Chapter VI: Moving

Growl...

He had a feeling. A very uncomfortable feeling. He never felt something so... distressing. It was unusual for him because he hadn't felt this way in a very long time. He only sensed this when he felt nearby depression, sadness, or...

Iie, it can't be...

He denied these feelings, but they were too hard to ignore. His ears were ringing. His eyes were dilating. But he would not allow himself to let these feelings make him lose control. He already had to hide because of his hideous form. Showing his vicious temper combined with his ugly features would make the dilemma a lot worse. If there was a dilemma to begin with.

No... nothing's wrong... must not... lose control...

This strange sensation was not too far away. It was coming from the west, the direction of his cousins' home. She was there. That was only logical explanation. Someone was there, causing her grief. Causing him grief.

Tsubaki...

He couldn't be there for her.

Tsubaki...

He couldn't be there to protect her.

I'm sorry, Tsubaki...

He was useless.

I'm sorry...

Before, she felt lonely, confused, and very violated. But now that her ojii-chan was here, Tsubaki felt safer. Safer than she had ever felt before. "Where are we going, Ojii-chan?" she asked curious.

"Somewhere safer for you." Kazuma answered from the passenger's seat of the car. They were already on their way to the secret destination, but it was only a secret to Tsubaki. She didn't know everybody else knew where they were going. She trusted her sensei 100% and didn't question his decisions. Unfortunately for her, she had to endure this trip with Daisuke.

Why the hell is he here, anyway?

Hatori sat uncomfortably at the wheel. He frowned when he saw Tsubaki through the rear-view-mirror. She looked so happy and anxious, but mostly innocent. If only she knew...

-X-

FLASHBACK

"Are sure Kazuma?" Hatori confronted Kazuma after the little family meeting in the guestroom. "Is there any other way?"

"If there was another way, don't you think I would use it?" his cousin spat back. "You really think I would put her through this if there was a better solution? I know it's dangerous, but I have no choice. There are no other options. Besides," Kazuma turned around. "sometimes, the best way to hide is in plain sight."

"If Akito finds out-"

"Akito will probably notice, but he may not know we're keeping something from him. All we can hope for is that it falls through."

FLASHBACK END

-X-

He didn't know what to do. He felt umcomfortable being part of the dilemma and not having the capability to do more. Kazuma was probably right; they could do nothing but wait to see what happens next. And he wasn't the only one with these conflicting emotions.

If anyone felt wishywashy about what to do, it was Daisuke. Of course, I can't even explain how emotionally conflicted he was, so let's go back to Tsubaki.

Tsubaki continued to look through the window feeling a little skeptical about going to this new location. She knew she wasn't going home. Her mother said she wanted her somewhere safe, and home wasn't, apparently, safe, and she figured her mother had to do something with this. Also, she felt there was a peculiar air about the route they were taking. When she looked out the window, the street seemed alien to her, but then she saw the grocery store she and her mother usually went to. An intersection was coming up and all her hopes were high. When they skipped the the fork, she nearly jumped in her seat. They were taking her home!

But then they stopped.

They couldn't be there already. Our house is about 30 more minutes away.

When she looked out the window again, she could only see wall. On the wall was a plague. When she read the plague, she couldn't believe her eyes.

Sohma Residence.

"So, you mind explaining who this Tsubaki kid is?" Uo asked her dear friend Tohru for the umpteenth time that day. Her other friend Hana, who was sitting in between the two, was also waiting for Tohru to give an answer this time. Hatsuharu stood in the corner with his arms crossed, as if he wasn't paying attention to the three friends' conversation. Tohru sat in the middle of the kitchen, head lying low, forestalling the time she had left before she had to give an answer. The cup of tea in her hands trembled as the tension in the air grew thicker by the second.

None of her friends had left the house ever since they found their long lost, cherished friend. Tohru couldn't get around her own home without her friends clinging to her side, except for Haru, who always went out in case other people decide to "visit" Tohru; and ever since they moved in, they had so many questions in their minds. But there was only one question that really mattered:

Who was this Tsubaki character?

All eyes were on Tohru as they waited for an answer.

