Chapter Eleven: A Dangerous Encounter
The next morning Tohru arose and saw that Kisa was the only one left in the room with her. After she too was awake they got dressed and walked back to the party room where Uo, Hana, and Kagura were just finishing setting the table.
"Good Morning Tohru!" Kagura sang out.
"What's all this?" Tohru asked.
"Hana and I wanted to make you breakfast since last time at the ski lodge you made it for us" Uo replied.
"You didn't have to go through all this trouble" Tohru grinned.
"It was no trouble Tohru" Hana added, "Now come on sit down and eat."
"Okay. C'mon Kisa" Tohru agreed.
The five girls sat down and started. A few seconds later Hatsuharu and Kyo came into the room.
"Race you to the table Kyo" Haru said running.
"I'm not racing you anywhere" Kyo replied grumpily as he scratched his head and yawned.
He stopped momentarily to stretch while Yuki passed him. When he spotted him he immediately took off running.
"However I am not letting you beat me!" he shouted to Yuki as he ran past.
Yuki just stopped and shook his head.
"What a moron."
"Good morning everyone!" Momiji's bright face appeared.
Hiro was standing behind him with his hands in his pockets.
"Oh Momiji" Tohru smiled, "Good morning. You're up early."
"Uh huh. Hiro and me went for a walk."
"If you can call it a walk, it was so noisy" Hiro replied sitting down on a cushion next to Kisa.
Shigure came in next.
"Good morning all!" he grinned.
They all said good morning.
"Where's Ayame this morning?" Tohru asked.
"Oh Aya? He's still in bed. I will say this for the two brothers. They have that in common."
Yuki just gave him a dirty look and went back to eating his rice.
"Where's Hari?" Momiji asked.
"Hatori is still with Akito" Shigure sighed.
A loud yawn was heard and a crumpled yet smiling Ayame appeared.
"Morning" he replied.
"Good morning Ayame. Sleep well" Tohru replied.
"Of course not. Shigure wasn't with me" Ayame joked.
"Aya not in front of the children" Shigure pleaded.
"You really are a sick bastard aren't you!" Kyo shouted.
"Does he always act like that?" Uo asked Tohru.
"Oh well Ayame he's" Tohru giggled nervously.
**********************************************************
After breakfast Shigure informed the younger generation that he and Ayame were going to take a bath. They weren't leaving till that afternoon so Tohru and the others decided to go for a short hike towards the bottom of the mountain that loomed just ahead of them.
"We'll go on ahead," Momiji told Uo, Hana, and Tohru since her two friends wanted to change.
"Okay" Tohru replied, "I'll wait for Uo and Hana."
Uo and Hana went to change while Tohru cleaned up some of the dishes. Ritsu came in to help her, complaining a little that she shouldn't be helping, but smiling just the same at the kind gesture. After she walked across one of the many verandas carrying Kyoko who had wandered into the eating room earlier that morning. She smiled as she recalled the earlier conversation.
"What's that?" Yuki had said.
"Oh that's Sissy's present from Cousin Kyo" Kisa answered.
"You got her a cat?" Haru asked.
"I well, shut up!" Kyo shouted.
Yuki gave Kyo a dirty look.
Tohru was so busy thinking about that moment that she didn't realize that she bumped into somebody. POOF! Tohru looked down and saw a rooster at her feet. She gasped. He ran behind a bush carrying the clothes that were lying on the ground in his beak. A few minutes later another POOF sounded. Kureno stepped from behind the bush.
"Oh Kureno. I'm sorry. I didn't see you."
"That's all right. Good day Miss Honda" he bowed.
"Wait!"
He turned back around.
"Umm. You came up with Akito didn't you?"
He nodded slowly.
"Have you seen her yet? Have you seen Uo?"
"I saw her last night briefly. Do me a favor. Don't bring it up" his head drooped a little, "That you saw me again" he took off running.
Tohru held up her hand but then slowly dropped it.
"Oh Uo. That's why? That's why last night you looked so sad?" she told herself.
"Hey Tohru!" Uo called from behind her, "What's going on?"
Tohru spun around and saw both of them looking at her with curious looks.
"Are we going or what?" Uo added.
"Um. Coming" she replied running over.
**********************************************************
Kureno slid open the door and saw Hatori sitting at a desk.
"Where's Akito?" he asked.
"He's gone for a walk. He asked that no one disturb him" Hatori answered, "He'll be back soon."
Kureno sighed and sank to the ground placing his hands on his knees.
**********************************************************
Akito walked along the path with an angry look on his face. He heard them. The laughing. The animated talk. He stepped behind a couple of trees and watched them approach. There she was in the center. Laughing and having a general good time. The other two were on each side of her smiling as she spoke. He stepped from out of the trees in a profile position. She stopped and gasped a little as he turned his head slightly and faced them. Uo frowned, as did Hana.
