I've been negligent so two chapters this weekend!:) Plus all the story ideas are flowing😊 I own nothing in this! Credit to all original authors and composers and lyricists😊

Chapter 14

Kyomi walked into her room behind Shigure and Luc who had already run ahead to investigate. There were a few toddler toys already there as well as a bucket full of sand toys to take to the beach. The stuffed bunny in the crib gave Kyomi an idea as to who had planned it all for Luc.

"Momiji is something else that's for sure. I'd have given him a huge hug by now except for the bunny rabbit part." Kyomi commented as she took their bags from Shigure and placed them on the bed to unpack and change them both into their swim things. She looked back at Shigure standing in the door. "We are going to change for the beach if you wouldn't mind waiting downstairs for us."

He just leaned against the closed door behind him, "I'll just wait right here then if that's alright with- oof!" He was cut off by a pillow hitting him square in the face. "How rude! I see you have all the manners of that orange feline brother of yours… Too bad… I'll be downstairs!" He said quickly as he dodged her purse and out the door, shutting it behind him.

"Insufferable…" she said to herself under her breath as she changed into her suit. It was a fairly modest one piece that had a built in dress that made running after Luc easier and less hazardous. The skirt however was fairly short and very ruffled so it lost no femininity. The Irish emerald green set off her hair and paler skin to its best effect as well. She definitely got both from her father. She quickly changed Luc into his trunks and a shirt before grabbing the beach toys and towels, throwing them in her bag with her book and piano books and heading downstairs. As soon as her feet touched the first floor and Luc was heading towards Shigure, she made a bee line directly for the glossy black Bluthner in the corner.

"I'm surprised it's not a Yamaha or Kawai. I've never played on a Bluthner before, but I'm guessing Momiji had some influence on this too." Kyomi said placing her music on the stand and opening the lid. Still standing, she ran her fingers over the keys and played a few scales and chords in a few different octaves to get a feel for it's sound.

"WAH! I hear music! Is Kyomi here?" Came a very loud voice from the porch door. Momiji ran up to her and watched her finish her playing with a surprisingly critical eye. Kyomi closed the lid once she was done and as soon as the lid hit, she felt herself being hugged. POOF!

"Momi-chan! Luc!..." Kyomi trailed off holding the small rabbit in her arms as she looked around for Shigure and Luc who were no where to be found.

"They already went to the beach so it's alright isn't it? I couldn't help myself! Please practice with me this week! I have never had a chance to play with a piano before! I've only done solos!" Momiji begged.

"Does you're teacher use the Suzuki method?" Kyomi asked curious. She had heard about the unique approach to violin and how they didn't encourage accompaniment until much later in the students training.

"Ja! How did you guess?" Momiji looked up at her surprised. Kyomi only smiled. "I am trained as a music teacher you know. It's only natural that I learn different ways to teach so I know how I want to teach. I actually learned a little viola and cello. I was never very good though. I only took each for half a semester and scrapped by on the test." She put the rabbit down so he could change back into his swim trunks.

"Your swim dress is very cute by the way Mi-chan!" Momiji popped back into the room, once again ready to head back to the beach. He stopped next to Kyomi and looked at her with mischief in his eyes. "Shigure couldn't take his eyes off you when you came down the stairs and his cheeks even got a little red! Although that might have been from the heat, but I really don't think so. I know because I stayed outside and watched! I was curious. He's been acting funny around you lately and I wonder if he even realizes." Momiji said contemplating his words with a finger on his chin.

Kyomi stared wide eyed at the young teen wondering if he could read minds. "You know he has been flirting with me a lot lately…" Kyomi gasped and clapped her hand over her mouth. "I'm sorry, I wasn't planning on telling anyone that." She slowly removed her mouth deciding Momiji was probably one of the safest people to talk to. "I just don't know what his end game is, or if it's changed. I thought I knew what his goals were, but now I'm not so sure." Kyomi said a little worried about her friends motives.

"I don't know, but maybe he isn't sure either. He definitely hasn't been acting like himself lately, so maybe he doesn't know if his goals are really what he wants after all. After all, people can change." Momiji said with a smile encouraging her to continue trusting in him.

