The tall figure strode through the double doors of the Diamond dojo, his hazel eyes penetrating and his short black hair glistening. He removed the sunglasses from his face as he stood in front of the main desk where the little man with the glasses looked up a bit surprised by the imposing figure in front of him.
"Can I help you sir?" he stuttered.
"My name is Nakagami," the man said in a soft-spoken but deep voice, "I am here to see Mr. Ushida."
"Of course" the little man nodded, "Mr. Ushida is expecting you. Go right in sir."
"Thank you" Nakagami replied politely as he walked through the next set of doors, where he found Tai was on the phone.
As he entered in Tai saw him at once and gestured him as he finished up his call. "And thank you Mr. Shinobi. I will be seeing you. Thanks again" he hung up the phone and turned to the taller man with a smile on his face, "Ichirou my old friend please take a seat."
"Don't mind if I do" Ichirou nodded taking the seat in front of the desk, "Sounds like business is booming."
"Business is going very well," Tai agreed as he wrote some figures on a pad of paper, "Considering it will be open in a matter of weeks."
"Is that what you called me for?"
"Of course not" Tai shook his head as he once more turned to him, placed his hands on his desk and folded them, "I am in need of your special skills."
"I see. Do you intend to carry out the plan so soon?"
"Not as of yet. It's still to early to carry out what my father and grandfather intended of me. Right now I simply need you to keep an eye on someone for me. And in return" he pulled out a photograph from his top desk drawer, "I found what you were looking for" he handed him the photo.
Ichirou stared at the picture for a few moments and then turned to Tai with a determined look. "What do you want me to do?"
"Keep a close eye on Kyo Sohma and his lovely little wife" Tai said with a menacing grin.
(Next Scene)
Yuki sat at the kitchen table sipping a cup of tea while Kyo stood near the sink with a bottle of water, sipping his a little slower. Yuki looked up as Kyo sighed heavily. Tohru was in the back bedroom getting some well-deserved rest.
"What's the matter Kyo?" Yuki asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"Ushida" Kyo answered, "He was grinning awful smugly when we left his office last month. I wonder if he's got something up his sleeve?"
"I wouldn't put it past him if he did" Yuki answered, "That's not all that's bothering you though is it?"
"No" Kyo admitted with a nod as he looked down at his left wrist, "I wonder if it's a possibility that the curse could return. And if that is the case, I am in a world of trouble."
"Why?"
"I no longer have the bracelet I always wore. I told Tohru to get rid of it."
"Well if that's your problem then you have no problem" Yuki said lowering his cup.
"What do you mean?"
"Come with me" Yuki replied standing up from the table and leading Kyo over to Tohru's desk, "I saw this the other day when I was looking for a pen" he opened the top desk drawer and pointed out the bracelet.
"That's" Kyo said in surprise, "My bracelet" he picked it up, "She saved it."
"I guess she has a deeper intuition then we thought. This was also in here" he lifted up the cat's journal."
"The cat's journal?" Kyo replied, "Wait" he stopped, "Wasn't this left in Ushida's mansion?"
"It was. But in some weird way it ended up in her possession again."
"How?"
"It was amongst your wedding presents the day you got married. I gave it back to Tohru."
"Huh? I wonder how it ended up there. Oh well" Kyo sighed placing the bracelet back into the drawer on top of the journal that Yuki had just placed down, "Probably not that important" he walked back into the kitchen with Yuki behind him, just as someone knocked on the door, "I don't think we're expecting anybody" Kyo said as he walked over to answer it, "Especially since it's Monday" he opened the door.
"Yo Kyo!" Hatsuharu waved.
"Haru? What are you doing here?" Kyo asked.
"Well I have a gig in town so I thought I stop by. Hey Yuki" he grinned as he came in, "You're here too?"
"Yep. I'm still here."
"Where's Tohru?"
"She's taking a nap" Kyo answered, "She's exhausted."
"Well she has every right to be" Haru grinned as Yuki and Kyo looked at each other.
"Uh Haru" Yuki replied, "Don't take this the wrong way, but I think you have another reason for stopping by then just to see us."
"Can't fool you can I Yuki?" Hatsuharu grinned even more, "I actually came by to give you these" he handed each of them a thick piece of paper.
"But" Kyo said as he read his, "Haru this is a wedding invitation."
"I know" Haru smiled.
"This is your wedding invitation" Yuki added.
"I know" Haru repeated.
"You and Isuzu decided to get married?" Kyo replied.
"Yep. We plan on a summer wedding. Real small you know. Just main family and of course the Zodiac members and their significant others."
