"What did you just ask her?" Kaito, Haku, and Amaya asked, staring at Mamoru.
"I simply asked her how long she knew we were cursed." Mamoru answered.
"Emiko?" Kaito asked, looking at his sister along with the others.
"I've known about the Sohma family being the family cursed by the Zodiac animals since I was two or three when Mom told me stories. I didn't know you three were cursed until a little bit ago. It took me a little bit, but that's why Amaya won't hug and avoids bumping into Kaito. And why you avoid me. You didn't want any of this to happen." Emiko honestly answered, looking around.
"Kaito, phone." Emiko spoke, staring off into space.
"I don't hear anything." Haku mumbled, jumping onto the table.
"You talk as well?" Kaito asked, shocked.
Before anyone could answer, Kaito's cellphone started ringing.
"Hello?" Kaito asked on his head, trying not to sound shaky.
"Kaito?" The voice on the other end calmly asked.
"Oh, Headmaster Kaneki. What a pleasant surprise. Is everything ok? You rarely ever call me." Kaito calmly spoke.
"I'm not sure exactly. I have your grandparents here; they're saying you just left and took Emiko with you about a two weeks ago. Is this correct?" Headmaster Kaneki asked.
"Yes, it's true. But I'm sure they failed to mention that they've done nothing but abuse us." Kaito answered.
"Where have you been staying?" Headmaster Kaneki asked over the phone; Kaito could hear their grandparents in the background.
"Where have we been staying?" Kaito asked, kind of mumbling; he couldn't very well tell him they'd been staying in an abandoned shack.
"May I?" Mamoru asked, looking at Kaito, reaching for the phone.
"Ok…" Kaito replied.
"Headmaster Kaneki, what a pleasant surprise!" Mamoru happily exclaimed.
"Who is this now?" Headmaster Kaneki asked, confused.
"Well, that hurts my feelings. It's Mamoru—Mamoru Sohma." Mamoru answered, being fake hurt.
"Please stop petting me." Haku mumbled as Emiko happily petted and scratched his head and behind his ears.
"What are you doing with Kaito? Is Emiko there as well?" Headmaster Kaneki asked, confused.
"Yes, both children are here and well; they have been staying here. Yes, it seems that Kaito is friends with Haku and Amaya. We brought them here about a week ago after finding them out and about. It was just supposed to be until they could figure out what to do—where to go. We got a little bit of their story as to why they were out and about—and they've just kind of grown on me. I believe I've decided to get guardianship and keep them!" Mamoru happily exclaimed with this big-ass dorky smile.
"Is that wise?" Kaneki asked, sounding concerned.
"Oh, it's perfectly fine. We're all getting to know each other really well, I'd say." Mamoru happily replied.
"Wait. They know? Wait. Do you they both know—or just one of them? How? Does Akira know?" Kaneki asked, shocked.
"Yep. Both. Not yet, but I'll let him know later. Oh, you know: the same way you did. Our sweet Amaya and Kaito lost control and had a fun time." Mamoru answered, freaking Kaito and Amaya out.
"EXCUSE ME?! WE DID NO SUCH THING YOU DAMN LIAR! I TRIPPED AND FELL AND YOU KNOW IT!" Amaya screamed, embarrassed.
Kaito was too stunned to say anything.
"Ok. Whatever. Just be careful; they're good kids." Headmaster Kaneki sighed.
"Of course. I have no doubt about that." Mamoru replied with a smile.
"Well—if you're planning on being both their guardian, please bring both of them in. We need to have a discussion regarding Emiko, a project she's working on, and her schooling. I'm sure Kaito will want to be part of this conversation, so make sure he knows what's going on. I'll see you all in a little bit. Goodbye." Headmaster Kaneki sternly told Mamoru before hanging up.
"Did he hang up? What did he want?" Kaito asked when Mamoru handed him his phone.
"Yes, he hung up. He would like to see us all. Seeing as I'm going to be your guardian, I have to take you both to the school to talk about Emiko and her schooling." Mamoru answered with a smile.
"What are we going to do about Haku and Amaya?" Kaito asked, confused.
"Give it time; they'll turn back." Poof. "Like that. But I'd advert your eyes if I were you; when we turn back to human, we're naked." Mamoru answered.
