Me: Alrighty, time to start another chapter of Dark Secrets!
Rena: Sheesh. You're story isn't giving us much of a happy vibe at the moment.
Me: It will, it will. Just have to get over this whole Tsujitani Massacre Battle thing. Afterwards, there will be lots and lots of fluff between Kyo and Tohru and other pairings on the field trip you are all so anxiously waiting for! XD
Rena: How… Interesting…
Me: Flying Pot-kun will be there ;).
Rena: (blush) Shut up, will ya?
Me: Will do. Roll 'em!
Rena: ElementalGuardianProtector owns nothing but this story and her characters.
Chapter Thirty Seven
Hatsuharu walked out of the guest room and looked at his wrist watch. "It's seven forty-five already… Only about six more hours until our battle into the Destined Future…" He trailed off.
"Man… I hate these battles… So annoying. But this is the Seventh Anniversary of the Tsujitani Family Massacre, so this should be the very last one of these battles. Until the Big One, anyway."
"If we defeat the Dark Lord and the Guardian of Darkness during that battle… And if Tohru takes Rena's life… Then the world will be safe, and no more battles. As long as Rena is used as out sacrifice…"
"When I think about it this way… Rena really doesn't have much time left to live. At most, a month. Probably even less than that. Time's running out for her, and fast. Not to mention she's already seen the Angel of Death once, and probably will again soon…"
"Haru, Haru!" Momiji ran up to the Ox of the Juunishi, charging down the hall towards him. "Rin was here! Rin was here just a few minutes ago!"
"Huh? Rin… She was here, of all places? In this house?" Hatsuharu repeated, almost as though his brain hadn't quite registered it yet.
"Yeah! She was really mad about something and in a god-awful mood. Rena-chan made Tohru, Yuki, and I leave her and Rin alone in her and Tohru's bedroom so that the two of them could 'talk'. Though Rin didn't seem like she was in much of a talking mood – Rena had to us her powers to stop Rin from lunging at me. And she was getting really mean with Yuki."
"As far as we know, nothing really happened in there when they were alone together. I mean, when we returned to Rena-chan. She was lying down and Rin was gone. I wonder what had made Rin so angry… Not that she isn't usually angry… But still."
"…I see… Well… Where's Kyo? And Kagura-nee? I haven't seen them all day." Hatsuharu asked Momiji, temporarily changing the subject. "We can discuss Rin's behavior later."
"Kyo left earlier today. He was gone before Rin even got here. I think he's out on a walk or something, not sure. And Kagura-nee went home for a while maybe an hour ago. Maybe to talk to Rin, not sure about that either." Momiji answered.
"Alright then. I'll go get Kagura-nee, Uotani, and Hanajima before midnight. I'm sure Kyo will be back soon enough. Did Rena go out as well?"
"Yeah. She said she was sick of being stuffed up in this place, and went out with Ayame to get some fresh air. They're driving, but Rena-chan said they'd go on a short walk together, too."
"Ah."
"Do… Do you think Kyo is still mad about the Inami and the Cat thing? I mean… He should be mad in a way… I wouldn't be very happy either. I wouldn't know what to think – My animal spirit would have taken over by then. But I don't want Kyo to stay mad at Rena-chan."
"Yeah… He probably still is mad. Kyo is one person who knows how to hold a grudge. A long, hard grudge."
"I hope he forgives her. I can't say I blame him for being upset… But he has to realize… She isn't Inami. I think Rena-chan should apologize too… For not telling Kyo, because it obviously upset him. When you upset people, you should apologize, and try to make it up to them."
"I also agree."
"I hope Kyo can forgive her before it's her time… I don't want her to leave us will unfinished business or a feeling of sadness."
"…For Rena's sake… We'll have to be strong about it, when she's gone. Especially you and Ayame, because we know the two of you will take it the hardest. You don't want her to die with regrets, do you?"
"No…"
"Good. Get yourself ready and be useful of something. Tonight's battle won't be an easy one."