"Akito" Tohru whispered to herself.
"It's him," Uo said to herself.
"The one with the dark electric signals" Hana replied to herself.
"Good morning Akito!" Tohru called, "I hope you slept well?"
"I slept all right" he replied walking towards them, "What are you doing out here?"
"We were just on our way to meet the others," Tohru explained.
"I see. I don't know these two," he pointed.
"Oh I'm sorry. You didn't get to meet them yesterday did you? These are my friends. Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima."
"It's a pleasure to meet you" Akito bowed, "I am Akito Sohma. Head of the family."
"Nice to meet you" Uo said with no emotion in her voice and her hands on her hips.
"Pleasure" Hana added.
"You two have also been involved with my family as well have you not?"
"Hmm. Oh yea we know Yuki and Kyo. From school" Uo replied.
"We also know the one called Hatsuharu and Momiji from school as well," Hana said.
"That wasn't what I was talking about" Akito grinned slightly, "I mean one of you knows someone very close to me. Anyway have a pleasant afternoon" he replied walking by them.
The three girls just stared as he walked.
"That guy is creepy" Uo thought.
"So those are her friends?" Akito thought as he walked back, "What an odd group they make. Still I have to find out the truth. I suppose I might have to find out through another source."
******************************************************
At the foot of the mountain everyone enjoyed the afternoon. It was nearing time for the others to leave so the group headed back. Kagura, Hatsuharu, and Momiji were the first to depart.
"Well Tohru. It's been a blast" Momiji replied, "See you in school tomorrow."
"Good bye Momiji. Thank you for everything" Tohru said with a smile.
"No problem" Momiji replied getting onto the bus.
"See you tomorrow" Hatsuharu winked as he climbed on.
"I don't know when I will see you again Tohru" Kagura replied hugging her, "But happy birthday."
"Thanks Kagura."
"Oh Tohru. Could you do me a favor?" Kagura asked.
"What is it Kagura?"
"Look after them. Kyo and Yuki."
"Of course" Tohru nodded as a minivan pulled up and Kagura got onto the bus.
"There's our ride" Uo replied with a bag slung over her shoulder, "See you tomorrow Tohru."
"Bye you guys! Thanks for coming!" she waved as Hana hugged her and climbed into the van followed by Uo.
Kyo was standing nearby, as was Yuki. The two vehicles took off. From the corner of his eye Yuki saw that Kisa and Hiro were helping to pack up one of the Sohma cars.
"Looks like Hatori is leaving now too" Yuki replied his arms crossed.
"Oh well then I guess we will be too" Kyo added, "Bet you anything Shigure will stick his head out of that door any minute and say" he held up his second finger on his right hand.
"Kyo! Yuki! Let's pack up the car please!" Shigure called from the door.
"Told you so" Kyo smiled as he walked back into the building.
"Well then I guess we had better go pack too" Tohru grinned at Yuki who simply nodded as he followed her in.
*********************************************************
Back in Akito's room Hatori was packing his bag.
"You and Kureno will follow me back? Hatori asked.
"Of course" Akito replied, "Do I sense some bitterness in that tone Hatori?" he asked, "You don't approve of me coming up here do you" he smiled slightly.
"It's not that Akito. It's just I thought that you were ill. That's all."
"I see. I'll see you at the main house. Hatori."
**********************************************************
Kyo packed up the car as Tohru handed him her bags. She meanwhile said goodbye to Kisa.
"Have a safe trip back Kisa" she replied.
"You too Sissy" Kisa smiled.
"Good bye Hiro" Tohru called to the young boy who was climbing in the back of the car.
"See ya," he said as his head disappeared.
Yuki came out with another bag, which he handed to Kyo.
"Damn what do you got in here rocks!" Kyo replied.
"It's Miss Honda's presents stupid cat. She asked if I could carry some of them," Yuki said.
"Whatever" Kyo replied as he placed it into the trunk.
Yuki walked over to Tohru.
"I guess I'll go say goodbye to Akito" Yuki replied as he turned away once more walking toward Akito's quarters.
"Hmm?" Tohru watched him leave.
"I guess that's everything" Kyo replied slamming the trunk down, "Oh yea. The cat. I'll go get her."
"No need to Kyo. Look" she pointed.
"Ahh."
Kyoko had once again jumped onto his shoulders and was rubbing his face.
"She really is attached to you Kyo," she laughed.
"They all are" he sighed, "I'll put her in her crate. You should go check and see if there is anything you left behind."
"Okay."
"Well goodbye everyone" Ayame appeared dramatically.
"Oh goodbye Ayame."
"It was so good seeing you again Tohru. And you too Lucky Kyo."
"Don't call me that!"
"And where's my little brother? I wanted to say goodbye to him."
"Oh Yuki's in with Akito" she answered.
