"I'm home." [Y/n] announced while kicking off her shoes.

"Oh, welcome home, [Y/n]." Tohru greeted with a smile.

"Hi, [Y/n]." Kagura greeted, and [Y/n] smiled at her. Yuki smiled at [Y/n] as well, "Welcome back. Are you feeling alright?" [Y/n] blushed a bit as his concern. "That's the eighth time you've asked me that. I. am. fine." She said and noticed the brown-haired male that was looking at her in shock. He looked noble, wise, and somewhat familiar-looking. Like a teacher of some sort. "Who's the dude?"

His expression saddened a bit, remembering what happened to the poor girl. "Sorry. This is Kazuma Sohma. The family's martial arts instructor. He's taught Yuki, Kagura here, Haru and others. He's Kyo's master." Shigure said, and [Y/n]'s eyes sparkled.

"A martial arts master? So cool!" She exclaimed, "Maybe he can teach me a few things.

"If you don't mind, may I please call you '[Y/n]'?" He asked, and [Y/n] got a bit flustered. "O-Of course." She said and sat down. "I've heard a lot about the two of you. I believe you both know of the zodiac?" Kazuma questioned.

"Uh, yes." Tohru said.

"Ah, but how much?" Kazuma asked, and [Y/n] tilted her head in confusion. Tohru looked just as confused.

"Hey, Kyo. Maybe you should stop sulking in the corner and greet your master. You haven't seen him since you trained in the mountains, right? Aren't you happy to be reunited?" Shigure asked, and Kyo stood up.

"I, uh--" Kyo look at Yuki for a moment then looked away. The cat stomped away. "Is something wrong?" Tohru asked. "Could you tell me which room belongs to Kyo?" Kazuma asked

"Oh, sure. You just go up the stairs and take a right. I'd be happy to show you." Tohru said. "No. I can manage on my own, thank you." Kazuma said and walked towards the stairs. As soon as he was out of sight, Kagura and Shigure began to chuckle. "That's classic Kyo." Shigure said.

"Totally." Kagura said.

"I think I missed something. What do you mean?" Tohru asked.

"It's cute. Kyo's actually really happy to see his master again, but he would probably rather die than let us see it. Especially with Yun-chan hanging around." Kagura said with a giggle.

[Y/n] hummed. 'Same as Yuki.'

Later, Kagura helped [Y/n] and Tohru make dinner. "So, I guess Kyo's master isn't one of the Sohmas with a zodiac spirit?" Tohru asked.

"No." Kagura said, "He's still a member of the main family, though. They say Sensei's grandfather was actually the one possessed by the Cat spirit before Kyo. I guess, if anyone can understand some of what Kyo's going through, then he'd be the one. But I thought their connection was based on more than just that. Sensei really seems to love Kyo. Like a true father would love his son."

"Wow, they must be so close." Tohru muttered while [Y/n] continued to peel onions. "Sensei!" [Y/n]'s eyes widened as a sharp pain went through her head. She winced in pain. "[Y/n], are you okay?" Her sister asked.

[Y/n] rubbed her head. "I think so. I keep remembering this...random name...."

"Who?"

[Y/n] hummed. "Yuu...-chan, I think." She said. Kagura's eyes seemed to widen a bit, but she quickly went back to cutting carrots. "No, that doesn't sound familiar." Tohru said, and [Y/n] sighed. "Forget it. Every time I try to remember I get this splitting headache.

~~

After dinner, [Y/n] went to her and Tohru's room to gather her things to bathe while Tohru and Kagura cleaned up downstairs. [Y/n] groaned at her splitting headache. "Watch me, Sensei!" [Y/n] could suddenly remember a man with the kindest smile she's ever seen. "That was a good start, my young student." The warmth of his head on her head was something almost foreign to her. Sure, Kyoko pet [Y/n] on the head all the time, but there was something slightly different with this man. She could possibly see this man as a father figure.

"Ugh!" There was the pain. [Y/n] sighed giving up on trying to think about the mystery man in her head. [Y/n] opened her room door to see Kagura walking away. "And about [Y/n]...? Still with no memory of...me?" [Y/n] stopped hearing Kazuma's voice.

"It seems she's completely forgotten about all of us. Though we didn't know much of her compared to you. You did fight the hardest against Akito." It was Shigure. "She's left with no memory of you, Kyo, Haru, or even Yuki."

