Chapter 3
It was near midnight as Nanashi, Ruri and Saito arrived at the Hanajima inn, aptly named the Violet Shade. The innkeeper, his craven smile and cowardly stature proved even more to Nanashi that she was truly the head of the family. Ruri and Saito followed closely behind, Saito flinging the host to the side with her telekinesis, still unpredictable at her age. Ruri simply smiled and followed her cousin into the room, where Nanashi began to relax, pulling off her traditional hooded cloak, revealing her more sensual side. She wore a form-fitting outfit that accentuated her curves and seemed to suggest that Nanashi was quite flirtatious, which she wasn't. She had no desire to find anyone to be her partner, as she was truly a cursed soul. With her gifts, no normal person could stand her for more than a week before plunging into insanity. But she had become used to it, as she was nearly 18.
Saito grinned sadistically as she pulled the tray from the hostess's hands. The servant was startled and ran off, completely unaware of her family's secrets.
After dinner, Ruri's eyes flashed blue and she spoke, "I see…the stranger again…his name is…"
"Toshiro…" Nanashi finished, drinking up the last bit of her tea, "Yes, we've heard it many times before…"
Ruri was unaffected by her cousin's interruption, simply finishing her vision, "But…this time…he bears ill will… And he will find new allies…powerful ones… However…there is something else… But it is yet unknown… My powers only allow me to predict events at the maximum of a week ahead of her occurrence. Nanashi…Mistress Nanashi…is there anything else about Toshiro you wish to tell us? We are your closest and most loyal servants, after all…"
Saito nodded, chomping down a donut, her face smeared white and black with the remains of her food, "Yeah…all we really know is that he's an outcast and that hardly anyone's seen him since he left. You were about…12, 13…"
Nanashi nodded and continued, "Yes…Toshiro's mother is Kaori, that I am certain… She seems to have left him to find his own way in life… On the other hand… His father is completely in the dark… And from what I've seen, he has powers… Great and terrible powers… But he's only a half Hanajima…"
"So…Kaori had an affair with an outsider…" Saito said, relaxing after her big meal.
"Yes…that's all the information we truly have… Oh and he's quite handsome… I wouldn't mind actually sampling his flesh, though he is my half brother… I am certainly quite corruptible today…" She said this last thought with a giggle as she retired to her sleeping chambers.
"So…" Saito said, "…Same as usual…we just wait out the night, then we get to rest the next day?"
Nanashi nodded and slammed the doors shut, leaving Ruri and Saito alone, silent as stones. Ruri then started to speak up, but stopped as Saito began to snore. Ruri sighed. She was always the real bodyguard, though her powers were less than useful in combat, they helped her warn Saito of oncoming danger and her partner confronted them with the powers of telekinesis, easily making them a dangerous team against even the strongest of opponents. And yet…Ruri felt weak… She was afraid…moreso than even Kaori was… And it made her feel as terrible as Toshiro… The feelings stayed with her thoughout the night, keeping her awake with adrenaline and guilt…
Ayame was at the entrance to Kureno's shop, where he was working full time now, as he was no longer restricted by the Sohma clan, as he had been with Akito. Opening the door, Ayame signaled to Kureno, who looked up and nodded. He turned to the customer he was attending to and apologetically smiled as he walked towards Ayame. The two spoke, few words heard by anyone else, except, 'the plan' and 'you must help me…' The patrons didn't mind, but were annoyed as Kureno spoke.
"Sorry, people. I've gotta run some errands. Just let me take an hour with my friend here and I'll be back. For the time, everything you've bought will be half off when I return, due to the inconvenience. Thank you…"
Kureno quickly scrabbled a note for Arisa and left with Ayame, looking back to the counter, where he first saw Arisa. The memories flowed back and he thought to himself.
Sorry, Uo-kun…
Haru was nervous. This was the first time he had made sukiyaki and tempura and he wanted to make a good impression with Rin. Isuzu chewed and chewed, seeming to want to draw this out. She smiled and spoke.
"A bit burned, but otherwise very nice, Haru."