While answering, Kaito, Amaya, and Haku changed back—and they were both very naked.
Kaito immediately looked away while Emiko froze before falling backward.
Ten Minutes Later:
"Is she going to be ok?" Amaya asked, concerned; Emiko had been laying in the same position for over ten minutes now.
"Yeah, she'll be fine; she's just not used to seeing naked people. See? Here we go. You're good to go; they're dressed. You go get dressed; you have to go to school again." Kaito replied before instructing Emiko.
"Ok." Emiko softly replied, doing what Kaito told her.
"Now, if you'll excuse me; I have to make a very important call to the head of the family and let them know what's going on. It's not everyday that we have outsiders find out about our secret." Mamoru stated with a sigh, heading to the back.
"Ok." Kaito replied, watching Mamoru walk away; he was letting everything set in.
"You're planning on having their memories erased, aren't you?" Haku and Amaya demanded, following Mamoru.
"No. That's not the plan. You know the rules; I have to tell Akira something like this. Besides, if that were the plan, I don't think there'd be any point wasting his time erasing what cannot be erased. I think that girl is related to us somehow—more specifically to Emiyo. The mark on her wrist and her lower-back. Not to mention, her abilities to see the future or certain things. She's the family's psychic. And I'm sure if anything happens to her brother, Emiko won't stay. Unlike all of us, she's not tightly bound to our God; she can leave. I want to find out what Akira plans. Think of it like this: if I'm right and she is Emiyo's descendant, and Akira finds out. How do you think he'll react? More importantly, how will he react if he finds out and finds out we knew and never told him? No, he's not like the stories we heard of Akito, but he's not exactly the nicest. And because of who he is—and who his mother is; he gets whatever he wants. While that woman has no say, she has all the pull in the family because Akira's a Mama's boy." Mamoru seriously told Haku and Amaya, making them back down before walking away.
"Hello?" An older-sounding man asked one the other end.
"Yes, this is Mamoru Sohma; I am cursed with the Zodiac Spirit of the dog. I would very much like to speak with Akira." Mamoru answered and then calmly requested.
"I am afraid that Mr. Akira is busy right now." The older man calmly answered in an annoyed tone.
"But this is important." Mamoru started.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Mamoru; but Akira can't come to the phone right now." The older man repeated.
"But Hogan, this IS of the UTMOST importance." Mamoru tried again, trying to keep his voice down.
"And I'm telling you, Mr. Akira is unavailable. If it's so important, you should come here and tell him yourself. But seeing as you're always so damn busy, tell me your news, and I will relay it to him." The man, Hogan, told Mamoru, becoming irritated.
"Hogan, that's enough; I can hear all the way down the hall. What is going on? Who is on the phone?" Mamoru heard a younger man ask, annoyed.
"Oh, Mr. Akira, Sir. I apologize. Mamoru is calling with what he says is the utmost important news. But we know him; he thinks Amaya cleaning is something important. Amazing, sure—but not important. I told him just to tell me and I'd let you know." Hogan to the man, Akira.
"He said it's of the "utmost importance?" Mamoru said that?" Akira calmly asked.
"Those were his words, yes." Hogan answered.
"And how did he sound? Urgent? Bored? Panicked?" Akira asked.
"He sounded like him. There was no state of emergency." Hogan replied.
"Let me talk to him. You may be excused." Akira strictly instructed.
"Yes, of course, Sir." Hogan replied, handing Akira the phone.
"Mamoru? It's been a few days. How are you?" Akira asked over the phone.
"Yes, it has been a few days. I apologize. I was going to call last night, but we had some interesting occurrences happen. I am good, by the way. And yourself?" Mamoru replied and then asked, being courteous.
"I am fine. You called in the middle of my weekly massage—so, a little annoyed, I guess you could say. Why did you call me? It had better be important. Oh, what happened last night?" Akira replied and then asked.
"Well, as you know, we had that old shack that used to be a small cabin, up the hill aways from my house. We had a rockslide last night; it took out what was left of it—after a fire started." Mamoru started.
"You called to tell me that shack was destroyed?" Akira asked, annoyed.