Tohru gulped for the umpteenth time ever since her three friends showed up in her life again.

What am I suppose to say? If I tell them she's our daughter, they'll ballistic!

She twiddled with her fingers. She took a sip of her coffee. She sat still for awhile. She took another sip. She did everything little possible thing she could do to get her friends off her back. But they were still waiting.

"Well?" Uo pushed her to get the answer out. She still wouldn't open her mouth.

"Perhaps this isn't the time to ask a question like that." Hana finally said. "Perhaps an easier question. Like: where is Kyo?"

Tohru shrunk.

"Come to think of it, Carrot Top hasn't been around either. He doesn't have anything to do with this, does he, Tohru?"

This really made Tohru's day. First they were asking about the anonymous little girl she was fussing about the other day, and now they were asking about Kyo's mysterious disappearance. Could her day get any worse?

Tsubaki felt small. She had never felt so... diminished. Now she knew why Daisuke came with them. She was entering enemy territory:

The Sohma Residence. Her rival's inner sanctum. This was bad. Very bad. When her sensei told her he was taking somewhere safe, she didn't know he meant practically next door! She had never known where the Sohmas lived, but she did know it was near her house, so that gave her some spirit. But knowing she was going to be living with... him practically made her feel dead inside.

"This is where you'll be currently staying until your safety is confirmed." Kazuma told her. She wasn't listening. She wasn't even moving. She couldn't move. She couldn't go in there. What was her sensei thinking!

"W-Why here, Ojii-chan?"she asked timidly.

"Don't worry, you'll be staying with someone reliable. She's very close to your mother."

Tsubaki was still not certain; and very confused. They were so close to her house, why couldn't he just take her there? In fact, she had no clothes or any except for Mimi and the clothes she was wearing now, so she might as well go home. "Ojii-chan, I don't have any of my things."

"I already prepared your things."

Oh great, he already prepared for this. That was quite suspicious. That meant he already went to her house, which meant her mother knew about this too. Did her mother know the Sohmas? Didn't her sensei mention something about that earlier? She wondered if her father knew of any this. It wasn't likely since he was so far away, but it wouldn't be a surprise.

"Don't worry. Now, let me take you to your new home, for now." Kazuma put his hand on the small of her back, urging her to go forward. Even in her trance, she was still able to walk. When she passed the gates of the Sohma Estate, there was nothing she could do now.

As they entered the estate, Tsubaki had an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. What was this feeling? It must have been the way the mini village made her look so small. There were so many houses, it was like this place was it's own world. "This is where you'll be staying." Kazuma said when they were in front of a house. It was a traditional Japanese home, like her own. She wondered what the inside looked like; and if the people she was staying with were as crazy as the other Sohmas, who didn't live here for some reason. "You'll be staying with Kisa Sohma. She's a very nice young lady, and she'll be taking care of you until you can go home."

All Tsubaki could so was nod her head slowly. If her mother knew this person, she must have been nice. "Don't worry, Tsubaki," Daisuke crept up next to her, whispering in her ear. She hadn't known he was following them, but was able to stifle her surprised squeak.

Where'd he come from?

"Kisa-chan's really nice. She's far from crazy like my other cousins." he informed her, which relieved her. Even though Daisuke was the last person she could trust, he took his word. So far, he'd been nothing but helpful ever since she had been attacked by those strangers. It was convenient he was there at the right time. The grocery store was the other way, so obviously he was lying. It seemed like everyone she knew had something to hide.

"Kisa," Kazuma slid the door open. "Kisa, are you here?"

"Coming!" a soft voice called back. A few minutes later, a young woman came to the door to greet her guests. She was the most beautiful woman Tsubaki had ever seen (besides her mother). Her short golden locks, golden-brown eyes, and sincere smile depicted her courteous demeanor. Just looking at her made her feel a little bashful. And somehow, she knew she could trust this woman. "Konichiwa, Kazuma-ojii-san. Daisuke-kun." the young woman named Kisa said and bowed. Then she noticed the young red-headed girl. "Who is this?"

"This is Tsubaki Honda." Kazuma introduced her.

