Chapter 3
The sky had already darkened. It was now covered with a blanket of shimmering stars, similar to a bottle of glitters spread out on a plain surface. It was a clear night without a hint of cloud in sight. The snowstorm had disappeared without a trace like it had never happened, unless you glance at the structures covered with white powders as if they were wearing a white over coat. Most of the guests had already left due to the fact that it was very late into the night, but some of them decided to remain for the night, and stay with a close relative that resided inside the complex.
The four cousins settle down on front porch near the garden as if they were right at home. Tohru was now filling Shigure in on her encounters with the new Sohma members as he listened silently without a single interruption until she had finished her story.
"So you met Takuri and Kyami," said Shigure, repeating what he'd just heard, scratching his chin while looking at them with eyes full of humour, "isn't it a surprise how differently he acts when he's around her?"
Tohru nodded in agreement, "he must like her a lot to be so different to her."
"You can say that," said Shigure, smiling at the three youngsters in front of him, "they've been friends since I can remember. She always managed to get him to calm down. It's probably like Ha-san and Aya."
" Do you always have to bring him up?" questioned Yuki darkly, narrowing his eyes.
Tohru glanced at Yuki nervously, 'I guess he's still not getting along too well with Ayame-san. I wish he would just give him a chance. He can be a great brother for Yuki-kun.' "Ano…Shigure-san," said Tohru out loud, trying to change the subject on purpose as well as wanting an answer, "Where are Momiji-kun, Hatsuharu-san, Hatori-san, and the rest of the Jyuunishi?"
"Ah," said Shigure understandingly, "Ha-san and the rest are preparing for the Banquet."
"The Zodiac Banquet!" exclaimed Tohru, with her eyes sparkling, "it must be so wonderful being there."
"I'd rather stay home," stated Yuki, leaning back while using his hands for support, "it's nothing special, Honda-san. The same thing every year."
"At least you are allowed in there," Kyo sighed, using his hand to support his head. With his elbow on his knee as he sat cross-legged, Indian style on the wooden floor of the porch.
"I don't get why you want to be in there so badly…" Yuki mumbled, 'when I'd rather be out,' he added silently.
"We should go too Yuki-kun," Shigure pointed out, using his hand to help him get up, "the Banquet is going to start soon. We wouldn't want to miss Ha-san's dance."
Yuki got up silently with unwillingness written all over his face, but he chose to keep the words on the inside like he usually does, because he know complaining would be useless. He wasn't the type to show his emotions, he'd rather keep them bottled up inside than show it to the rest of society. That's one thing that separated him from Kyo. "Hai, Shigure."
"It's Hatori-san's turn to dance this year?" Tohru inquired, with an expression between that of a look of surprise and excitement.
"Hai, it's been a while since I last saw him dance," Shigure added in a dreamy tone, just an added touch to make the three younger kids uncomfortable, but continued in a more serious one, "you can visit Ame-chan if you want. It'll be a while before we would be allowed to leave."
"Is she not going to the Banquet?" asked Yuki in surprise, looking at him in wonder.
Shigure shook his head in response, "She's spending it with Tari-kun and his mother. She did last year too Yuki-kun."
"Ano? Kyami-chan is allowed in the Banquet?" questioned Tohru as surprised by the news as Yuki was about her not going.
"She's cursed too," Kyo answered in a bored tone without even a single movement as he continued staring into the dark yard of the Sohma Main House, "a part of the family." 'Unlike I…" he added silently
"She's not a Jyuunishi… is she?" she asked uncertainly, looking between the three of them for an answer.
"She's not," Yuki responded, his eyes darkening "it's a different type of curse."
Tohru stared back at them as if they've grown a second head, apparently making her more confused she already was. "I guess we should explain," said Shigure sighing as he settled back down into the wooden floor of the porch, making himself comfortable before starting the story. Yuki sighed in defeat and frustration as he leaned against the arch of the main house for support, folding his arms loosely in front of his stomach.
"Haven't you ever wondered who kept our family together and acted as our voice of power after the Head of our family passed away?" Shigure questioned, his eyes showing very little emotion. Tohru stared wide-eyed at his question for she had never really thought about it.
"There were always the time gap between the death, and the growing stage of the new cursed child," Shigure continued, the confused look on her face answering his question, "Few years before or after the birth of the child of the centre of our curse, a girl will be born with a curse more similar to the one he has rather than the one we actually have. Hum…maybe I should explain better…" he added seeing the still puzzled look on Tohru's face, "Uh… let's just say that she'll act as the head of our family before the real one is old enough to do the job on his own, and um… her son or one of her sons will carry the full curse," he said those last few words uncomfortably.
