"Tsubaki-san."
Tsubaki looked up from her laptop as she looked towards the door. Seeing the head maid she tilted her in confusion. "What is it?"
"Akito-san is looking for you." With that older woman left leaving a bewildered Tsubaki. Akito hardly called for her so this left Tsubaki quite shocked.
Tsubaki immediately closed her laptop as she left for Akito. Upon reaching her room, Tsubaki stood outside as she then announced her presence. "Akito, I've arrived." With the she slide the door open.
Akito was leaning on the window sill, with her eyes closed. The head of the family slowly opened her eyes as she reached out her hand.
Tsubaki closed the door behind her as she then took hold of Akito's hands. This gesture made Akito smile. "Tsubaki, do you love me?"
Tsubaki let out a sigh as she slowly got closer to Akito. "Did mother and you meet again?"
Akito nodded weakly as she also leaned towards Tsubaki and slowly embraced her. Tsubaki lowered her eyes and she held Akito back. Mother must have said something to make her feel insure again.
"My answer will never change Akito." Tsubaki said. "My love for you will be for all of eternity."
"Even if there is no bond between us?" Akito asked once again.
"Yes." Tsubaki once again replied.
Akito then stood up as she looked down on Tsubaki. Akito then cupped both her cheeks. "You cannot love anyone other than me."
Tsubaki did not reply as she simply stared the Akito whose lips slowly curled into a smile. "You can only love me, Tsubaki. You're not allowed to love Ren. You're not allowed to love any of the zodiacs. You're not allowed to love Hatori and neither are you allowed to fall in love in the future."
"You can only love me." Akito only again repeated. "Like you said for all of eternity."
Tsubaki still did not reply but from the corner of her eyes she could see a camellia which was in full bloom, behead itself.
...
Hatori first introduced her simply as his assistant, Sohma Kana... She was a cheerful person from the way she introduced herself and carried the conversation when Tsubaki first talked to her. Tsubaki didn't talk to her much after that. She never really had to... Tsubaki never really had any connection other than Akito and the Zodiacs after all.
Kana was kind. Tsubaki deduced that.
When Kana was near Hatori, his expression always softened and the way his eyes looked at her with so much love made Tsubaki sick. It was no surprise when soon Hatori walked hand in hand with Kana but this time he introduced her as his lover.
Kana was like spring who was the complete opposite of Tsubaki.
"I want to request Akito's permission to marry Kana."
Tsubaki's jaws slightly dropped in shock. Akito would never accept that! She knew that and wanted to shout that out loud. But the look on Hatori and the way his hands tightened around Kana's and her reciprocating the same action, ignoring the way Tsubaki's chest tightened she didn't oppose. After all this woman made Hatori happy and Hatori deserves all the happiness in their cruel world.
"I see..." Tsubaki simply said as she walked away from the couple. "Akito is the room opposite to the hall in front of the garden." She then watched them walk towards the said room.
Tsubaki walked towards the telephone and pressed some numbers. "Hello? Is this Dr. Sato?" She said, mind wandering back to couple, as she talked to a doctor who worked for the hospital belonging to the Sohma estate. "I would like you to come to Sohma's main house immediately."
She then placed the phone back and walked towards where Akito was.
"Wow! And here I thought you would stop them."
"Aren't you Hatori's friend as well?" Tsubaki glared. "Maybe you should have stopped him, Shigure."
The novelist simply smiled as he crossed his arms as he kept walking by Tsubaki. "But you're the person who loves him. Maybe you should have opposed their decision and then proclaim your love towards Hatori!"
Before she fight back there was shout. Immediately recognizing this as Akito's, Tsubaki rushed.
Tsubaki stood by the door in shock as Shigure ran past her quick to hold Kana who was shoved by Akito.
Tsubaki wanted to move and stand in between Akito and Hatori. To try and make sure Hatori won't get hurt but when she did take one step-
*Clang*
Once again Tsubaki heard it. The chains around her which made her know Akito did not want anyone to interfere right now, to not even take a step in. It suffocated Tsubaki so much.
"You're not wanted!" Akito continued to fight as Hatori tried to hold him back. "You can't even lift the curse!"
