Hey everyone! I'm sorry this is late I was sick last weekend so I didn't get to write! And I can't really write during the week cause work and stuff haha.
But anyway here it is! Chapter 4! We're really moving along! I feel this is the last "hump" chapter. Now that Erin will know about the curse we can get into her involment with the zodiac curse.
I hope you enjoy!!!
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Chapter 4: Transformation
Shigure ran into the kitchen to see his fears confirmed. Erin's face was pale as she gaped at the tiny brown seahorse.
Erin didn't know what to do or think. She just stared in shock. What happened? She thought over and over and over again.
How hard did she hit her head? Her mouth moved but no words came out. "What. Happend?" Was all she could get out.
Shigure laughed a little at her reaction, remembering Tohru when she found out.
Erin continued to stare at the seahorse. Was it fake? She poked it and it moved. She yelped and jumped back.
"And here I thought Ha'ri would be better at dodging clumsy girls." Shigure laughed. Erin looked up at him. "Clumsy?" Was all she could get out. What was he talking about?
"Now before you freak out this is totally-" Shigure started. But he was cut off by Kyo and Tohru walking in.
"I can't believe work was canceled! I guess since it's been so cold the heater broke." Tohru said surprised as they walked in, just as Erin backed up to the door. She had to get out of here. But she ran into Kyo instead.
"Hey watch out!" He started to yell, but it was too late. POOF! "Oh no Kyo!" Tohru yelled as Erin saw an orange cat. She screamed again. What's going on here?!
The cat who was Kyo hissed and ran out the kitchen knocking over the pans and dishes sending them crashing to the floor. "The dishes!" Tohru exclaimed and hurosd to save the rest, as Erin watched the complete and utter chaos unfold in front of her.
Shigure made a small joke and something about the cats out of the bag. Erin was to lost in thought to notice. She must've hit her head very hard. Maybe she passed out and this was some very weird dream. She rubbed her eyes repeatedly. Her anxiety was going crazy in all the confusion and she started scratching her hand again.
Wake up! She demanded herself. She had to be dreaming. She shut her eyes tight. This was a dream right? It had to be a dream. Wake up, wake up, wake-
"Erin." The stern voice pulled her out of her thoughts. She opened her eyes to see a barefoot Hatori in his slacks and hastily buttoned shirt. The cat was gone but the broken dishes still scattered the floor. The only reminder of all the chaos.
Hatori grabbed her wrist and pulled her outside and shut the door. It was getting dark now, and it was cold and snowing. Erin didnt even notice the cold, or the clouds of air surrounding her from her heavy breathing.
Hatori didn't look at her. He just lit a cigarette and leaned against the back rail of Shigure's back porch. He took a long drag and for a minute they just stood there in the snow as Erin collected her thoughts. And arranged the millions of questions she had.
"What you just saw was the Sohma curse." He said flatly, answering her unasked question. He didn't look at her as she processed what he meant by "Sohma curse"
Her mouth opened but he cut her off. "The Sohma family is possessed by the vengeful spirits of the Chinese zodiac. There are 13 cursed members of the junishi. Kyo, Shigure, Yuki, and I are members of that curse. We transform when hugged by a member of the opposite sex." He stated looking out into the snowy woods.
Erin slowly began to process what he was saying. If Hatori turned into a seahorse when in contact with a girl, it would explain the odd way he maneuvers around people.
"I'm sorry Erin. But this isn't something you're allowed to know. I was hoping you never found out I"- he cut himself off, trying not to think about what he'd be ordered to do if Akito found out that she knows.
Erin saw the pain in his eyes. She laughed a tiny bit. Hatori raised a brow at her. "I'm sorry. I just really thought I was going crazy. I was really worried. But I guess that was normal?" She asked with a faint smile.
Hatori surprised himself by laughing a bit to, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Normal. Odd word to use." He collected himself though and went back to his usual stern self. "Erin. I am serious though. You shouldn't be involved with the Sohma's. Now you understand why I wanted you to leave. We're bizarre, sinister, and cursed. An evil shadow looms over this family." He said flatly.
Erin paused thinking about the curse. Was it just turning into animals? Or much more than that?
"Well I can't leave now. But I'm sure I'll make arrangements soon to get out of your hair. For now I'm content. A little shocked and confused about the whole animal thing but, I think the prognosis of me living is good." She said softly her cheeks bright red from the cold. "I don't think I'll ever regret meeting you and your family. You're all very kind." She said smiling slightly looking up at him.
Hatori noticed her flushed red cheeks against her pale skin. Her dark hair and dark pink lips was a contrast to her pale complexion. She even had snowflakes in her hair. He blinked and recollected his thoughts. He took anoither drag of his cigarette.
After a few moments of looking at the sky she smiled. "I really do love the snow." She said and then bowed slightly and took her leave inside. Hatori sighed and stubbed his cigarette.
Hatori was walking on very thin ice. Had he not learned his lesson the first time. He held a hand to his injured eye. Akito would have to know about this. And he would have to erase her memories, just like every other time someone discovered the secret.
He knew that. So why was he starting to grow fond of her? Why did he think about her? He barely knew her. And what about Kana? He loved her and that ended horribly. His brows furrowed as he looked at the snow. He didn't deserve to be happy. He had to live as the frozen snow. This was his promise he had made. And one he intended to keep.
He took one last look at the snow and went inside to see Tohru setting dinner on the table.
The rest of night went calmly with everyone eating. It wasn't until Erin almost spit her drink at a sudden thought.
"Wait a minute. A seahorse isn't part of the Chinese zodiac." She exclaimed suddenly.