"This will be the first time we fight Akito, though. You do realize…"
"Yes, I know. And this is the first time Akito's ever involved himself in one of these battles. I wonder why…"
"Is he… Is he going to summon an – "
"Don't even think about that. Let's just hope he's not going to. And then there's Yuki, Tohru, Kyo, and Kagura, who don't know how to use their powers yet…"
"Rena-chan really has her hands full. That Dark Collusion came at the rottenest of times. I just hope those four will be okay…"
"Ayame, Shire, and Hatori will be joining the batter as well. So its me, you, Rena, Uotani, Hanajima, Ayame, Hatori, and Shire." Eight against two and an unlimited amount of probably level 12 akuryous."
"If only Kyo, Yuki, Kagura-nee, and Tohru had their powers… We'd be at more of an advantage… Either way, we're horribly outnumbered. What about… What about Rin? She'd… She'd be really useful."
Hatsuharu glared a dark, cold glare at Momiji, almost as if he was in the midst of going Black Haru. Before Hatsuharu could say anything to the Rabbit of the Juunishi –
"Momiji-kun? Where did you go?"
"Ah… I've got to run. Tohru needs me. Talk to you later, Haru." Momiji let out a small sigh of relief before waving back at Haru and slipping away, walking downstairs. (Saved by the bell lol)
"Hmmm… I've got the feeling I'll be feeling pain tomorrow morning after this battle…" Hatsuharu sighed, walking back into the guest room. "Hatori-nii, why exactly are we going to fight tonight of all nights? I mean, with Akito. He never shows for these things, and the battles aren't usually that hard. Just something to do. Almost like a game, usually."
Hatsuharu sat down on the bed and watched the Dragon of the Juunishi, who was sitting at the desk writing out something similar to battle strategies. "As you may already know, ever since a few months ago, a little bit before Kyo-tono, Yuki-tono, Kagura-hime, and Tohru-hime were killed, Akito started revealing that her was our true enemy, not the akuryous." Hatori began.
"Before Rena-hime ran away to this era, she was told by Akito 'On he date of the Seventh Anniversary of the Tsujitani Village Massacre, a few months from now, gather your army and prepare to battle me at Midnight. Do not worry the location. Just be prepared. I will come to you.'."
"So Akito arranged for this whole thing… Well, I guess this will give us the chance to analysis our enemy, see firsthand what we're up against, and measure how much our enemy has grown in strength and skill." Hatsuharu laid down across the bed.
"I hear Ayame and Rena went out on a walk, but where's Sensei?"
"Shire's in Shigure's room. They're 'bonding'. Idiots." Hatori answered, continuing to scribble words down onto papers as he pushed up his working glasses on his face, concentrating hard.
Hatori turned from his desk for a moment to look at Hatsuharu. "Seeing you and Rena will be leading this battle, how will the two of you be going about it?"
"I will be going after that damned Itachi, no matter what. And Rena will probably go straight for Akito. Seeing Shire and Momiji aren't much of the fighting type, they will be our defense." Hatsuharu began to inform the Dragon of the Juunishi.
"Their powers are incredibly strong, and combined, we should have easy defense, especially if I myself put up a magnetic barrier. Or if you also put up a barrier, but we'd need to keep them protected. You, Ayame, Hanajima and Uotani will have to take care of the akuryous yourselves for awhile. Rena and I will back you up, if necessary."
"Shire and Momiji will try to keep Yuki, Tohru, Kagura and Kyo safe and alive, along with battling as well, if they must. And seeing Tohru's powerless, Rena will be in charge of returning stamina and healing while fighting."
"Not having Yuki, Kyo, Kagura and Tohru with the ability to fight puts a big gap in our power, both offense and defense wise. Our powers are reduced by more than half, and the defense, stamina, and healing protection is dangerously low…" Hatori trailed off.
"It'll be tough, but I think we can make it. I hope so, anyway. Akito and Itachi are bound to be stronger now than before… Man, I'm gonna feel pain and bruises in the morning… BIG bruises…" Hatsuharu sighed.
"I hope Rena's feeling better and her powers regenerated. You and her are our main source of power, and if something was to happen to either of you… Especially if we encounter a Grande Omega…" Hatori stopped.
"Don't even go into that. Don't jinx us. If we encounter a Grande Omega, we're in shit. We're going to DIE. And I'm not ready to die yet. Either way, I'll be damned if I'm going to just give up without putting up a single fight, even if we DO go face to face with a Grande Omega." Hatsuharu retorted.
