just me, or is Honda-san acting differently? Is she holding back? She seems like it. Is she keeping away? Is she disgusted by me…?
The car skidded to a stop.
"Honda-san!" The brown haired girl jumped at the unusually rough tone. "Eh!"
Suddenly she found herself shoved up the house's walls by Yuki, who was mustering up every ounce of strength in his healing body to crash her against the cement.
"Soh-Sohma-kun –what are you –"
"Stop it!"
Tohru winced. "S-Stop it? What do you –"
"Stop it! Stop shrinking away from me! Why are all of you –"
"Sohma-kun! What are you talking about?"
A breeze roused and sent shivers down both of their spines. Yuki looked up, straight into the eyes of the girl, his grip on the girl's shoulders unconsciously tightening.
"S-stop it. It's not my fault. It's not my fault. It's not my –"
He stopped dead in his track. Looking behind Tohru's fluttering hair, he finally noticed the other boy who had came out of the house. He also sensed Shigure's and Hatori's eyes boring into his back.
Crimson eyes were widened as they stared in horror at the scene before him, the tan hands gripping his cargo pants. The rat couldn't bear to turn and look at the two adults. Humiliation rose in his chest. He turned back to the girl in front of him, and guiltily released her.
"…I…" He ran into the house, up the stairs and quickly slid his door shut, wasting no time in locking it.
Flopping onto his bed, he buried his face into his hands and wept soundlessly.
-----
…Yuki-kun…
I really am sorry for not caring about you years ago.
I'm changing! I'm willing to do anything for you. And, if only you will forgive me, if only this will erase the guilt in my heart…
Yuki-kun, live bravely. You've always been strong; Nii-san believes in you; Nii-san takes pride in you.
Don't ever succumb to hopelessness, or worse, hatred.
Live on with your head held high, Yuki-kun.
-----
Kyo sat on the rooftop, his hands crowning his legs and his knees touching his chin.
Gentle breeze of Spring caressed his cheeks, his bangs flowing in front of his eyes.
Whoa Nezumi, you've finally screwed up.
That didn't feel like the best thing to say.
Jamming a fist at the roof, he growled. So beneath the perfection I so admire, it's just a mess. How could I've been fooled by this? Yea, like the mouse is oh-so-strong and can take every blow sent his way.
Kyo scowled; his thoughts had grown to circle around the mouse, be it admiration or criticism. Yuki, the strong boy; Yuki, the vulnerable child. Yuki the perfectionist; Yuki being a mess. Yuki, being everything and nothing at the same time.
What had possessed him to get 'concerned' about the mouse, he had no idea.
Maybe it's the sense of forbiddance that was luring him. He's so perfect. But maybe underneath, he's not. He's hurt Tohru, for his own damn business that he cannot handle.
Frustrated, he jumped down the roof and raced into the woods.
"It's not my fault! It's not my fault! It's not…"
Those very words. He had said those words, years ago. Simple words that had held so much sorrow, guilt… And hatred and desperation.
No! I just took pity on what's happened to you; I still hate you!
If only Yuki could stop mumbling those words.
-----
Yuki sat on his bed, soft cushions tenderly soothing his skin.
Shuffling in the blankets, he cringed. He had made a very poor decision when he had rushed up the stairs. His feet and waist muscles were lit with throbbing pain, and his mind was strangely detached.
Still, bending down under his bed, he reached until his fingertips brushed against cloth.
With persistent prodding and clawing the object came into the dim light. Retrieving the pencil-sized item, he slowly unwrapped the white cloth.
Finally, he tossed away the cloth, eyeing the blade in his hand that was catching the dimmest light.
A momentary feeling of rage and victory soared, and the waves came and gone.
No, the blade was not for him. His fingers ran down his perfectly unscarred wrist, a feeling of purity crossing his heart.
I'd never slit my wrists. I'll stay clean.
But he was not clean anymore. His innocence, his virginity was snatched away, even before he had understood the underlying meaning of his master's ruthless acts. Anger flamed up again as he clutched the blade to his chest.
No. It will not happen again. I'll make sure of it.
It's not my fault… And he has to pay.
No, the blade was not for him.
It was for the god.
-----End of Chapter 3-----
AN: Wow! Last time a lot of people reviewed; thank you! If it weren't for you people, I wouldn't have made the time to write on. Sorry, I have, yet again, took a looooong time to undate. I really hope this is not so bad; I really hope it's worth the wait.
I uploaded this last night, but then today I found a major error I've made in the timeline. Therefore I made a little correction; hope it's not too confusing! Thank you!
And… I really have worked hard on this one, so…
If you enjoyed it, please review and tell me what you think? A review means a lot.
-Solitude Sky