"Oh I see" he replied sadly, "Well then" he cheered up as Shigure came out, "I guess we'll be on our way! Goodbye Shigure!"
"Goodbye Aya. I'll see you soon."
"Oh you'd better believe it" Ayame winked.
**********************************************************
"I have to go now Akito" Hatori replied picking up his bag just as Yuki came in.
"Yuki" Akito said with a smile, "Come on in."
********************************************************
"Thanks for everything Ritsu" Tohru replied as he came out to say goodbye.
"Oh you're welcome. I'm only sorry my mother couldn't be here. She's feeling very under the weather today" he smiled.
"That's all right. Oh Yuki you ready to go?" she asked as he approached the car.
"Mhm."
"Good. I'm just gonna make sure I got everything" she ran back into the building.
"Okay" he nodded.
********************************************************
Tohru looked all over the bedroom and saw that it was clear.
"Oh I know. There's some of Kyoko's stuff in the party room. I'd better go get that," she said to herself.
Sure enough in the corner were her kitten's food dishes. She quickly scooped them up and was about to leave the room when she suddenly dropped them. Akito was standing in the doorway once more.
"Akito?"
He looked at her with a dark look on his face.
"I want to know something."
"Yes?" she slowly nodded.
"Have you been doing as I asked. Staying out of the way?"
"Hmm?"
"Last summer. I asked you not to interfere with the Sohma family. Have you been complying."
"Uh huh" she nodded.
"I don't see it that way. This party was an interference."
"But Akito. I didn't know about this party. It was a complete surprise to me too."
"I suppose that's true" he replied cynically, "Still interference is now coming from another. A friend of yours."
"Friend of mine?"
"What do you know? About my Kureno and that friend of yours? What is their relationship?"
"About Kureno and Uo?"
"What do you know?" he asked much louder.
She sighed.
"To be honest Akito. I don't know much. Uo hasn't told me a lot."
"Are you lying to me? Tell me the truth and I won't be angry."
"Honestly. I don't know anything."
"Then I have all I need" he turned back around.
"Akito!" she called.
He turned his head slightly and looked at her.
"I have to ask. Why did you come up here?"
Yuki appeared at that moment from another door and stopped dead in his tracks.
"Uh" he said.
"Why? Because I can. Ask the real question."
"Huh?" she looked up.
"Don't bore me with beating around the bush."
"Why did you" she started to say.
"Kiss your hand" he turned completely around to face her.
"She nodded.
Because I wanted to" he said simply with a smile then turned back around, "Have a safe trip back Miss Honda" he replied as he left the room, leaving her there with a stunned look on her face.
Over in the corner Yuki clenched his fist and stared angrily.
"Why?" he thought to himself, "Why is he doing this?"
**********************************************************
Authors Note: Hello Everyone! As Momiji would say! One more chapter to go till the end of Book Two. See you tonight!
Next Chapter: Phone Call
Tohru and the Sohmas return home after a very weird vacation. Tohru receives a call from a very unlikely person. Find out whom?
The next morning Tohru arose and saw that Kisa was the only one left in the room with her. After she too was awake they got dressed and walked back to the party room where Uo, Hana, and Kagura were just finishing setting the table.
"Good Morning Tohru!" Kagura sang out.
"What's all this?" Tohru asked.
"Hana and I wanted to make you breakfast since last time at the ski lodge you made it for us" Uo replied.
"You didn't have to go through all this trouble" Tohru grinned.
"It was no trouble Tohru" Hana added, "Now come on sit down and eat."
"Okay. C'mon Kisa" Tohru agreed.
The five girls sat down and started. A few seconds later Hatsuharu and Kyo came into the room.
"Race you to the table Kyo" Haru said running.
"I'm not racing you anywhere" Kyo replied grumpily as he scratched his head and yawned.
He stopped momentarily to stretch while Yuki passed him. When he spotted him he immediately took off running.
"However I am not letting you beat me!" he shouted to Yuki as he ran past.
Yuki just stopped and shook his head.
"What a moron."
"Good morning everyone!" Momiji's bright face appeared.
Hiro was standing behind him with his hands in his pockets.
"Oh Momiji" Tohru smiled, "Good morning. You're up early."
"Uh huh. Hiro and me went for a walk."
"If you can call it a walk, it was so noisy" Hiro replied sitting down on a cushion next to Kisa.
Shigure came in next.
"Good morning all!" he grinned.
They all said good morning.
"Where's Ayame this morning?" Tohru asked.
"Oh Aya? He's still in bed. I will say this for the two brothers. They have that in common."
Yuki just gave him a dirty look and went back to eating his rice.
"Where's Hari?" Momiji asked.
"Hatori is still with Akito" Shigure sighed.
A loud yawn was heard and a crumpled yet smiling Ayame appeared.
"Morning" he replied.
"Good morning Ayame. Sleep well" Tohru replied.
