Title: The 2nd half of the Zodiac story

The new character in this is Phoenix: Akito's favorite girl and best friend within the Sohma family and the one everyone tries to keep distance from. After living in America so long, Phoenix comes back, just to find out who really is her enemy.

CHAPTER 1: Listen to us

Two weeks after winter began, all the leaves have finally hit the ground but the last one that has just fallen on Momiji's head. He giggles as he grabs the leaf from his head, twirling it around his fingers as he kept walking home. Like usual, the household is silent, partly because it's suppertime right about now. Momiji looks up into the sky, staring at the huge gray clouds until a sarcastic laugh destroyed the peace, catching his attention. He turns his head towards Akito's home, where the Shoji screens are open. Knowing he shouldn't be wandering towards Akito's home, he felt drawn to the sarcastic tone. He creeps up to the home, hiding in the bush to end up hearing two voices, one not so familiar until it lets out a laugh.

"Ha, ha, ha… you really believe that to be funny?" The voice asks Akito. Akito shrugs.

"No, you just assume I would."

"You are right my dear Akito." As the conversation goes on, Momiji feels a tug on his shirt. Zoning out of the conversation to see who it is, he sees Kisa, smiling brightly and taking a seat next to him.

"Momiji," Kisa whispers to him, "What are you doing?"

"Shh…" Momiji replies with a finger between his lips, and then pointing to the window, "Listen."

"I will kill her if you wish me to." Momiji and Kisa turn white from hearing those words from that unfamiliar voice. "After all, I would do anything you ask of me."

"Thank you…" Momiji and Kisa didn't listen to what next Akito was about to say. Instead they both stood and ran as silent as they could. From within the Shoji screens sitting near it, the girl, in her dark red Chinese dress, can see the two running. Her face is covered by the shadows, but you can still notice the part of her hair not held in two buns, which is the color or nighttime. She smiles seeing the two run with her glossy red lips.

"Akito…" the girl says, turning her attention back to his, where he stands, leaning against the wall behind her. "That was cruel of you to have me say those words just to scare away those kids."

"You didn't think I was serious?" The girl smile fades.

"You really wish for me to…" Silence fell between them as Akito leans off the wall to lean on the girls' back, with his arms wrapped around her stomach.

"Will you please? For me." As the girl thought about what to do, the shoji screen doors open up, revealing Hatori, kneeling on the ground.

"Akito, it is time for your appointment now." Akito cringes his face as he gets off of the girls' back.

"I'll be there." Akito said back, in an irritated way. Hatori nods as he closes the door. Sighing, "Curse this weak body of mine…"

"Don't be so hard on yourself, dear." Akito tilts his head her direction, rubbing his shoulder before grabbing her chin to bring close to his face.