"So what Shigure-san is saying is that Kyami-chan will be in charge of the family after Akito-san's death…" she trailed off, but continued after gathering herself together, " and that her future son will be the next Akito-san in the family?" Tohru inquired, looking less confused than she was before, her mood seemed to have faltered greatly, "it must be painful to know that your child will be surrounded by death before he was ever born…knowing that you'll lose somebody you love and there would be nothing you can do about it…knowing what would happen to him after seeing so many before him and hearing all of the stories…"
"And you still don't even know half of the story," Shigure looked down on to the floor, a small hint of sorrow appeared on his face, but it disappeared as quickly as it had came, "oh well…maybe we'll tell you another time. For now, we better get to the banquet before Akito-san throws another anger tantrum." He slowly got up, gloating over Tohru and Kyo who were still sitting on the floor, "I'm sure you two youngsters will have fun tonight. We won't come back until New Year's day, so you'll have plenty of time," said the Inu slyly. Yuki, being the only person getting his meanings, punched his older cousin on the head before dragging him inside, "bye, Honda-san. I'll check on you in the morning. Don't try anything stupid Baka Neko or I'll make sure you regret it," said Yuki threateningly before disappearing behind the door with the whining Shigure.
"What's with that K'so Nezumi!" Kyo hissed, still glaring at the door.
"Ano…Kyo-kun?" Tohru inquired, "Should we visit Kyami-chan like Shigure-san told us to?"
"If you want," was Kyo's reply. He leaned back onto the hard wooden floor, wrapping his arms behind his neck, using it like a pillow as he staring into the sky.
"Then let's go!" said Tohru energetically, clapping her hands together automatically. She seemed to be frozen in her spot for a second before speaking, "Kyo-kun…where does Kyami-chan live?"
"At the main house," he replied without any real interest, ignoring Tohru's reaction, "she's probably at Takuri's house right now if she's spending it with his family. I guess I'd have to go too if you're going." He turned around so he was face to face with Tohru, making sure she'd get his point, " BUT I'M NOT GOING TO STAY FOR LONG!"
"Hai…" Tohru replied shockingly, stared wide-eyed at his explosion.
"It's not that I don't want to spend New Year's with you," he said quickly before giving her the wrong idea, "It's just that I don't feel very safe being under the same roof as where Kagura would normally be…I mean she does have a rough way of showing her affection if you know what I mean."
"Huh?"
"Oi!" Kyo called out, knowing what she was missing, "Takuri is Kagura's younger brother. I thought you could tell be the way they looked. Not to mention their explosive personality."
~To Be Continued~
That was a short chapter. I guess I'm just getting lazier by the day if it's possible that is. Anyways please review, so I'd know how I'm doing right now. They kinda inspire me, so if you want me to update sooner then REVIEW please! (Still not yelling.) LOL
The sky had already darkened. It was now covered with a blanket of shimmering stars, similar to a bottle of glitters spread out on a plain surface. It was a clear night without a hint of cloud in sight. The snowstorm had disappeared without a trace like it had never happened, unless you glance at the structures covered with white powders as if they were wearing a white over coat. Most of the guests had already left due to the fact that it was very late into the night, but some of them decided to remain for the night, and stay with a close relative that resided inside the complex.
The four cousins settle down on front porch near the garden as if they were right at home. Tohru was now filling Shigure in on her encounters with the new Sohma members as he listened silently without a single interruption until she had finished her story.
"So you met Takuri and Kyami," said Shigure, repeating what he'd just heard, scratching his chin while looking at them with eyes full of humour, "isn't it a surprise how differently he acts when he's around her?"
Tohru nodded in agreement, "he must like her a lot to be so different to her."
"You can say that," said Shigure, smiling at the three youngsters in front of him, "they've been friends since I can remember. She always managed to get him to calm down. It's probably like Ha-san and Aya."
" Do you always have to bring him up?" questioned Yuki darkly, narrowing his eyes.
Tohru glanced at Yuki nervously, 'I guess he's still not getting along too well with Ayame-san. I wish he would just give him a chance. He can be a great brother for Yuki-kun.' "Ano…Shigure-san," said Tohru out loud, trying to change the subject on purpose as well as wanting an answer, "Where are Momiji-kun, Hatsuharu-san, Hatori-san, and the rest of the Jyuunishi?"
"Ah," said Shigure understandingly, "Ha-san and the rest are preparing for the Banquet."
"The Zodiac Banquet!" exclaimed Tohru, with her eyes sparkling, "it must be so wonderful being there."
"I'd rather stay home," stated Yuki, leaning back while using his hands for support, "it's nothing special, Honda-san. The same thing every year."
"At least you are allowed in there," Kyo sighed, using his hand to support his head. With his elbow on his knee as he sat cross-legged, Indian style on the wooden floor of the porch.
"I don't get why you want to be in there so badly…" Yuki mumbled, 'when I'd rather be out,' he added silently.
"We should go too Yuki-kun," Shigure pointed out, using his hand to help him get up, "the Banquet is going to start soon. We wouldn't want to miss Ha-san's dance."
Yuki got up silently with unwillingness written all over his face, but he chose to keep the words on the inside like he usually does, because he know complaining would be useless. He wasn't the type to show his emotions, he'd rather keep them bottled up inside than show it to the rest of society. That's one thing that separated him from Kyo. "Hai, Shigure."