In an instant Akito shoved Hatori away, making the man fall, hitting the mirror breaking it into tiny pieces. Tsubaki continued to stand by the doors as her eyes widened as blood flowed from left side of Hatori head. And in the back ground Akito kept shouting blaming Kana.
Tsubaki turned and quickly called in the maids. The maids escorted both Hatori and Kana out, leading them to out of the room. "Lead Dr. Sato to them. He should be here soon."
Soon after Akito huffed as she calmed down. Shigure had already left the room undoubtedly making his way toward Hatori.
Tsubaki walked towards Akito and picked up her outer kimono which was on the floor and placed it on Akito. "You'll get cold."
She then went to get the broken pieces of the mirror, Tsubaki's hands were trembling. She heard footsteps behind your, so her turned around only to be slapped across your face. The impact made her body turn and when Tsubaki placed her hands on the floor for support, it landed on the broken pieces on the mirror.
Before she could even flinch, Tsubaki was immediately grabbed by her face to face Akito. "You knew about this didn't you?" Akito glared. "You knew this would happen and yet you send them here?"
Akito's lips slowly pulled into a smile. "HAHHAHA!" her master laughed. "You're a real idiot aren't you? Simply accepting the man you love getting married and even sending him here! Not moving an inch to protect him!"
"You're an idiot." Akito whispered. "A coward who didn't even move a muscle. You don't have the rights nor deserve to love."
Akito pulled back her hands from Tsubaki's face and walked away, laughing to herself. Tsubaki simply turned back and kept collecting the mirror so not even by accident Akito would get hurt. And when she was done Tsubaki walked away from the room.
After that Kana stayed in one of the guest house for a while. She locked herself in a room and continued to blame herself, as the reason why Hatori couldn't see through his left eye ever again. Hatori couldn't stay with her as every time he did Kana would just break down...
Tsubaki instead would always go and bring her food and check on her from time to time.
"Kana-San." Tsubaki said as she placed the tray containing Kana's lunch by her bed side. "I'll keep it here. Make sure you eat it before it gets cold. You're getting weaker."
The woman didn't reply. Rather she kept on staring into space, her hair was all messed up and eyes had sunken.
"I'm sorry..." Kana finally spoke. "Because of me Hatori can't see from his left eye..." As if a broken record she kept on repeating those words.
Tsubaki wondered... How did your even think this woman would make Hatori happy? Tsubaki thought Kana was strong willed and her cheerfulness would even somehow make Akito accept them, giving Hatori the happiness he finally deserved.
Kana wasn't spring at all... Instead she was like the never-ending frozen winter. Kana not once thought of breaking the curse, your simply wanted only Hatori. She wanted Hotori with any consequences of Akito. She thought everything with in her life will be filled with rainbow and sunshine as long as she was with Hatori without any knowledge of the depth of the curse. She simply gave Hatori a brief amount of sunlight making him a tiniest bit of warm before leaving, making Hatori once again cold but this time craving the warmth he once got.
"How pathetic." Tsubaki said making the woman flinched. It even surprised Tsubaki herself at how much she did not care for Kana. Tsubaki simply turned and walk away. Walked towards Akito's room.
The next day she heard that Hatori erased Kana's memories.
Tsubaki sat in front of the porch, her head looking towards the sky. The clouds were dark and everything around her was silent, there were tiny snowflakes falling. She let out a breath which was quite visible due to the cold temperature.
Everything around Tsubaki was moving too fast. It was just one thing after another and to be honest she was tired. She just wanted to go far away and just bask in her own presence but of course that was impossible.
Tsubaki could never leave Akito.
The woman subconsciously closed her hands and tightened it, only for her to flinch as she was reminded of her wound in your hands which was yet to heal. Her hand hurt and her whole body felt cold yet she did not want to go back back inside the house yet.
"What are you doing here, Tsubaki? You'll catch a cold."
Tsubaki turned her head. The first thing she noticed was how almost immediately she body felt warm, she no longer felt cold. Somewhere in your heart was even glad that she did not go anywhere else and sat here instead because she could see him.
"Hatori." Tsubaki greeted. "I was just...thinking."