"Why let her know now? Erasing her memories seemed rather pointless now."

"I only know as much as you do. Maybe circumstances have changed."

"...Was it wrong of me to think of her as my own?"

"No, not at all."

A cold chill washed over [Y/n] when she heard that. Sorrow, hurt, and angry filled her heart at the random images she was now beginning to see in her brain. Like the hidden vault in the back of her mind was finally unlocked, and it filled [Y/n] with so much pain that it felt as if she was going to cry.

╚═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╝

The sky was filled with dark clouds and the smell of rain filled the air. There was something about to happen, and [Y/n] could feel it in her bones. But her mind was too distracted by the conversation she overheard. The thought of knowing Kazuma still didn't make sense in her mind, but she knew the pieces were slowly coming together and the wheels in her head began to turn. She couldn't remember everything clearly. All she could feel was the pain she felt back then. It was like she knew everything and nothing at the same time, and [Y/n] wanted to rip her hair out.

[Y/n] walked to the balcony with an umbrella, wanting to feel the cool breeze of the windy air. She liked the rain and dark sky. It calmed her, almost put her to sleep.

However, there was nothing calming about what she was about to witness. [Y/n] looked to the side of the house. "Let's see if your life truly is already over." Kazuma said while holding Kyo's wrist. Everything seemed to have happened in slow motion. Kazuma took Kyo's bracelet off.

"DON'T LOOK!!!" Kyo yelled as he transformed. [Y/n]'s widened in horror. The smell made her sick and the sight petrified her. [Y/n]'s expression horrified even more when she realized Tohru was standing right in front of him.

That was the true form of the Cat spirit.

Kyo ran away. "Now you've seen what Kyo's kept hidden. The true form of the Cat spirit that possesses him. Tell me, does it disgusts you?" Kazuma said, mostly to Tohru in front of him, but he knows [Y/n] was right above him.

'Of course not...' [Y/n] thought.

"Frighten you?"

'Of course...'

"Repulse you?"

'No... Because...He's afraid too...'

"No! That's cheating!"

"How?! I knocked you down fair-and-square, Stupid Kyon!" The image of the young orange-haired boy with a cheeky grin suddenly came to mind.

Tears filled [Y/n]'s eyes when she began to remember the boy. 'I remember now...he was my best friend at Kazuma's dojo.' Tohru ran after Kyo. "Tohru..no." [Y/n] said a little above a whisper as she watched her sister get further and further away. It was like seeing Kyoko leave once again and never come back.

"TOHRU!!!" [Y/n] yelled. She dropped her umbrella and ran back inside. She stumbled down the hall, nearly falling down the stairs, to the door. When [Y/n] ran outside, Kazuma stopped her from going any further. "NO! Tohru!" [Y/n] continued to desperately call for her sister with hot tears in her eyes. "I swear I will never forgive you, Tohru!"

"She has to do this alone, [Y/n]." Kazuma said, holding [Y/n] back.

"No! I have to protect her!" [Y/n] yelled clutching onto Kazuma's top with trembling hands. 'No, you don't.' [Y/n]'s inner thoughts contradicted the words that were coming out of her mouth.

"You don't understand! Tohru is everything to me. She's...like the sun, and I'm the moon. Her light is all I have! She's all I have!" [Y/n] sobbed, gripping Kazuma's robe tighter, falling to her knees.

'You have others to lean on. Kyo needs her.'

"Tohru is the only part...of Kyoko...I have left." [Y/n] said as she slowly let go of the brown-haired man, "I need Tohru most of all! I need her more than anyone!" She covered her face and cried like a baby missing her mother. It hurt, but it was pathetic in [Y/n]'s mind.

'Kyo needs Tohru...You've...'

Kazuma joined [Y/n] on the wet grass and placed his hand on the girl's head. "You've always been fine without her, and you will be fine in the future." [Y/n]'s sobs stopped, and her eyes widened. His warmth, his words, his kind smile. It was all too familiar.

More tears filled the young girl's eyes, and she smacked his hand away. "How do you know?!" [Y/n] knew she was being selfish, still holding on to the little things that Kyoko left behind, still holding on to the pain of her mother's death, still holding onto the pain of being rejected by her birth mother, and worst of all...the pain of being useless. [Y/n] hated her selfishness.