"Yes… You are right. Forgive me. This is war. It's life or death. Fight or die. Conquer, or be conquered." Hatori turned back to his work. "And right now... It seems like we're going to be conquered and die." He thought grimly.
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. It's a battle to the death. A losing battle from the very beginning. Just like that battle in the Destined Future… Where everyone died."
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"I've been walking for hours, and I'm worn out… My feet hurt… But I've had a lot of time to think long and hard. For Tohru's sake, and for her sake alone." Kyo thought, walking back to Shigure's house.
"Rena… Isn't that Inami woman. I know that. Just like I'm not that Cat of the Juunishi. But my spirit just became so angry and frustrated to know that the woman who cursed it… Cursed me… Was Rena's direct carnation, the carnation of the very woman living under the same roof as me."
"To know that sort of woman is one with Rena… Her blood running through Rena's veins… Their minds, hearts, and souls linked… It was… Too much. Too… Discomforting. And for Rena to try to hide it from me… Made me irritated the more and more I thought about it."
"I can't say I blame her. I understand why Rena did what she did. She didn't tell me… Because she was afraid of what I might do, of how I might react. She was afraid of me hating her… Just as Tohru said."
"I know what those feelings of desperation and despair are like… Wishing with all your heart that someone won't hate you because of something that happened in the past… I'm doing the same exact thing… To Tohru."
" If she knew that I knew her mother, Kyoko-san… And that I let her die… That I could've saved her, but I didn't want to expose my curse with so many witnesses… What would she say? What would she do? Would she begin to hate me? Would she be mad? Yeah, I guess she would be."
"I can relate to Rena, at least with that. I don't want Tohru to hate me… So I'm keeping it a secret for now. Just as Rena tried to keep the Inami and the Cat thing a secret from me. Only… Rena didn't do anything."
"Rena doesn't have any control over an event that happened over 3,000 years before she was born, like that damned Yuki said. She had no say in Inami cursing that Cat. But I had some sort of control over Kyoko's death. So there's a difference."
"In the end… I'll have to tell Tohru, just like Rena had to tell me. I still am upset… I should be upset… But I shouldn't hold her accountable and blame her for it. She didn't do it, and had no part in it. No matter how annoying or weird Rena can be, she just wouldn't do something so horrible. She's… A good kid."
"Being Inami's direct reincarnation wasn't an option for her. Just like being the Cat wasn't an option for me. Maybe if I can get along with Rena… If we become better friends… Then one day the Cat's spirit will forgive Inami, and be at peace."
Kyo walked onto the front porch and knocked on the front door. "Ah, Kyo-kun! You're finally home! Welcome back!" Tohru answered the door, smiling at Kyo happily.
"I can find the strength to overcome these feelings of bitterness in my heart that do not belong to me, and forgive Rena… So that the Cat can forgive Inami. All because of you, Tohru, I'd do anything for you, no matter how many times, just to see you smile."
"Hey." Kyo smiled back at the onigiri, ruffling her hair. "I'm making dinner, Kyo-kun! Momiji-kun and Hatsuharu-kun kept talking about a big battle tonight, so I prepared a big feast with Yuki-san and Momiji-kun's help! And I'm inviting Uo-chan, Hana-chan and Kagura-chan over for dinner, too!: Tohru informed.
"Is that so? Well, what are we having for dinner?"
"Yakitori, tempura, oden, shogayaki, rice, and soumen!"
(Yakitori – bite-sized pieces of marinated chicken grilled on skewers
Tempura – seafood and vegetables dipped in batter and deep friend
Oden – Boiled tofu, eggs, fish, and vegetables cooked in a broth for a long time
Soumen – Noodles)
"Sounds like you've been slaving in the kitchen all day. Especially if you made enough of that stuff for like, fifteen people to eat. You really didn't need to go out of your way to do all of that." Kyo insisted.
"Oh, but it was so much fun! Momiji-kun and Yuki-kun helped me, and I taught them a few recipes! I forgot to run out to the store to get something else to drink, sorry, so we'll be having lots of tea, any tea of your choice – Iced, sweet, hot, green, you name it, we have it!" Tohru added.
