"Are you going to hit me?" Minami asked Akito as they walked down the steps.

And Akito looked back with a cold expression. "It wouldn't do me any good with you, after all, we're quite a like… the two of us." and took a seat on the edge of the wall, Minami cautiously took a seat some ways away from Akito. "How did you break the curse?"

"I didn't." Minami explained and Akito looked over at her. She was tall, very pale with androgynous appearance, she ahd short, nape-length hair and long, messy bangs that framed her thick eyelashes and sharp eyes. "It would've broken with or without me."

"I find that hard to believe." Akito said coldly and Minami paused. This Akito, was also different… still cruel and angry that was obvious enough from what she knew of the Zodiac members past, but this one was much more level headed. Although It was obvious that she could see that Akito was in a very… very bad mood. "I suppose you must think you're special and unique."

"Am I?" Minami asked her.

"I hadn't realized before, why I was ignoring your existence, more than I ignore other members that aren't apart of the Zodiac. It wasn't until Kureno's curse broken, that I understood why I was ignoring you. Our bond, the curse, is strong and will remain strong but your existence seemed to want to question that. I do hate your very existence, but I can't help but find it amusing." She sent her a cold smile. "That even though they are able to hug you and feel… affection, when I call them they always answers."

Akito leaned closer, Minami could feel her breath as Akito ran her hand through her hair. "The hatred I feel for you is difficult to explain, that despite my feelings, I know that if I injure your person, they'll only flock to you more."

"Are you afraid that they'll leave you?" Minami asked Akito who paused and looked her right in the eyes.

"Of course not." Akito said with her hand full of Minami's hair, but released it instead she cupped her hands on Minami's cheeks. "All the Sohmas, by my side. All of them… will stay with me… until death. All the members of the Zodiac.. All in the same place, the same place, aging at the same pace. No struggles, and no struggling. Forever… without change. A wonderful future, a never ending celebration… Without change. However, you… won't get to join us for sure."

"You are just apart of the flow of time, a little breather for them, that's all. That's all it ever will be. So do help them enjoy their little taste of freedom, of normalcy, of 'happiness'." Akito said and got down from the wall and noticed Kureno standing there. Kureno looked down at Akito, frozen. Akito placed a hand on shoulder. "Enjoy it while you can Kureno." Akito looked over at Minami. "The one who is the saddest of all of us, is most definitely you. You're worse than the cat, just a little girl stuck in another world, not only losing one family but also causing your other family to leave you alone too. I wonder, if they miss you... How I pity you." Akito smirked and released her hand on Kureno's shoulders and walked away. The rain continued to pour down on them and Akito walked pass Hatori who looked between the three of them. Akito help moving and her figure vanished.

Hatori placed a hand on Kureno's shoulders and whispered something into his ear, something Minami couldn't hear, and Kureno absentmindedly nodded, sent a look towards Minami, and walked away. Hatori walked towards the wall and they stared at each other. He raised his hands up and Minami hopped down. Hatori took off his jacket and placed it around her. "Don't waste your tears." He told her quietly and Minami slowly moved her hands up and unnoticed she was still crying. Minami felt warm hands on hers. Hatori wrapped his arms around hers and pulled her close, a hand on her head. "You're okay, you're okay." He repeated over and over again.

"Hatori you're shaking…" Minami told him.

"It's not me." He said softly and picked her up. Minami wrapped her legs around his waist and arms around his neck. Minami suddenly felt very tired and she felt her eyes slowly close.

Minami opened her eyes and noticed she was back in her room, Hatori sat at the foot on her bed. "Does everyone else know?" Minami asked him as she sat up, he looked over at her.

"I know that Shigrue returned back with Akito, the rest I'm not entirely sure." Hatori said.

"Kureno?" Hatori opened to towards the window and Kureno stood outside, looking out at sky.

"He was worried about you." Hatori said. "But I think he'll be fine."

"How did you know… How did he know…" Minami asked.

"That Akito-sama was here?" Hatori asked and she noticed. "Kureno had woken up shortly after you left and noticed that the door was slightly open. He went to go investigate. Shigure told me that Akito had left the other villa. So I came here… I was worried about that something bad was going to happen."

"I'm fine." Minami said. "Though, Akito is good at looking at other people's weaknesses and pointing it out in a deliberate way to hurt them…"

"Yes…" Hatori said and stood up. "The rest are down at the beach, waiting for you." He stood up and made his way outside but Minami grabbed his hand. He looked down at her.

"Hatori…" Minami said with a small smile. "Thank you."

He returned it. "Of course." He went to leave again but Minami kept hold on his hand.

"Do… Do you want to come join us?" Minami asked.

"At the beach?" He asked and Minami blushed, feeling embarrassed. She nodded, Minami heard a small chuckle and felt a hand on her head. "For someone so mature, you still act like a kid sometimes." He said and Minami looked up until to see a happy smile on his face. "I'd love to come, I'll wait for you."

"Thanks.." Minami said embarrassed and Hatori looked over at her and placed a hand on her cheek. But as soon it was there, it was gone. He left the room and shut the door. Minami placed her hand on her forehead, it felt very warm. She shook her head and got dressed. Hatori waited outside of her doorway and they walked downstairs. They opened the door and looked over at Kureno. "Are you coming?"

'..." Kureno looked at her for a moment and smiled. "Yes, I'll be there in a little bit."

"Alright…" Minami said and Hatori stared at Kureno for a moment, and they walked down the stairs to join the others.

"IT'S CLEAR! It's clear! It's clear! The rain has stopped…!" Momiji said happily. "We can play with the fireworks now…!"

"The sun still has not set.. Can we really play now?" Yuki asked.

"MUST PLAY!" Momiji cheered and Minami smiled.

"Where should we start first?" Kyo asked.

"Leave it to me! I've already decided which to light first! I'll start…!" Momiji lit one and it looked like a snake and just appeared and died in one second.

There was silence.

I… want to do this one." Hatsuharu said.

"How do you use that one?" Yuki asked.

"No Idea.. Yuki, try reading the instructions…" He told him.

"Shoots up… remove it from the package and light it by the string attached." Yuki read and Hatsuharu aimed it at Kyo. "Don't hold it in your hands or point it towards people or buildings."

"You're pointing it at me… at me!" Kyo said.

"Don't worry… I believe in Kyo, you… will be able to dodge it…" Hatsuharu said and Kyo grabbed the firework.

"Don't have such a belief." Kyo said angrily.

"Then, let's play with the fireworks…?" Hatsuharu asked.

"HARU! I SAID DON'T POINT IT AT PEOPLE!" Kyo yelled.

"Let's start!" Momiji said. "HERE IT COMES, FIRECRACKER!" There was a loud ba ba sound and Minami and Hatori took a set, watching them amused.

"IT'S TOO NOISY!" Kyo yelled.

"Firecrackers are noisy…" Yuki said.

"Ah.. Everything's in a mess!" Kyo yelled.

"That's really… really…" Hatsuharu said.

"Don't you say that." Kyo said.

"But, it's really pretty…" Momiji said.

Everyone enjoyed themselves.

"This is the first time the twelve Zodiacs had ever gathered like this." Hatori told her.

"It's nice to see this, everyone so happy." Kureno said behind them and took a seat beside Minami. "Are you alright?" He looked over at Minami.

"I'll be fine." Minami told him. "I'm more worried about you."

"I'll be fine." Kureno, repeating her words. They sat and a comfortable silence. "Ah I forgot to mention." Kureno said making them look at her.

"What is it?" Hatori asked.

"I support you two." Kureno said with a teasing smile.

They blushed and looked away from each other.