"I know more than you think." Kazuma said, "I understand your pain."

"I... I don't want to feel pain anymore, Sensei..." [Y/n] muttered, "Kyon...I remember Kyon being my first best friend."

Kazuma's eyes widened. "It hurts that I couldn't be the one that reassure him and save him. Not only with him. Others, too." [Y/n] continued, placing her head against his chest. 'Has Tohru grown without me even noticing?' She thought, 'No... She's always been this way. Caring for others before herself, being inclusive, and being like a mother.'

"Why were my memories taken from me?" [Y/n] muttered, remembering how Momoji would watch his mother from afar, and how sad he felt not being able to interact with her. 'Was that how Yuki felt? Were he and Kyo watching me from afar?' The thought broke her heart. Kazuma didn't say anything. His eyes softened, and he patted her. After waiting what felt like an eternity, [Y/n] and Kazuma could see Tohru walking back with Kyo in his cat form.

[Y/n] smiled, still crying a little, but she was more happy than sad. "Let's treat your wounds." That was all [Y/n] managed to say.

╚═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╝

Kazuma soon had to leave, but before he left, he made sure to give [Y/n] a goodbye. She was slowly getting her memories back. The man invited her to train at his dojo like old times whenever she got the chance. [Y/n], of course, accepted the offer without a second thought.

[Y/n] was left with figuring out how to deal with her memories that were coming back. Was she supposed to have them?

Would Akito have Hatori erase them again?

What would be the point if Akito did?

Why did no one say anything?

There was a knock on [Y/n] room door as she dusted off the uniform that she was wearing. She opened the door to see Yuki with a soft smile on his face. But there seemed something artificial about his smile, and he had a distant look as if he was looking through her rather than at her. "Ready?" He asked, and [Y/n] nodded as she grabbed her bag. They made their way downstairs.

"Morning." Yuki greeted while [Y/n] only yawned. "[Y/n], Yuki! Good morning." Tohru greeted with her usual radiant smile.

"What she said." Shigure said.

"There's some breakfast if you're hungry." Tohru said.

"Thanks, looks great." Yuki said, and [Y/n] nodded in agreement. "Sorry for not helping this morning." [Y/n] said as she sat down and picked up her chopsticks.

"It's alright." Tohru said. Yuki and Kyo both went to grab an omelet, making their chopsticks touch each other. The two glared at each other. Yuki threw his chopsticks in the sink. "Seriously?!" Kyo yelled.

"You have Cat germs." Yuki said and grabbed some wooden chopsticks.

"Uh! Whatever, you smug rodent. I'm not gonna let you get to me anymore." Kyo said and clutched his fist, "I'm changing, starting today!"

Tohru looked so proud of him while [Y/n] chuckled a bit. Yuki sat down. "Well, this ought to be interesting. Let's see you try." Yuki said, and the room went silent.

"You girly-boy!" Kyo yelled.

"That didn't take long." Yuki and Shigure said.

"You freaking piss me off! Changed man or not, I'll hate you until the day I die!" Kyo yelled while Tohru tried to calm him down, "Go to hell!" Kyo punched the door then left.

"And he's out." Shigure said, "So much for him being a changed man, I guess." [Y/n] giggled.

"Well, I don't know. At least it didn't end in a fistfight or something." Tohru said.

"Til the day you die?" Yuki muttered, "I'll keep on hating you from the grave, Stupid Cat."

[Y/n] noticed how on edge Yuki seemed. She didn't bother to mention it. If he wanted to tell her, Yuki would someday. Soon, the teens made it to school. [Y/n] hadn't seen much of Koji outside of the club activities and tutoring her how to play guitar. When she did see him, it was a quick 'hi' with a somewhat sad look.

[Y/n] was worried more about Yuki than anyone. Was he upset when seeing what happened? "[Y/n]." Someone called for her, "Yo." It was Hatsuharu.

"Oh, hey, Haru." [Y/n] greeted.

"Is he here? Yuki?" He asked.

[Y/n] scratched her head. "I'm not sure where he is. I've been looking for him for a while now. Is there something wrong?"

"Yeah, maybe." Haru said, "When I saw him earlier, he seemed off."