"This a little sudden" Yuki said, "When did you decide to do this? When did you propose to her?"
"Well I didn't exactly propose" Haru put his hands behind his head, "I mean we always intended to get married. We didn't need to go through that silly ritual."
"Something's not right here" Kyo frowned, "There is no reason why on earth you'd act so fast on this, unless" Kyo's eyes became wide, "No that can't be."
"I can't fool you guys at all can I" Haru grinned, "Well you're right again. We are getting married kind of in a rush, but only because Rin is pregnant."
"Pregnant?" Yuki's eyes became wider.
"Mhm."
"Well I guess a congratulations is an order" Kyo finally smiled, "I mean sure you're having your kid out of wedlock. But I always saw you two doing that anyway."
Hatsuharu laughed out loud and then smiled back. "Yea well at least you and Tohru are doing it the right way. Do you guys know what it's going to be yet?"
"No. We still have a few months till that. But we're excited anyway."
"And I don't think it's really a bad thing that you're having a child now Haru" Yuki said, "I mean after all you do love each other."
"That's true. It wasn't some random girl I picked up. Not that I would ever do that."
"Sure you wouldn't" Kyo teased him with a mischievous grin.
"You know that Rin is the only one for me" Haru retorted.
"I know" Kyo nodded, "Well thanks for the invitations we'll be sure to make it. By the way when is the baby due?"
"September I think. Hey can you imagine your baby is due in July. Mine will be a few months younger then yours."
"That's true."
"Well got to get going. Like I said earlier I do have a gig in town. Say hi to Tohru for me" he said as he walked to the door and opened it.
"Have fun Haru and congratulations" Yuki said as he held onto the door and Haru departed, and then he closed the door, "Wow. Now even Haru is getting married."
"Yea so many people. Momiji. Ritsu. Hey speaking of which when are you going to tie the knot already?"
"Just drop it would ya" Yuki said a little bitterly as he sat back down and leaned his cheek into his left palm.
"Fine" Kyo snapped, "Have it your way. You're so touchy" Kyo grumbled as he picked up his water bottle again and took a sip.
At that moment Tohru came out from the bedroom rubbing her eyes slightly. "Hey you guys" she smiled.
"Hey sweetie" Kyo said walking over and kissing her forehead, "Did you have a good nap?"
"Yea. Pretty good. Did I hear Hatsuharu?"
"Yes. He stopped by" Yuki replied, "To drop these off" he handed her Kyo's and her invitation.
"Wow. Hatsuharu and Rin are getting married?"
"Not only that they're having a baby soon" Kyo added, "Hence the reason for the rushed wedding."
"Really? That's great."
"Yea. Haru seems really happy about it" Kyo nodded, "By the way I called into your office today to tell them that you weren't going to make it today."
"Thanks Kyo" she smiled, "I could have gone in, but I really don't feel that great" she held onto her stomach.
"That's exactly what I told him, and he said that was more than fine and that he wanted you to take off tomorrow as well."
"But I couldn't do that."
"He insisted. You forget his wife had two kids of her own. He knows how it goes. Especially since you're a new mother."
"That's true. Momiji and Momo. Well I guess I could take one more day off. What about you?"
"Nope just today" Kyo shook his head, "I'm going back to work tomorrow. Oh shoot that reminds me, I need to go pick up some checks. Damn rat do you mind looking after Tohru till I get back?" he asked as he slid on his jacket.
"Of course not" Yuki nodded, "I'll be here."
"And dinner should be on the table when you get back" Tohru said.
"Don't go through too much trouble" Kyo replied as he opened the door.
"Kyo it's only been two months. I'll be just fine. This isn't even the time where the morning sickness is that bad. Just go."
"Okay" he nodded as he closed the door behind him, "See you later."
Tohru smiled as she walked into the kitchen. Yuki looked over at her as she began to wash the vegetables.
"Do you need any help Tohru?"
"Nope I've got it Yuki. But thank you."
"So have you decided about quitting your job when the baby comes?"
"Kyo wants me to" Tohru nodded, "I'm not sure yet."
"I think you should. You're going to be a great mom. And besides your child is going to need you at home."
"Yea. You're right. By the way have you talked to Machi yet?"
"She said that she would be home for Christmas. I told her that I would wait for her here."
"That long?"
"Yea. It's not really that far away. Only a few months. Besides, it might give me time to see what I want to do with my life."
"Do you have any ideas?"