"Dinner's almost done, so I'm going to get everything ready! See you at dinner, Kyo-kun! I hope you like everything!" Tohru turned to walk away.
Kyo grabbed Tohru's hand and pulled her back to him. "You… Don't over exert yourself for no reason. You don't have to try so hard to please people all the time. I'm willing to bet you're exhausted."
"I just wanted to make something special for a special night. I wish I could've gone with Rena-chan and Ayame-san to her family's graves. Or… Where they would be 1,000 years from now. I wonder if they brought any flowers…" Tohru trailed off.
"Why would they? There aren't any graves there. Where did they go anyway?"
"Um… To the park near Isuzu-chan's high school, I think… Are you going to pay your respects or something?"
"Something like that. I'll be back in time for dinner." Kyo opened the door "Please don't be late, Kyo-kun! Bring Rena-chan and Ayame-san back with you for dinner, too. Hatsuharu-kun left a little bit ago to get Kagura-chan, Uo-chan and Hana-chan. I'll see you when you get back! Tohru closed the door after the Cat of the Juunishi.
"After all that hard work you put into that meal, you dummy, trust me… I wouldn't miss it for the world." Kyo thought, running. "So I'll make this quick, and drag Rena and Ayame back with me if I have to."
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"It's a little cold out here… Colder than I had expected it to be. And it's getting dark fast." Rena looked up at the dark blue sky. She was wearing a think black jacket over her tight red elbow-length sleeve shirt, fitting dark blue jeans, and black heels.
Ayame was with her, wearing a long black coat that came down to his ankles and was buttoned up, black loafers, and his long silver hair held back in a ponytail by a black ribbon.
"Here. I'll keep you warm, love." Ayame wrapped his arms around Rena from behind her, leaning his head on top of hers. 'So… In over 1,000 years from now… In the Destined Future… This is where the Tsujitani Village will be both founded and slaughtered…"
"Yes… This place plays a fresh, painful flashback of it again in my mind… I… I miss Onii-sama, Ame-nii. I miss Ryo. So very badly. He died way too young… And I hear my mother did, as well. My father, too. And all of the villagers…"Rena shoved her fists in her pockets.
"I… I wasn't able to protect any of them. Father, Mother, Ryo, and all those innocent people who died because of me, because I was born. Dammit… Out of all the people in the world… Why did Akito have to go and kill Ryo?!" Rena's eyes filled with tears.
"I'm sure your brother wouldn't want her darling little sister to cry on his behalf. And besides… You're even cuter when you smile, Rena-chan." Ayame wiped at Rena's tears.
"I know I shouldn't cry… It isn't the honorable thing to do… But I hate being this weak. Most everyone who gets involved with me… Ends up dead. But I won't let Akito take anymore lives with his Darkness of akuryous!" Rena turned in Ayame's arms and hugged him.
"Ayame… I know I don't have much time left. So I just want you to know that I love you… Otou-san. You're the best Dad ever. And when I die… Please don't suffer or be sad. Don't cry. Smile, and be happy. Okay?"
"Heh. If I lose you, my dear daughter, Rena-chan… Then I will also lose a great deal of happiness. I will always be sad, somewhere in my heart. And I can't say I won't cry, because I know when I lose you, I will, and won't be able to smile or doing anything with myself for a long, long time." Ayame stroked Rena's hair.
"You showed me how to smile, Rena-chan. You changed me for the better. You're the reason I am who I am today, the good Ayame standing before you. Not the arrogant, selfish, conceited Ayame who thought of only himself and didn't even try to understand how his words and actions hurt other, with that condescending attitude."
"You made me see what was important in life, and I changed for you. And I love you. Which is why I'll miss you terribly. I can't even begin to imagine life without you."
"Ha. Look at us. We should stop wasting out time being sad when we could be happy instead. I'm sure… That's what Ryo would have wanted." Rena smiled the best she could, slightly forcing it, the corners of her mouth twitching.
"And besides… You look much cuter when you smile, Ame-nii."
Ayame smiled back, faintly.
"Wow. It's eight o'clock already. And it's pretty dark out here. Only a matter of time bow before it's time for that battle…" Rena trailed off. "You're worried about the outcome, too, aren't you?" Ayame asked.