"I noticed too." [Y/n] said while looking down at her feet. Haru patted [Y/n] on the head, then nodded at her. He walked away to find Yuki.

Soon, Haru fought Yuki on the roof. "Something happen?" He asked the sulking boy, "'Cause from the look of things, you're not doin' so good."

"Don't say that when I'm fighting to move forward. You're not really helping." Yuki said.

"Fighting to move forward, huh?" Haru questioned.

"How's Kagura doing?" Yuki changed the subject.

"Dunno. Don't see her much." Haru said, "I figure she's probably fine. Why're asking about her?"

"Something happened, but it's not for me to share." Yuki said. 'I need to keep a lid on things. A tight one. On his true form and everything else, too. I have to keep it in. All of it. Otherwise...those ugly feelings will spill out. Hatred. Revulsion. They'll well up inside me...until I feel like I'm drowning. And that can't happen again.'

"You know, [Y/n] is really worried about you." Haru said, and Yuki looked at him in shock, "You didn't notice, did you?"

"No." Yuki admitted.

"You don't wanna talk about your feelings, I get it. But the longer you keep quiet, the more she's gonna worry." Haru said.

"You're the one to talk. I worry about how much you worry about other people."

Haru smiled a bit. "Fair enough. That's who I am. I'd rather people have fun than spend all their time suffering."

Yuki smiled as well. "Fair enough."

[Y/n] still spent her time looking for Yuki. She was worried about him. She wanted to at least make sure he was okay. "Miss [Y/n]." [Y/n] heard as she walked up the stairs to the roof. She turned to see Yuki, and she smiled. "There you are. Some of the student council members are looking for you. I also hear there's a new member that you just might be surprised-"

"Miss [Y/n]." Yuki interrupted and took a step forward up the stairs, "I can...tie my tie faster than I used to, and it looks better." He stepped closer, "And fewer of my vegetables have been dying lately. And, um, I talk to more people now. Some, at least. These are small things, I know they are, but I'm trying. I'm working hard to get better at the stuff I'm not good at. Basically, I wanna change myself, little by little, like you are, but..."

'Someday I want to be about to open the box I've stuffed all my feelings into and truly experience them, without being swallowed whole. I want to keep the promise I made that day.'

Yuki got closer and closer making [Y/n] heart pound faster and faster. "But...I've got a long way to go." He said, "You've been worried, and I didn't notice. I'm sorry."

[Y/n] blushed. "N-No, it's no big deal, really. I always worry." She rambled.

"I know I'm still as lame as I've always been. And there are still a lot of things that I can't tell you. Not yet. Just know I'm changing little by little, so that someday...I'll have to courage to tell you everything." Yuki said.

[Y/n]'s eyes soften, "Okay." She said softly, "I'll always be a shoulder you can lean on, though." Yuki looked at the girl in disbelief for a moment but seeing her smiling face gave him the reassurance he needed. Yuki smiled a bit, "Summer's coming up." Yuki said and walked closer to [Y/n], "I think I'll spend more time outside this year."

[Y/n]'s eyes sparkled at the excitement of summer. "I love summer. Fireworks, festivals, the beach. I'm getting pumped just thinking about it." She rambled.

Yuki smiled a bit more looking at the girl he loved. "Seems like a good season to make memories. Memories with you." He said which surprised [Y/n]. "You don't want to?"

[Y/n]'s blushed darkened. "No! I-I mean, sure, I guess. If you really want to." Yuki backed [Y/n] into a corner and caged her in with his arms. "You know, I'll kidnap you if I must."

[Y/n]'s face turned beet red. Yuki chuckled. "Your face!" He said, and [Y/n] felt her knee buckle, causing her to hit her head on the railing of the stairs. "Miss [Y/n]! A-Are you okay?" He asked.

"O-Of course. Just a little bump. It won't kill me." [Y/n] said. Yuki began to laugh, making [Y/n] blush more as she playfully hit him in the arm. "Sorry. I shouldn't laugh." Yuki said, but [Y/n] smiled, nonetheless, "Well? Home?"

Yuki led the way. 'You're not lame, Yuki...You, Kyo, Tohru...I've watched you all grow in different ways.'

