Writer's Note: One of the reviewers has offered me some challenging and helpful questions. Thanks, Loritakitochan! I will try to amend what I can, as I didn't even think about Hatori's gift being unrelated to the curse, and I guess I never picked it up from the story, or didn't remember it. I have read up to chapter 136. Rereading is sometimes a challenge, though.
Aftercurse
Chapter 8: Research
Hatori was sitting at his table when Momiji arrived. They were headed to back to Shigure's house. Momiji was at the Sohma compound to visit his father and Momo, again.
"Hello, Momiji. Did you enjoy your visit?" Hatori asked him.
"Yes, I did. Mama wasn't there and Papa didn't say where she was." Momiji's voice possessed a hint of uncertainty about his mother's absence. "I hope she isn't sick."
At this moment, Akito stepped into the room. She had been there the whole time. Momiji wondered why she was there, alone with Hatori.
"Oh, hi, Momiji. I thought I heard your voice. I was upstairs sleeping. Hari gave me some medication. I've been worried about Shigure." Apparently, something in the way Momiji looked at Akito betrayed his thoughts. She wasn't normally so explanatory.
"Oh," came Momiji's surprised reply. He wished he hadn't. He felt it made him seem guilty and he wanted to disguise that, but it was no good, either way. Akito was unusually good at reading people. He finally recovered, greeted her, and said, "I think we're all a little worried about Shigure. He seems worried, himself, these days, and he's not usually like that."
"I am getting to the end of my rope with this. He is looking thinner these days and if he keeps losing weight, I think I'll lose it," Akito said to Momiji.
"Something's up with him, but I don't think we should pester him about it."
"I wasn't planning to pester him," said Akito, peeved with Momiji's comment.
"I'm sorry, Akito, I didn't mean it that way. I just think he wants to keep it to himself for some reason, and, while we care about him, I think we should respect his reasons. Not that you, or anyone else, are doing otherwise."
"Yes, well, I fear that I may lose my patience before his plans, or whatever is going on, come to fruition."
"I know it sounds trite, Akito, but friends don't give up on friends."
"And friends don't push their friends to feeling like giving up," Akito sounded exasperated.
Momiji answered in sagacity, "Perhaps friends do when they have no other choice. That is, if they are real friends, they must do things that push their relationships to the breaking point to do something necessary out of love for those they care about."
"Maybe you are right. I will try to be patient, the way you all have been so patient with me. By the way, I want you to know that you didn't owe me an apology earlier. I'm sorry I missed the opportunity to tell you that. I'm sorry for my tone. I'm just worried."
"I understand," and Momiji smiled as he said it.
Akito nodded, then looked across the table at what Hatori was reading. "What are you reading Hari?"
"I'm doing research to help Shigure on his quest."
"What is his quest?" the other two asked.
"I'm afraid I cannot be the one to tell you that, but we need to leave for Shigure's now. Are you coming Akito?"
"No, I think I will stay here. I'm still tired."
As Momiji and Hatori left and were making their way onto the main road, Hatori said, "Momiji, I think I saw your mother heading toward my house a few moments ago."
Except for asking, "What? Do you think she went to see Akito?" and being answered by Hatori's distracted shrug, the drive passed in silence. Momiji went over every possible meaning of his mother visiting Akito, followed by thoughts of how it probably wasn't even her.
"Listen to this, Shigure. Shoki, spelled S-H-O-K-I or S-H-O-U-K-I,
' - THE DEMON SLAYER
Protector Against Evil Spirits & Illness
Expels the Demons of Plague
Guardian -- Safety of Hearth & Home
Protects Homes with Male Children
Protects Male Heirs to the Chinese Throne'"
Isn't that interesting?"
"Why are you still here, Hari?"
"Wait, there's more!" Hatori read one and finished with, "…But when Shoki was presented to the court, the emperor rejected him because he was so ugly." Hatori laughed with uncharacteristic mirth. Shigure fumed, but for only a fraction of a second.
He adopted a superior air, and said, "Remind me, Hatori, why are you here?"
"I'm here because I thought you might like more information about mythology… you know, to help you on your mission."
Shigure glared at Hatori dangerously. "Honestly, Hari, I think Aya has been influencing you, rather than the other way around."
"Well, it's always good to have a little fun. But, look at the time. I was going to meet Mayuko in a half hour. Goodbye, Shigure, Momiji."
Writer's Note: Credit to this website for the direct quotes: onmarkproductions dot com /html/shoki.shtml
At lunch at school the next day, Hatsuharu and Momiji met up. After they greeted each other, Hatsuharu opened conversation with, "I heard that Momo may be coming to school here."
"Yes, Mama came here, and asked me about it. I hope she allows Momo and I to go to the same school."
"I, honestly, think it would be good for the two of you," Haru said. "And what's this I hear about Hari's research?"
"I'm not sure what that is all about, except it has something to do with Shigure's plans."
"I'm worried about Shigure."
"I think we all are."
At this moment, someone in their year called to Momiji, "Look a the pretty little girl! At least, I think it's a girl! Hey, Momiji, are you are girl or a boy? I can't tell. If you're a girl, I might give you a kiss."
Hatsuharu stepped between them, a crazed look in his eye. "Just try to kiss him, wimp!"
"Haru! It's okay, don't worry about it. He's not worth getting expelled"
Hatsuharu calmed down, immediately. "I suppose you're right, Momiji. Isn't it funny how I would have completely lost it, in the past?"
Momiji laughed. "Those were the days, huh? I think it's funny you still have black and wh—" but he broke off, midsentence. Momiji was staring across the hall.
"Oh," Hatsuharu said knowingly, "Who is that?" When Momiji wouldn't speak, Hatsuharu strode across the hall, and introduced the two of them to beauty who was standing there. "Hello, I'm Sohma Hatsuharu, and this is my cousin, Sohma Momiji."
"Genji Chie,"the girl said as she lifted her hand to Hastuharu, but seemed unable to make eye contact with Momiji, who had recovered his senses to the effect of being unable to make eye contact with her.
"Chie is a lovely name. Well, I guess we'll see you around."
"Yeah. See you…uh! Nice to meet you," as she finished her exclamation, she and Momiji accidentally made eye contact, looked quickly away, and blushed.
When Miss Genji was safely away, Hatsuharu laughed and clapped Momiji on the back. "You're finally becoming the man I predicted you would be."
Momiji grinned, slightly embarrassed, then shouldered Hatsuharu and nearly knocked him into someone. "Whoa!" Hatsuharu cried. "You're bigger than you used to be, too. We're almost the same height. Watch it, will ya?"
"Hey, Haru. I think it would be nice to have the former Juyunishi over for dinner, tonight. Maybe it will bring Shigure back to himself. What do you think?"
"Sounds great, Momiji. See you tonight, then." Hatsuharu and Momiji waved goodbye and went on to their last classes of the day.
Writer's Note: I have the next chapter nearly written. I will try to put it up over the weekend. DA