Kisa almost gasped; she put a hand on her chest. "D-Did you say... Honda?" Kazuma sadly nodded. Both of her hands flew to her mouth and her pupils dilated almost to a point where no one could see them. She hadn't heard that name in a long time, but then, right in front of her, was a Tsubaki Honda. It couldn't have been the same Honda, some people in Japan had the same surname name but weren't related in any way. But then she saw her eyes. The same azure eyes as her Onee-chan. Then, suddenly, tears silently fell out of the corners of Kisa's eyes. Kazuma frowned. He knew that how much Tohru meant to Kisa, but coming here was probably safest for Tsubaki; and she would be doing a huge favor for her long lost friend.

Daisuke and Tsubaki couldn't help but notice how sullen the atmosphere had become. Being in the dark was awkward. "I know this is sudden Kisa, but do you mind if she stays with you?"

After quickly wiping away her tears, she answered, "S-Sure, It'll be my honor." She walked up to the 12 year old girl and knelt down to her size. "It's nice to meet you, Tsubaki-chan."

"You too..." the young girl replied timidly.

"Follow me and I'll take you to your room." Kisa said, her attitude was completely different from before. It was as if she was never upset. Daisuke frowned as he followed them; he was carrying her things. What was everybody hiding?

"I'll leave the rest to you, Kisa. Please don't tell anybody about this; at least not anybody who doesn't need to know." Kazuma as he left.

"Hai. Bai, Kazuma-ojii-san." Kisa said as she continued up the stairs.

Kisa's home reminded Tsubaki so much of her own home. Her reaction to her name was also a setback. Why would Kisa get so upset? She must've knew her mother, otherwise she wouldn't have reacted like she had. Daisuke seemed just as confused, so she guessed only the adults knew what was going on. But right now, she didn't care anymore. She was staying in a nice stranger's home because, apparently, she was in some kind of danger. If only they would tell her. "This will be your room." Kisa announced when they finally stopped. "Make yourself at home. Come down when you're ready. I've prepared lunch."

Before Kisa left, Tsubaki quickly spun around, bowed, and said, "Arigatou gozaimasu."

Kisa smiled. "It's no trouble at all. I want to get to know you while you're here, Tsubaki-chan." Then she left.

"I'll see ya later, Tsubaki." Daisuke said after he put her bags down. Then he waved off. As she watched him leave, Tsubaki had the urge to run after him and thank him for being... helpful while she was in this predicament; but she couldn't. She had too much pride to thank Daisuke Sohma.

Tsubaki sighed as she looked around her new bedroom. It was so plain, but that would be something to expect in a guest room. The only thing that was occupying the place was a cot, an alarm clock on a small drawer, and a small television. She sighed again as she plopped on her bed.

"I guess this is our new home, for now." she spoke to her backpack Mimi. And she continued to stare at her liveless satchel, waiting for a response. "If only you could talk. I need some more moral support here." She hugged the poor little stuffed animal almost to its stuffing. Shortly after, she left to join her hostess for lunch.

There was a strange aura around the Main House. It was so thick, even innocent pedestrians outside the compound could probably feel it as they walked past the well-known Sohma Estate. The feeling was very bitter, almost sickly.

Something was wrong with Akito.

Hatori rushed through the halls of the Main House, trying to get to Akito's room. There was barely anyone around due to the unusual aura, but anybody occupying any space moved so Hatori could get to their leader's room. He knocked when he arrived; a faint, scratchy reply commanded him to come in. "Akito, I'm here as you requested. Is there something wrong?"

Akito's poor physical condition had, somehow, become worse over the years. Fevers had struck almost on a weekly occasion, so he was usually bedridden. Hatori couldn't find a reason for these fevers, but he had a theory. And now, suddenly out of bed, something must have happened. He must have known.

"Akito...?"

"... I've had... a revelation today, Hatori..." he said, his voice was hoarse. " The mystery behind my instantaneous fevers... it's so obvious..." his voice suddenly turned venomous. Hatori waited for him to continue, even though he was afraid he already knew what he was going to say. "And now, my fever from this morning has suddenly gotten down; and I think I know why..."

Hatori inwardly cringed.

"He's back..."

TBC...

R&R!