"You just might be right about that Momi-chan. It's actually reminded me of when we were younger and he would chase me around." Kyomi laughed at the memories. "It's been kind of nice to see that side of him as an adult and it's felt just like old-times, like all awkwardness between us is long gone and I actually wasn't gone for sixteen years. That part has been nice. Beyond that, I'm really not sure what to feel about it all. I just don't know." Kyomi finished sadly. She was worried about his motives, but she was also worried that he was beginning to feel things for her that she still was not feeling for anyone. She felt very close to him, but solely as a friend, there was no attraction there for her.

"Well, I know what I would do!" Momiji said as he began to make his way to the door. "I would just continue to be his friend and have fun until he gives you a real reason to worry. We are at the beach after all. It's time to have fun!" and with Kyomi silently agreeing and outwardly shaking her head at his enthusiasm, they followed their friends and family down to the water.

After Momiji and Kyomi joined the group at the beach, they all spent the morning playing at the beach. Just before lunchtime, the teens decided to go get watermelons to split and they left Shigure, Kyomi and Luc playing at the beach. Shigure was lounging and reading, but also watching the mother and son play in the water and sand, peels of the pairs laughter reaching him between the sounds of the waves. Tohru had dropped off a small basket lunch for the trio before heading to the store with the others so when Luc started asking for crackers and cheese, she brought him back to the blanket with Shigure to eat together.

"He looks positively worn out." Shigure commented watching the small boy droop more and more as his tummy got full and satisfied.

Kyomi followed his gaze lovingly looking at her adorable son. "He should nap really well today. I'll probably play while he does as long as it won't bother anyone. Luc can sleep through me playing all day so I know he will be fine." She said with a bit of a laugh. "I've played my loudest songs by accident and he barely flinched!"

"It shouldn't bother anyone. Since everyone else has been gathering in the other sitting room, the room with the piano has been pretty empty. You should play to your hearts content. I know several people have been interested in listening to you. And also, I haven't heard you play since elementary school. I guess you don't play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star anymore?" He asked her, eyes twinkling in anticipation of her reaction.

She burst out laughing, startling Luc from his near slumber in his lunch. "I forgot about that! Even you who would sit and listen to me play for hours, got so tired of that song you ripped up the music right in front of me." Kyomi had stopped laughing and a smirk crossed her face. "You stormed out after I started playing it from memory."

"You played it so much just out of pure stubbornness. You knew that song and could play it well. How much practice does a nursery rhyme need?" Shigure asked exasperated just at discussing the incident.

"It was more spite at that point. I couldn't let you win." Kyomi commented leaning over to grab another few grapes. Shigure grabbed them before her hand could reach them and he popped one into her mouth as she had opened it to chastise him for stealing her grapes. Kyomi's face turned red and she nearly choked on the fruit as she stood up and quickly cleaned up their backet and picked up the blanket. She looked over to see Shigure holding Luc who had laid his head on the tall man's shoulder already nearly asleep. She started storming off back up the hill when a hand grabbed her wrist. She turned to see Shigure standing there with a softly earnest expression on his face.

"I didn't mean to scare you like that. I am sorry if my teasing went too far. I just feel so close to you again like you had never gone. It's hard to stop doing some of the things I used to." He said a little sheepishly. He raised his hand to brush the backs of his fingers across her cheek wiping sand away that had gotten dried there. "You should probably shower when we get back. You're a mess." He said, taking her elbow and directing her up the staircase so he could walk behind her knowing how much of a klutz she could be. She still managed to slip on a wet spot and he had to carefully grab her around the waist to steady her, still managing to keep his distance so he wouldn't turn into a dog and drop her son.

Little did they know a figure stood talk up on the rocks watching them fury building in her. Kureno watched the family head carefully and then looked at the young boy walking up the road towards them not paying attention to what lied ahead. He was only able to silently pray that Akito wouldn't vent too much of her anger at Yuki.

That afternoon, the younger children napped while Kyomi played. Every so often she would accompany herself as she sang softly, not wanting to disturb anyone. Towards the end of her time she had set aside to practice, she decided to play one of her favorites. You stumble through your days, Got your head hung low, Your skies' a shade of grey. Like a zombie in a maze, You're asleep inside, But you can shake away. 'Cause you're just a dead man walking, Thinking that's your only option, But you can flip the switch and brighten up your darkest day, Sun is up and the color's blinding, Take the world and redefine it, Leave behind your narrow mind, You'll never be the same.