"I was thinking about going back to Kyoto" Yuki replied, "I really liked my school there. I learned a lot. And believe it or not, I actually enjoyed quite a few of the business courses that I took."
"Business huh? That might be interesting. You have always been a real good leader."
"I guess so. But I'm not sure" he sighed, "It seems to me that I need to figure this out soon" he sighed again and thought, "Or I am going to be left behind."
(Next Scene)
Kyo drove the truck up to the dojo and climbed out of it, not noticing the black sports car that had pulled up close to his truck. Inside his car, Ichirou Nakagami watched as he walked into the dojo, come back a few moments later, and climb back into this truck. He started up his engine just as Kyo drove out of the neighborhood. Then he followed him at a slow pace.
Kyo noticed the black car in his review mirror as he drove and frowned slightly. "That car is my following me" he thought as he continued to look at the road, "I wonder if it is one of Ushida's men. Well I better be careful. I'll try to lose him in town."
Kyo drove the truck away from the road towards the apartment and led the black car throughout the streets of Tokyo. He finally lost the car when he was halfway home once more. He parked the truck in the garage and hurried to the apartment.
"I guess I lost him. I got lucky."
Meanwhile in the main city Nakagami had given up the chase only to end up following another Sohma. Rin was walking to the outdoor stage where Haru and his band were practicing a little for their upcoming concert at the Spring Festival that was to be in town in a few months. She saw Haru immediately and walked over to him and the band that congratulated them both on the engagement and pregnancy. Haru hugged Rin tightly with a smile as Ichirou watched them from his car. When he saw the two of them, he turned to a small laptop that was propped up on the dashboard and keyed in a few notes. Then on the screen appeared the information he was looking for and he scratched his chin.
"Hatsuharu Sohma huh?" he said aloud, "I'll have to keep a close watch on him as well" he picked up the photograph once more and stared at the figure in it quite intently.
Then he placed it back down and started up his car, driving away for Tai Ushida's apartment.
(Next Scene)
At that same moment up in Tai's apartment he and Riku were having a drink and discussing various deals with the company. Tai looked at his watch and smiled slightly.
"He should be here any moment."
"Who?" Riku asked a little curious.
"My source."
"You mean the guy who finds out all the information you want to know. You've know him a long time haven't you Tai?"
"Since I was about twelve years old" Tai nodded.
"That long?"
"Yes. I remember that day very well. My father introduced us and my first impression of him wasn't great for he was only fifteen himself. But his skills even till today, continue to impress me."
(Flashback)
Twelve-year-old Tai Ushida waited patiently in the hall for his father to return with his surprise. As his father, the late Kanaye Ushida entered into the main hall with a tall skinny youth with dark hair.
"Tai" he replies, "I want you to meet someone. This is Ichirou Nakagami."
"A pleasure to meet you" the younger Ichirou bowed his head.
"What's the meaning of this?" Tai asked, "I thought you said you had a surprise?"
"This is the surprise. Remember all that stuff we've been talking about?" Tai nodded, "Well this young man is going to help us get to that point. He knows everything."
"How could he possibly know anything? He's not an Ushida" Tai replied snidely.
"No. But his family has been serving ours since the very beginning."
"You mean he knows stuff about the Zodiac curse?"
"Yes. Everything. Each and every detail. And he can help you in the long run to defeat the enemy of the Ushida clan. After all."
"It's my destiny" Tai filled in quite proudly, "Don't worry father I won't let you down. Or grandfather."
"Good. Just what I want to hear. I'll let the two of you get acquainted now" he left them alone.
"So" Tai began, "You'll agree to help me on my mission?"
"Yes" Ichirou nodded, "But I do have a condition."
"What's that?"
"You have to help me find someone. Someone I have been looking for a long time."
"Consider it done" Tai held out his hand to shake the other boy's, "Nakagami huh?"
"Yes. I am the descendant of Ikumu Nakagami, the loyal Captain of the guard to Hayoto Ushida."
"Then we're quite the pair" Tai grinned menacingly as the shook hands, "From now on we will work together to reach our goals."
"Agreed" Ichirou nodded, "Agreed."
(Back)
Ichirou pulled up to the fancy apartment building and climbed out of the car. He handed his keys to the valet parking attendant and walked slowly into the building.
"What a fateful meeting that was" he thought as he walked over to the elevator and pressed the floor number button, "A meeting that has changed my life completely. And now I have finally found her" he grinned, "And she won't get away this time."
Inside of his briefcase, the picture glistened as it revealed the face of a long- haired tall woman. Rin Sohma.
(Till Next Time)