The man walked towards Tsubaki and sat next to her. They did not speak and honestly Tsubaki prefers that more.
"Your hand..."
"Ah..." Tsubaki spoke and she lifted her hand. "I injured it when I was picking up the broken mirror pieces."
Beside her Hatori visibly flinched before he regained his composure. He then sighed and brought it his hands towards her. "You should be more careful."
It was amazing how a simple touch could make someone happy. Tsubaki knew Hatori was simply inspecting her hand as a doctor but her heart went and thought otherwise. The part his hands touched felt hotter compared to the rest and right now all Tsubaki wanted to do was place her hands on Hatori's face and ask If he was okay. Maybe I should...
"Hator-"
*Clang*
Suddenly her mind wandered to Akito. The memories where Akito told her not to get close to Hatori came back. Her master told no...Demanded that.
All of a sudden, Tsubaki felt warmth on her face. Hatori cupped her face, turning her face gently. "Are you okay?" The man asked.
Tsubaki eyes stared at Hatori's violet ones, which was always filled with kindness. He was the one who suffered the most these days. He was the one in pain. He was the one who lost his sight in his left eye. He was the one who lost his lover. Yet he was the one who was asking if she was okay... Right now, he should be the one who should complain and cry. Hatori was the one who was to be comforted.
Even kindness should have its limit. Tsubaki thought as she moved away from Hatori's hands and stood up. She gently patted her yukata to remove any dust and before she turned and left, Tsubaki looked at Hatori.
When they were children...when Hatori comforted Tsubaki, She remembered saying 'thank you'' followed by 'Hatori, you're really kind.' Almost too kind. But this time, Tsubaki simply smiled sadly and said-
"You're an idiot.
...
"Akito..." Tsubaki said as she entered the room. She noticed Akito sitting near the door which had the view to the outdoor garden but the room was dark.
Tsubaki then quietly went and turned on the light m as she then went to the closet to take out a blanket. "Shigure said he'll be visiting."
This caught Akito's attention as she then smiled as she continued to look outside. "It's been a while since he last visited."
"That idiot even took in the demon cat and a girl." Akito continued as she then looked at Tsubaki as she finished.
Tsubaki approach her with a sigh as she then drapes the blanket on Akito. "I believe he has come here to talk on the same topic. He even took Yuki away."
Tsubaki knew exactly what Shigure was doing. Akito always liked keeping Yuki close and in order to spite Akito he took Yuki away, of course Akito was against it but then with Shigure's manipulative words, Akito took on the challenge and let Yuki be taken since Yuki will ultimately return back to Akito.
"Also..." Tsubaki gulped before she brought up a new topic. "Kisa...Kisa has stopped going to school."
She looked at Akito awaiting a response. Akito was not really fond of Kisa so much so that she had physically injured her. Upon not receiving a response Tsubaki continued.
"Do you think we should do something so that she can get bett-"
"Akito-san" The voice on the opposite side of the wall stopped Tsubaki from continued. "I'll be entering." Shigure had arrived.
Upon entering he gave a brief smile at Tsubaki to which she responded with a glare. He then turned to Akito as he sat down. "Yuki and Kyo have gotten happier since Tohru came." He said. "I hope things continue in a positive direction."
"I assume your real goal is for this to fail, but you're out of luck again." Ah. He started again. "Tohru is a far better person than you are."
The atmosphere was cold as silence engulfed the room. Akito stared at the moon as she said. "I know I always ask for unreasonable demands." She gave vague answer making Shigure smirk. "Leave. I don't feel like seeing your face."
Shigure smiled as he stood up as he walked towards the door. "I'll escort him out." Tsubaki said as she followed Shigure.
As they walked towards the main exit in the estate, Tsubaki looked at Shigure who seemed to be in a rather good mood. "Have to come here to simply agitate Akito more."
Shigure laughed in response. "Of course not!" He said. "I simply thought I should inform the head of the family on the matter."
"Are you abandoning our bond?" Tsubaki asked. "Akito is our God. Everything we do should to done to please her, yet here you are doing everything you can to anger her."
"Bond? Don't make me laugh." Shigure forced a laugh. "What I want from her isn't something I can get from the bond."