Shigure bursted out laughing and Hatori looked away in embarrassment.
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Shigure stood in The Sohma main house awkwardly pacing. He never got nervous. He always had a plan. However it wasn't a part of his plan for Erin to find them. And it defiantly wasn't part of his plan for Hatori to take a liking to her.
Of course, Shigure knew that Hatori was probably unaware of these feelings. He was more stubborn than him when came to feelings. Hatori would never admit it. And Shigure had more work to do with them both.
Shigure saw how Hatori was acting with her on his back porch. He hadn't seen him like that with anyone but Kana. Hatori has very subtle and small ways of showing his feelings towards people. Most people would overlook them. However, lucky for him Shigure had been studying Hatori his whole life and could pick up the subtle hints he dropped. Understanding and using people was one of Shigure's many talents.
And if Erin has the effect on Hatori like Tohru has had on Kyo and Yuki the curse would be broken sooner than Shigure planned.
There was just one problem. Akito. How would he get him on board with Erin living with him and knowing about the secret?
The maid came out to walk Shigure into Akito's room, and he followed down the long darkened hall. Shigure walked this hall a lot. However, today it reminded him about that day. The day Hatori and Kana asked permission to get married. He remembered Kana being excited and Hatori being uptight and nervous.
Shigure had teased him about being so nervous. Even made jokes towards the two. Shigure remembered walking behind them and watching them together. Shigure also remembered Hatori looking back at him before they entered. Shigure had given him a nod of encouragement.
Shigure knew that was the last time he looked into both of his eyes. Shigure frowned at the memory but shook it off as he entered. He knew he had to at least do this for his friend. He deserved to find happiness again.
"Akito, I've come to visit again" He said with a sly smile as he walked towards the figure by the window. It was showtime.
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"But how? There's no way he just agreed" Hatori's usual stoic voice gave way to genuine surprise. Shigure smiled. He could practically hear his jaw hitting the floor, even over the phone.
"Yes. Ha'ri I've told you like twice now." Shigure playfully stated, while twirling the phone wire with his finger. "He said he trusts me and it's alright." Shigure said smiling. Hatori scoffed on the other end of the line.
"What's the catch?" Hatori asked. Shigure laughed. "Hatori you worry way to much. Just relax and let me handle everything." Shigure said in a playful tone. Hatori made a noise than hung up.
Shigure exhaled. Hatori was always suspicious. And he never trusted him.
"I believe this might be a valuable opportunity for Hatori. Hatori is loyal to me. And after what happened the last time, well let's just say I'm sure he's learned what happens when you betray me. So if you want to let this girl be there than I'll allow it. But let Hatori know this. If he thinks he can find true happiness with this dumb girl and falls for her, I'll take his other eye."
Shigure shuttered at the memory of Akito's words. He looked out at the winter snow on the ground.
"I'm sure everything will work out" Shigure said to himself smiling.
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Hatori pinched the bridge of his nose. Why was he always angry when getting off the phone with Shigure? He sighed.
What was he and Akito planning behind his back? He hated feeling like he was being played or lied to. He sighed again and closed his file. He looked at the clock. It was 2:00 in the afternoon. Usually he would get Erin from school but, today was Saturday.
He closed his files. He hated weekends. The clinic was closed and Akito was usually occupied by Kureno or Shigure. Ayame would sometimes come to visit him. However Hatori pushed the thought away. He didn't have the energy to deal with Ayame right now.
Hatori's mind wandered to what Erin would be doing if she were at his house. He smiled slightly. She's so shy she'd probably just quietly sit at the table scratching her hand like she always does.
He paused then furrowed his brows. Didn't she hurt herself by doing that? He would have to check next time and try to break her of the bad habit.
"Ha'ri!! Are you home?" Momiji's excited voice pulled Hatori out of his thoughts.
"In my office." Hatori said flatly opening the file back up. Momiji ran in huffing. "Ha'ri... is... it... true?" He said between deep breathes.
Hatori raised an eyebrow. "Is what true? And how many times have I told you not to run around the grounds?" Hatori questioned not looking up from his file.
Momiji bowed. "You're right I'm sorry." He said taking a seat in his usual spot. "And I heard that Shi-Chan has a new girl living with him! Tohru was telling me at school yesterday. And just now I heard maids talking about it. So is it true?" He asked excitedly.
"Yes it is true. She's been there a few weeks now. Her name is Erin." Hatori deadpanned. Momiji's jaw hit the floor.
"Ha'ri!! You've known about this for weeks and you haven't told me?!" He said upset. Hatori sighed. "Momiji it's not my job to keep you updated on everything that goes on in Shigure's house." He said pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Well what's she like? What's she look like? Is she really nice? I wanna meet her! Please let me meet her Ha'ri pleeeaasssee!" He whined.
"Momiji I'm sure you'll meet her the next time you go over to Shigure's house." Hatori stated. Why was he asking him all these questions?
"Well then I'll go over there now! I must meet her!" He exclaimed as he ran out the room.
"Momiji! Wait!" Hatori tried to stop him but he was already out the door. He hastily grabbed his things and inwardly cursed. He would have to go with Momiji to make sure he behaved, or he would start bouncing off the walls and overwhelm her.
Hatori jogged outside and stopped Momiji. "I'll give you a ride." He told him and Momiji happily jumped into his car.
Momiji asked question after question and kept asking him if Erin was pretty. Which Hatori didn't know how to answer. He refused to reveal his thoughts and feelings to a child like Momiji.
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Hope you guys enjoyed! Please feel free to leave a review to tell me what you think! Oh and thanks for the follows and likes! Love you guys!