"Yuki..." [Y/n] called, making him stop and look at her. She walked closer to him, placed her warm hands on both of his cheeks. 'But...I'll wait for the day when you're ready to open that box that you're hiding deep inside. When I can hold your crying face in my hands, and tell you it's okay to have the feelings you have, Yuu-chan.'

[Y/n] gave a warm smile. "You're pretty cute, you know that." She said, sweetly, making Yuki blush a deep red. [Y/n] laughed. "Payback. You should see your face." She continued to giggle as she walked ahead of him.

"So, uh, what is Haru walking home with us?" Kyo asked as the four teenagers walked home from school. "'Cause I got a dinner invitation." Haru said.

"What do you guys want for dinner?" [Y/n] asked. "Just tell us what you like. We'll whip it right up for you." Tohru said.

"How'd we end up with you as a dinner guest?" Kyo asked.

"No one else knows. Just us two." Haru said while wrapping his arm around Yuki's shoulder. "Whatever."

"Guess who!" Kagura kicked Kyo in the face, sending him flying. "I'm so happy. You didn't run away like you usually do."

"You didn't really give him a chance." Yuki, Haru, and [Y/n] said.

"Okay, then, off we go." Kagura said while grabbed Kyo's leg. "Where are you dragging him to?" Yuki asked.

"Huh? Shii-chan's house! He called earlier and invited me over for dinner."

"You too?! This isn't a freaking restaurant!"

[Y/n] continued to walk. "Are you okay, Miss [Y/n]?" Yuki asked, and [Y/n] glared. "I'm freaking starving." She complained, "I skipped lunch looking for you."

Tohru smiled, nervously. [Y/n] gets grumpy when she's hungry. "No one told you to skip lunch for me. You should have eaten." Yuki scolded while walking closer to her. "Don't scold me for being worried, jerk. I'll kill you." [Y/n] growled as they led the way home together.

"I'd need to be able to catch me first. You're far too slow." Yuki said with a smirk, referring to their sparring matches. [Y/n] blushed and glared harder. "Big talk for a boy who likes being called, 'cute'."

Yuki blushed, "I do not like being called cute!"

"Wow, their honeymoon phase is already over. They haven't started datin' yet." Haru said.

"We are not in a 'honeymoon phase'!"

"What do you mean by 'yet'!" The two said in unison.

When we arrived at the house, they were met with Ayame. "I shall tell you the truth. When I received this abundance of crab, I knew in my heart that I had to give some to Yuki, and I hurried here to bestow it upon him. Not many would make such a sacrifice for their brother. But I shall, for my love as no boundaries."

All the color seemed to have drained from Yuki as he looked away from his brother, "Whatever's the matter, Yuki? Your eyes look so distant." Ayame said, "Wait, I understand! It's not distant at all. You are simply overcome with emotion in the face..."

Haru placed his hand on Yuki's shoulder. "You can do it, Yuki. Stay strong." Haru said, and [Y/n] nodded while trying not to drool over the crab displayed in front of her.

"Guten abend!"

They looked outside to see Momiji, Kisa, and Hatori. [Y/n] smiled. "Shigure invited us over." Hatori said. "Hiro-chan, too. He'll be by later." Kisa said.

"It's like a party! Uh. Where is Shigure, though?" Tohru asked.

"He had urgent business at the Sohma Estate. We passed him on our way." Hatori said, and [Y/n] hummed.

"I can't wait until summer break is here. Then I can stay over every night!" Momiji said.

"Not happening! No way!" Kyo yelled.

[Y/n] smiled. "Summer will be here soon. A lot of fun things are gonna happen. I'm looking forward to it." She said and her stomach growled interrupting the precious moment, "God, I need food in me now."

"Come. Feast on these delectable crab legs, my dear sister-in-law!" Ayame said, and [Y/n] and Yuki turned bright red.

"What?!" They yelled.

"Well, anyone can tell. The way you both gazed upon each other with eyes filled with love and affection-"

"Shut up, shut up, shut up! I'll eat if you'll stop talking!" [Y/n] yelled and sat down with him. But...she couldn't help but feel the heavy weight in her chest. There was something coming. Something big. It... almost made [Y/n] feel vulnerable and powerless. It made [Y/n] ...want to break down and cry.

https://youtu.be/FBDRQpdV81c

{A/n: This too. I cry.}

https://youtu.be/lL2V0h1jTCA