Haru smiled lightly and took a bite of his own yet unknown creation. The texture was good, the taste was incredible…but it was burned to a charred pile, it seemed. Somehow…Haru always was very bad with fire, but Rin didn't seem to mind. Ever since Akito died, even Rin's usually cold demeanor had warmed up. But things had changed these last fifteen years. But for better or worse, he never would know…
Hiro was getting impatient. Kisa was supposed to have met him here nearly a half an hour ago, and she hadn't shown. Maybe she was with Tohru again… But then, they seemed inseparable, through whatever trials Hiro and Kisa had been through. But now…it seemed like Tohru was becoming more and more close to Yuki. Perhaps even…considering children… Hiro shrugged it off, thinking to himself that that would never happen. He sighted Kisa on the horizon and waved to her. Kisa seemed somewhat anxious for something. Hiro put a hand to her shoulder and inquired of his wife of three years, "What's wrong?"
Kisa looked up and smiled, "Hiro… We're… We're going to have a baby…"
Hiro was stunned. Of course, he wanted children, but not this early. He smirked and grabbed Kisa by the waist, throwing her around and letting her land lightly on her feet, growing closer to his face. Their lips met in a new type of kiss, full of the passion and love of creating new life.
They turned and looked at the playground, thinking of many things. The fact that their child would soon play on these swings, the suffering the Sohmas had been through, even what Tohru had done in Akito's final days. And they seemed to look longingly into the sky for new inspiration, as the future seemed uncertain. But Hiro simply laughed at the thought and carried Kisa towards the swings.
"Let's play on these again… For old time's sake…"
Kisa smiled and nestled her head in Hiro's chest, wanting this moment to last forever.
Momiji had been waiting at his father's office for nearly an hour and was about ready to leave when he heard a knock on the door. He turned to see a wizened face that was nearly worn out from a tortured life.
"Momiji…it's been nearly three months since you've spoken… Been busy with work?"
"Something like that… I'm still working with the Sohmas… I'm waiting for you because I have a message from Kureno that he thought you might want to know in case I'm gone for a while."
Momiji's father took the note and opened it, reading the foreboding secrets of the Zodiac Family.
To all Sohma family members given this message, the contents of this note are strictly confidential and any outsider who reads this will be punished under the strictest code of ethics we have placed down.
The message is simple. The Hanajima clan has been acting strange lately and their head has been making moves towards a war that could spread into the outsider's world. We're trying to prevent that by unlocking the latent powers of the zodiac spirits. In order to do this, however, we require the 12 Zodiac Gems and Scrolls, in addition to the Emblem of the Cat and the Robe of God, all hidden in the possession of Zodiac members. We require that all members of the zodiac who are not presently engaged in matters of a personal nature or other inner relationships put all their power into gaining these 26 items. Once we possess all of them, Natsuko can incite the rituals and begin our counterattack. We understand this may cause unnecessary suffering, but in order to end this conflict peacefully, without involving innocents, drastic measures must be taken.
Sincerely,
Kureno, Hatori, Shigure, and Ayame Sohma, Temporary Heads of Sohma House
Momiji looked towards his father as he walked out the door. He waved and spoke a few fleeting words of encouragement.
"Don't worry, dad. We'll get those Hanajimas… No problem at all!"
Momiji's father simply shrugged his shoulders, sitting in his chair and staring out into the outside world he had been given, but his son had been denied.
As the rabbit of the zodiac clan exited and saw the sun shining through the clouds, he looked strangely sullen.
Tohru…I don't want to hurt your friend… But in order to save my friends…I have to hurt one of yours… And many more… I'm so sorry…
The sorrow lifted as Momiji sighted Ayame, Kureno, Shigure and Hatori walking towards him, Ritsu on task as well, as he had nothing better to do.
The mission was apparently a success, as the 12 gems had been located, and Hatori mentioned they were close to finding the Emblem of the Cat. Momiji nodded and followed them, still smiling as he felt inner turmoil and guilt through his "loyalty" to his "family"
Arisa was at the store, waiting for Kureno and saw the note on the counter. Looking at it, she blinked and looked out the door, still hoping that Kureno would be outside, playing a trick on her. But she knew the truth. Kureno was gone again… The Sohmas were his family, after all. Arisa was sad, of course. But 'love conquers all' had become her favorite saying since she and Kureno had officially began going out. This time wasn't any different. She would just have to wait until another time…