"I'm not someone like you who is bound by this bond." Shigure stopped as he turned to look at Tsubaki. "You are not only bound by the bond of the zodiacs but also by your family."
Shigure leaned in closer making his face near Tsubaki's. "You crave affection from only two people, Ren-san and Akito-san and if anyone else were to give affection to you reject that because you're scared." He continued. "That's why you and Hatori didn't work out even though you liked each other when you were younger."
"Hatori kept walking towards you but you kept walking away and soon he felt tired to even take on more step. He called for you but you did not answer and the person to make him rest from that long walk was Kana." Shigure looked into Tsubaki's eyes. The woman fought back the urge to punch the man right then and there. "If you were not closed minded, you probably would already have had your happy ending."
Tsubaki took a step back as she smiled at Shigure in response. "Stop lecturing me. Do you think you're my father simply because you slept with my mother, you shameless dog?"
Shigure's eyes widened as he then let out a loud laugh. "Ahahhahah! As expected from Tsubaki. You always give the best response."
Tsubaki then turned around as she walked away. Shigure hummed in confusion. "Hmm? Weren't you going to escort me out?"
Tsubaki without turning back responded. "I simply wanted to advise you to treat Akito better." Tsubaki continued. "Talking with you makes me want to hurl."
...
"I'm sorry, Momiji." Tsubaki said as she fixed the accessories on the boy. "Usually it would have been Kisa performing first then followed by you. But you know Kisa is not in a proper condition."
"It's fine! I don't mind it at all." Tsubaki then smiled at the boy's gleaming appearance. Momiji then twirled once and looked at Tsubaki. "How do I look?"
Tsubaki smiled at the boy as she then stood up. "You look beautiful, Momiji. I hope your year is full of happiness." It was once again the new year's meaning it was time for the annual zodiac gathering, their banquet.
The boy then walked towards the door. "I want to show others my kimono!" This made the woman smile but nonetheless she followed Momiji.
In a distance there were three figures approaching. Momiji shouted their names. "Shii-chan!" He called out. "You're finally here! The banquet is about to start."
"Hey, Momiji." Shigure smiled at the cheerful boy. "I'm looking forward to your performance."
Tsubaki stopped as she looked around noticing someone absent. "Where is Yuki?"
"Apparently Yuki and Kyo are skipping." Hatsuharu calmly said. "Who knows how Akito will react to hearing those two skipped?"
"Ah..." Tsubaki could already feel a headache forming. Akito will surely be enraged. "This never happened before. You should have at least forced them to come."
Shigure shrugged as he smiled. "They did come half way but then they rushed back home. Youthful people are weird."
Tsubaki sighed as she walked away from the group. "Go head inside the banquet hall. I'll go get the last person." With that she walked away towards a room as she then opened it.
Inside was a man who was in front of his computer, typing away. "Kureno. The banquet is going to start."
The man looked in her direction is surprise not expecting her appearance at all. Knowing what Kureno was going to ask, she started. "Akito has a headache so she told me to get you."
Kureno smiled as he walked towards her. "I'm happy to see you." It has been a while since they last talked. Kureno then cupped her face as he leaned in with their forehead touching. "I longed for you..."
Tsubaki had grown fond of Kureno as well. It seemed as if he always knew whenever she was feeling down and would come to cheer her up, although through clumsy actions, he made her day.
Although they weren't allowed to see each other in public, the way they would always find their way to each other accidently or the way they would steal glances at each other when they crossed path in front of others, warmed Tsubaki's heart.
Subconsciously, Tsubaki also leaned in. Maybe she also missed his presence. His cologne comfort Tsubaki as his warmth made her heart soar.
Suddenly Akito's face came into her mind making Tsubaki pull away and she quickly turned around and walked away. "Everyone has arrived, we're the last people left."
Kureno blinked but then he noticed Tsubaki's red ears making it quite obvious that she was flustered. It made him happy that he had this effect on her... Smiling Kureno then ran behind Tsubaki.
"Wait for me, Tsubaki." Kureno called out.
Tsubaki still not turning back kept walking. "I don't want you to see my face right now!"
She replied.