"No, of course not. Well, that's part of it. What I wanted to tell was that two teens were living in that shack; I have decided to take them into my guardianship." Mamoru explained with somewhat of a smile.
"What are they? I don't know if I like the idea of them staying with you. You know our predicament." Akira stated, demanding answers, getting others' attention.
"A boy and a girl—brother and sister. They already know. There was an incident this morning. Sweet Amaya decided to have a fun time with her schoolmate." Mamoru playfully stated with a significant smile.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH! I HEARD THAT YOU DAMN BASTARD! I FELL AND YOU DAMN WELL KNOW THAT! BESIDES, KAITO IS TOO POLITE FOR THAT SHIT!" Amaya yelled, beyond pissed off from outside; she and Haku were about to leave for school.
"I do not think Amaya likes what you're insinuating. Well, you know the rules: bring them here, and we'll have their memories erased. Then you can send them elsewhere." Akira promptly told Mamoru.
"Oh, I don't think that would be very wise." Mamoru started.
"And why is that?" Akira asked, becoming annoyed.
"The girl—her name is Emiko Saito; she has the moon and star mark on her wrist and lower-back. I do believe she is a relative of ours—Emiyo's great, great grandchild—the one that wasn't killed because her parents were afraid of her abilities. Her abilities, by the way, are the same as Emiyo's—exactly the same. But the biggest thing: there was an accident, and she landed on Haku; he didn't transform when their chests touched. I strongly believe we've finally found Emiyo's descendant—seeing as I'm sure Emiyo's passed away. But I do believe it would be a waste of time to try to erase her memories. It's possible it would work—but for how long before her abilities made her remember? Or—if he were to try to erase her memories, would it bounce back to him like the stories told about Emiyo when she was younger—before she was taken?" Mamoru answered and then asked, giving a few scenarios.
"Right. Well, she is family—and if she's really who you say she is; she's part of the curse. There's no point in erasing her memories whatsoever. Well, bring them in at different times; I'll talk to her and then have his memories erased." Akira informed.
"That's going to be impossible." Mamoru replied.
"And why is that? This is no laughing matter, Mamoru; this is serious." Akira snapped at Mamoru.
"Yes, I know this. However, Kaito, Emiko's older brother, is very protect of her. And she is very close to him. She's not a very strong or healthy girl; he's the only one who's cared for her since their parents died. If he leaves, I'm sure she'll leave as well. Actually, I know she'll leave. Like you, she's very family oriented. And to her, he's her only family she has left. Well, they have their dad's parents, but from what I understand, they're abusive towards both of them—especially Emiko. Also, I don't think she knows she's part of the Sohma Family. She said her mother's told her stories of the family—but only to a certain point it seems. So either her mother didn't know—or for some reason didn't tell her." 'However, if I weren't in the family like they were, I'd be thrilled not to be. Not with all the shit we go through.' Mamoru seriously explained and then darkly thought to himself.
"I see… Well, then we have no choice, do we? We let them stay—so long as they don't tell anyone about us and our circumstances. And Mamoru… Always remember, you belong to me; you all do. These outsiders will not be like that Tohru girl and break the curse. It came back for a reason; there's no breaking it this time. So, get those thoughts out of your head. Just as you and the others belong to me, this girl will too belong to me and this family. If we have to, this boy will also be brought in and belong to me." Akira replied before sternly informing Mamoru.
"Yes, of course." Mamoru replied with a sigh.
"Is there anything else?" Akira asked, tapping something.
"Yes. I need a favor." Mamoru answered.
"What is that?" Akira asked, interested.
"For several reasons, I know this is last minute—literally. But I need one of the family's best lawyers to go to the school Amaya, Haku, and Kaito go to. Emiko, right now, isn't in school for personal reasons, but she's hoping to go back. We have a meeting with Headmaster Kaneki about something or other. But Emiko and Kaito's grandparents are there. I'm sure they're going to try to force them back into their "care" or whatever you want to call it. I need a lawyer to get guardianship over to me today—and knowing them, they're not going to give it up willingly." Mamoru replied.
"Of course. How soon do you need one?" Akira asked.
"Within fifteen minutes; we'll walk." Mamoru answered.
"Of course. You're lucky you're one of my favorites—despite not being related to any of the originals who broke the curse." Akira stated.