"Well, naturally. I'd have to be insane not to. We're not nearly as strong as before, you know, and Hatsu and I aren't the best at battle strategies. That was always Yuki and Kyo's department. And what if something happens to one of us? Plus, we're down four fighters, which effects a lot."
"Don't worry. I'm sure we'll be able to pull through somehow. And I'm sure there's a way to defeat Akito and Itachi and stop the World's Demise without sacrificing yourself."
"…I only wish that there was… But there's no need to worry about that right now. What we need to worry about is tonight's battle. I think I will be of use tonight. I feel much better now, And besides… We're ready for a little revenge. Me and Inami both."
Rena's eyes flicked back and forth between black and white, a small smile tugging at her lips.
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"It's taking longer than I thought it would to get to Kagura-nee's house… I guess I really haven't been over there in a long time, after all.." Hatsuharu pulled out his cell phone and flipped it open, dialing a number.
He continued to walk as he listened to the phone ring, waiting for someone to pick up and answer his call.
"…Hello? Yeah, is this Uotani? Hm? You and Hanajima are practicing? That's good to hear. We'll need to do as much as possible to prepare." Hatsuharu began talking into his dark blue razor cell phone.
"Tohru, Momiji and Yuki have been cooking all day. They made a nice feast to replenish everyone's strength. I was told to come and get the two of you, but it's taking longer than I thought it would, so I'm calling you guys to tell you to start heading over there without me."
"Do you guys mind? You'll be okay… Won't you?... Ha, I guess you're right, Uotani. Well. Bring everything you'll need tonight and tomorrow with you. Once you walk out that door, there will be no turning back."
"…No, I don't know if Rin will come or not. Do I want for her to fight? No, I forbade it. I know she'd help out immensely and she can fight and all, but… I don't want her to get hurt. She's already sickly."
".,.Hmmm. Maybe you're right. Well, see you there, Uotani. Bye."
Hatsuharu hung up the phone, stopping in front of Kagura's house. "Hatsuharu-kun!!! I saw you coming down the driveway, so I came out running out to greet you!" Kagura ran towards the Ox waving.
"Are you ready to go, Kagura0nee? Hatsuharu asked. "…Oh! I need to go back and get my purse! Hold on a moment!" Kagura ran back towards her house. "Kagura-neeee…" Hatsuharu groaned, following his older cousin.
"So… How exactly is that thingy with Akito supposed to work out, anyway? That big battle thing you all have been going on about" Kagura inquired as she entered the house with Hatsuharu.
"Oh… That… Well… We're not exactly sure at the moment. We're at a GREAT disadvantage. And because you, Kyo, Tohru and Yuki are powerless, we're more towards being on defense than offense."
"Knowing all of that… Why will you not allow for me to fight even still, Hatsuharu? What are you afraid of?"
Wide-eyed, Hatsuharu turned around slowly, recognizing the voice that had just spoken to him. Looking across the room, he met a pair of cold, apathetic, beautiful black eyes.
And then it happened.
He saw a sickly, dying, abandoned young girl wanting and fighting for her life.
He saw a powerful, fierce young woman with the burning desire and determination to break the Sohma Family Curse.
Isuzu Sohma.
"R… Rin?" Hatsuharu blinked. "…Gomen, Hatsuharu-kun, I didn't really come back here for a purse… Rin wanted me to lure you back here so that the two of you could talk. She said that you wouldn't listen to her and didn't want to hear it… So… I can't allow you to leave until the two of you work things out. Whatever it is." Kagura stood at the door, blocking it.
Isuzu's unmoving eyes penetrated Hatsuharu, cold and hard. "Haru… I want revenge for what he did to me. I want revenge for Akito forcing all of this onto me. And I will get that revenge, with my own two hands. Whether you approve of my method or not."
Isuzu's long trailing black hair wrapped around her, her expression that of a true wild horse. "I won't let anyone get in the way of that. Not even you."
Me: Another chapter, finally complete!
SWD: Whoopee.
Me: I want to thank my reviewers (especially my loyal ones – Ya'll know how ya'll are lol) and the band 3OH!3 for providing me with inspiration! You all rock! Could've have gotten this far without ya!
SWD: Read and review please.