Kyomi didn't realize what had started as her own version of the song as a soft ballad was quickly getting away from her and increase in volume and speed to closer to the original song.

I see it in your eyes, You believe that lie, That you need to hide your face, Afraid to step outside. So you lock the door, But don't you stay that way, No more living in those shadows, You and me we know how that goes, 'Cause once you see it, oh you'll never, never be the same, We'll be the light that's turning, Bottle up and keep on shining, You can prove there's more to you, You cannot be afraid

Come alive, come alive, Go and ride your light, Let it burn so bright, Reaching up, To the sky, And it's open wide. You're electrified, When the world becomes a fantasy, And you're more than you could ever be, 'Cause you're dreaming with your eyes wide open, And we know we can't be go back again, To the world that we were living in, 'Cause we're dreaming with our eyes wide open.

Kyomi wasn't aware that ask she repeated the chorus, she had gained an audience of her brother, Tohru, Momiji, Hatsuharu, Kisa, and Shigure in the doorway at her back. They watched as her hands skillfully drove the song to its ending. She sat back once the last notes had died away and rubbed her wrists. She had played a little too loud which strained her hands a little. She was glad she had brought her braces to sleep in but thought she should go grab them to put on now just in case. As she stood and turned from the piano, she froze seeing the group behind her. The range of expressions on everyone's faces was a lot to take in. Shigure looked proud and impressed, Kisa, Momiji and Tohru looked awed and excited, and Haru looked vaguely intrigued, but it was Kyo's face she stopped on. He was just staring at the piano with a sad and pained look on his face. She could only tear her eyes away from him when Momiji bounded over asking where she learned how to sing. On learning that she had studied voice as her secondary instrument, he insisted that they needed to find a piece for voice, piano and violin.

"Everyone, Akito has just arrived. We should probably go say hello." Shigure interrupted Momiji and Kyomi's discussion on adapting a song Kyomi already knew to add in a violin part. He had seven surprised faces staring at him since Hiro had finally woken up from his nap and joined them.

After some discussion, the zodiac members filed out the door leaving Kyomi alone with Tohru and Kyo.

"Oh! I hear Luc awake, I'll be back in a bit." Kyomi said as she quickly went to get him up. She returned to the couple making pancakes in the kitchen which she gladly assisted with, settling in for a quiet evening. She fed the hungry boy quickly then with a smirk, bid the young couple bye and took him outside to play allowing them some privacy.

The next day was much the same as the previous evening Kyomi and Luc playing the day away, Kyomi practicing while Luc napped, and trying to give Kyo and Tohru as much time to themselves as possible.

The next morning was much the same, however around lunchtime Shigure came back to the house with a shocking announcement. "Akito would like to see you Kyo. He has also requested your presence as well Kyomi. Luc can stay here with Tohru for his nap. Akito unfortunately does not like small children." The room was silent, all eyes stared at Shigure. Until Tohru hopped out of her seat, "Isn't that exciting? You both were invited! I'm so excited for you!" She completely missed the concerned look Kyo and Kyomi shared. After Tohru and Luc waved them away as they walked to the house Akito was staying at, Kyomi turned to Shigure. "What is Akito doing? Why does he want to see Kyo and I? It just doesn't make any sense!" She exclaimed scratching her head in frustration. Kyo joined her, "Tohru is left all alone! It's not fair to her!"

Realization dawned on Kyomi and she looked at Shigure. He glanced at her and nodded. "That's exactly why Akito asked for you two. I'm not sure his motivation, but Tohru feeling alone seems to be important to him." Shigure said to Kyomi, completely ignoring the fuming cat behind him.

"It's a power play. Huh, even I got roped into it and there's not a damn thing I can do about it either especially with Luc here. Damn it!" Kyomi yelled as she kicked a rock further down the road. Kyo looked at his sister a little oddly thinking he heard his words come out of her mouth. They arrived at the house and Kyo went straight in to see Akito while Kyomi waited with the rest of the zodiac members.