"It's Hatori-san's turn to dance this year?" Tohru inquired, with an expression between that of a look of surprise and excitement.
"Hai, it's been a while since I last saw him dance," Shigure added in a dreamy tone, just an added touch to make the three younger kids uncomfortable, but continued in a more serious one, "you can visit Ame-chan if you want. It'll be a while before we would be allowed to leave."
"Is she not going to the Banquet?" asked Yuki in surprise, looking at him in wonder.
Shigure shook his head in response, "She's spending it with Tari-kun and his mother. She did last year too Yuki-kun."
"Ano? Kyami-chan is allowed in the Banquet?" questioned Tohru as surprised by the news as Yuki was about her not going.
"She's cursed too," Kyo answered in a bored tone without even a single movement as he continued staring into the dark yard of the Sohma Main House, "a part of the family." 'Unlike I…" he added silently
"She's not a Jyuunishi… is she?" she asked uncertainly, looking between the three of them for an answer.
"She's not," Yuki responded, his eyes darkening "it's a different type of curse."
Tohru stared back at them as if they've grown a second head, apparently making her more confused she already was. "I guess we should explain," said Shigure sighing as he settled back down into the wooden floor of the porch, making himself comfortable before starting the story. Yuki sighed in defeat and frustration as he leaned against the arch of the main house for support, folding his arms loosely in front of his stomach.
"Haven't you ever wondered who kept our family together and acted as our voice of power after the Head of our family passed away?" Shigure questioned, his eyes showing very little emotion. Tohru stared wide-eyed at his question for she had never really thought about it.
"There were always the time gap between the death, and the growing stage of the new cursed child," Shigure continued, the confused look on her face answering his question, "Few years before or after the birth of the child of the centre of our curse, a girl will be born with a curse more similar to the one he has rather than the one we actually have. Hum…maybe I should explain better…" he added seeing the still puzzled look on Tohru's face, "Uh… let's just say that she'll act as the head of our family before the real one is old enough to do the job on his own, and um… her son or one of her sons will carry the full curse," he said those last few words uncomfortably.
"So what Shigure-san is saying is that Kyami-chan will be in charge of the family after Akito-san's death…" she trailed off, but continued after gathering herself together, " and that her future son will be the next Akito-san in the family?" Tohru inquired, looking less confused than she was before, her mood seemed to have faltered greatly, "it must be painful to know that your child will be surrounded by death before he was ever born…knowing that you'll lose somebody you love and there would be nothing you can do about it…knowing what would happen to him after seeing so many before him and hearing all of the stories…"
"And you still don't even know half of the story," Shigure looked down on to the floor, a small hint of sorrow appeared on his face, but it disappeared as quickly as it had came, "oh well…maybe we'll tell you another time. For now, we better get to the banquet before Akito-san throws another anger tantrum." He slowly got up, gloating over Tohru and Kyo who were still sitting on the floor, "I'm sure you two youngsters will have fun tonight. We won't come back until New Year's day, so you'll have plenty of time," said the Inu slyly. Yuki, being the only person getting his meanings, punched his older cousin on the head before dragging him inside, "bye, Honda-san. I'll check on you in the morning. Don't try anything stupid Baka Neko or I'll make sure you regret it," said Yuki threateningly before disappearing behind the door with the whining Shigure.
"What's with that K'so Nezumi!" Kyo hissed, still glaring at the door.
"Ano…Kyo-kun?" Tohru inquired, "Should we visit Kyami-chan like Shigure-san told us to?"
"If you want," was Kyo's reply. He leaned back onto the hard wooden floor, wrapping his arms behind his neck, using it like a pillow as he staring into the sky.
"Then let's go!" said Tohru energetically, clapping her hands together automatically. She seemed to be frozen in her spot for a second before speaking, "Kyo-kun…where does Kyami-chan live?"
"At the main house," he replied without any real interest, ignoring Tohru's reaction, "she's probably at Takuri's house right now if she's spending it with his family. I guess I'd have to go too if you're going." He turned around so he was face to face with Tohru, making sure she'd get his point, " BUT I'M NOT GOING TO STAY FOR LONG!"
"Hai…" Tohru replied shockingly, stared wide-eyed at his explosion.
"It's not that I don't want to spend New Year's with you," he said quickly before giving her the wrong idea, "It's just that I don't feel very safe being under the same roof as where Kagura would normally be…I mean she does have a rough way of showing her affection if you know what I mean."
"Huh?"
"Oi!" Kyo called out, knowing what she was missing, "Takuri is Kagura's younger brother. I thought you could tell be the way they looked. Not to mention their explosive personality."
~To Be Continued~
That was a short chapter. I guess I'm just getting lazier by the day if it's possible that is. Anyways please review, so I'd know how I'm doing right now. They kinda inspire me, so if you want me to update sooner then REVIEW please! (Still not yelling.) LOL