"Thank you. One more thing." Mamoru thanked and then spoke up before forgetting something.
"Yes?" Akira asked.
"I think something will need to be done about Headmaster Kaneki; he's a close family friend of Emiko and Kaito. From what I've been told; he was a close friend with Emiko's mother, Himawari. I do not know what her previous last name was. Kaito and Emiko are siblings on their father's side. But with Headmaster Kaneki—I think he'll be trouble. No, he's not said anything to anyone and kept our curse even after she passed, but I think he'll try to warn the children." Mamoru informed Akito.
"Finally. I knew we couldn't trust that man; I never did—not for one second. I don't care how long it takes; those children—especially Emiko, will be mine. That bastard will not ruin this for me—for the family. Yes, I will come up with a plan. No… Before you say anything: death will not be part of it. before they hung up. Go. The lawyer should be there shortly after you get there. Maybe before. Thank you for letting me know. Have a wonderful day." Akira happily informed Mamoru before letting him go.
"Yes. You have a wonderful day as well." Mamoru replied before hanging up; he then sighed, disappointed before going to Emiko and Kaito, who were patiently waiting for him.
"Let's head to school. My car's in the shop, so we'll have to walk. I hope that's not a problem." Mamoru told the two.
"It's fine; we'll just have to keep an eye on Emiko." Kaito calmly replied.
Twenty Minutes Later:
"There you are. You're ten minutes late." Headmaster Kaneki spoke, meeting Mamoru, Kaito, and Emiko at the front entrance.
"Good to see you too, Kaneki." Mamoru spoke with a large, stupid smile.
"There you two are! Do you know how worried we've been?" An older couple asked, walked over.
"Don't acknowledge them." Kaito told Emiko, who began to shake.
"Who are you?" The older man asked, looking at Mamoru.
"Why, I'm Mamoru Sohma, and I'm planning on taking guardianship of these two. It's a pleasure to meet you—Grandpa and Grandma?" Mamoru calmly introduced himself with a calm but serious smile.
"Over our dead bodies." The man snapped, stepping right up to Mamoru.
"That not going to work on Mr. Sohma." A tall man with dark brown hair and brown stated, walking in.
"Just who the hell are you?" The woman asked, glaring at the man.
"Soham Family Lawyer, Ma'am. Now, you "over our dead bodies" tactic may work on some, but not all—especially not us. You've used that tactic many times before—often faking horrible accidents to get yourself out of trouble—or to obtain something you want. Under the name, Rossi, you even managed to fake your death. DNA has come a long way. Medical records as well. And that's not all I even have on you two; there is plenty more."
"Their father died over three months ago and you two took custody. There's nothing on Mr. Kaito, but in those three months, Emiko's ended up in the hospital several times for non-illness-related issues. In fact, she ended up in the hospital for several minor fractures, bruised tailbone—twice, and several bruised ribs. Oh, and a dislocated shoulder. I see she may be clumsy and accident prone, but nothing that would cause all those injuries."
"But the most concerning detail I want to bring to light, is that you had custody of these two for over three months; they've been gone roughly two weeks. Police records say, you called just this morning after school called about something or other and you told them they were missing but couldn't say for how long. They've been gone for nearly two weeks and you didn't say anything after a day—or even two. Most concerned and caring guardians call within twelve hours unless it's normal for a child to run away. However, looking at Kaito's and Emiko's files; neither of them are considered flight risks and have never run away before. This is first. So you should've at least called between twenty-four and forty-eight hours. What happened there?" The Sohma lawyer explained who he was and went right onto the case he had been given.
"Well, we…" Kaito and Emiko's grandmother started, only to be interrupted.
"Unless you wish to have the police called on you, I'd just sign the children over to Mr. Sohma for full guardianship. Do not make this any harder on yourselves." The lawyer calmly told the two.
"Why you little bastards! I should've killed you both when I had the chance! I shouldn't have played around and just killed you that night! How you didn't die in that plan crash is beyond me! Do you know how long it took me get control of those damn things to crash them like that?! At least your mom was just some slut! But you and your mother—you just had to be part of the damn Sohmas! Your family just had to come back here! Our son deserved so much better than Himawari!" Grandpa yelled, going to attack Emiko…