"Of course not. Shigure wasn't with me" Ayame joked.
"Aya not in front of the children" Shigure pleaded.
"You really are a sick bastard aren't you!" Kyo shouted.
"Does he always act like that?" Uo asked Tohru.
"Oh well Ayame he's" Tohru giggled nervously.
**********************************************************
After breakfast Shigure informed the younger generation that he and Ayame were going to take a bath. They weren't leaving till that afternoon so Tohru and the others decided to go for a short hike towards the bottom of the mountain that loomed just ahead of them.
"We'll go on ahead," Momiji told Uo, Hana, and Tohru since her two friends wanted to change.
"Okay" Tohru replied, "I'll wait for Uo and Hana."
Uo and Hana went to change while Tohru cleaned up some of the dishes. Ritsu came in to help her, complaining a little that she shouldn't be helping, but smiling just the same at the kind gesture. After she walked across one of the many verandas carrying Kyoko who had wandered into the eating room earlier that morning. She smiled as she recalled the earlier conversation.
"What's that?" Yuki had said.
"Oh that's Sissy's present from Cousin Kyo" Kisa answered.
"You got her a cat?" Haru asked.
"I well, shut up!" Kyo shouted.
Yuki gave Kyo a dirty look.
Tohru was so busy thinking about that moment that she didn't realize that she bumped into somebody. POOF! Tohru looked down and saw a rooster at her feet. She gasped. He ran behind a bush carrying the clothes that were lying on the ground in his beak. A few minutes later another POOF sounded. Kureno stepped from behind the bush.
"Oh Kureno. I'm sorry. I didn't see you."
"That's all right. Good day Miss Honda" he bowed.
"Wait!"
He turned back around.
"Umm. You came up with Akito didn't you?"
He nodded slowly.
"Have you seen her yet? Have you seen Uo?"
"I saw her last night briefly. Do me a favor. Don't bring it up" his head drooped a little, "That you saw me again" he took off running.
Tohru held up her hand but then slowly dropped it.
"Oh Uo. That's why? That's why last night you looked so sad?" she told herself.
"Hey Tohru!" Uo called from behind her, "What's going on?"
Tohru spun around and saw both of them looking at her with curious looks.
"Are we going or what?" Uo added.
"Um. Coming" she replied running over.
**********************************************************
Kureno slid open the door and saw Hatori sitting at a desk.
"Where's Akito?" he asked.
"He's gone for a walk. He asked that no one disturb him" Hatori answered, "He'll be back soon."
Kureno sighed and sank to the ground placing his hands on his knees.
**********************************************************
Akito walked along the path with an angry look on his face. He heard them. The laughing. The animated talk. He stepped behind a couple of trees and watched them approach. There she was in the center. Laughing and having a general good time. The other two were on each side of her smiling as she spoke. He stepped from out of the trees in a profile position. She stopped and gasped a little as he turned his head slightly and faced them. Uo frowned, as did Hana.
"Akito" Tohru whispered to herself.
"It's him," Uo said to herself.
"The one with the dark electric signals" Hana replied to herself.
"Good morning Akito!" Tohru called, "I hope you slept well?"
"I slept all right" he replied walking towards them, "What are you doing out here?"
"We were just on our way to meet the others," Tohru explained.
"I see. I don't know these two," he pointed.
"Oh I'm sorry. You didn't get to meet them yesterday did you? These are my friends. Arisa Uotani and Saki Hanajima."
"It's a pleasure to meet you" Akito bowed, "I am Akito Sohma. Head of the family."
"Nice to meet you" Uo said with no emotion in her voice and her hands on her hips.
"Pleasure" Hana added.
"You two have also been involved with my family as well have you not?"
"Hmm. Oh yea we know Yuki and Kyo. From school" Uo replied.
"We also know the one called Hatsuharu and Momiji from school as well," Hana said.
"That wasn't what I was talking about" Akito grinned slightly, "I mean one of you knows someone very close to me. Anyway have a pleasant afternoon" he replied walking by them.
The three girls just stared as he walked.
"That guy is creepy" Uo thought.
"So those are her friends?" Akito thought as he walked back, "What an odd group they make. Still I have to find out the truth. I suppose I might have to find out through another source."
******************************************************
At the foot of the mountain everyone enjoyed the afternoon. It was nearing time for the others to leave so the group headed back. Kagura, Hatsuharu, and Momiji were the first to depart.
"Well Tohru. It's been a blast" Momiji replied, "See you in school tomorrow."
"Good bye Momiji. Thank you for everything" Tohru said with a smile.
"No problem" Momiji replied getting onto the bus.
"See you tomorrow" Hatsuharu winked as he climbed on.
"I don't know when I will see you again Tohru" Kagura replied hugging her, "But happy birthday."
"Thanks Kagura."
"Oh Tohru. Could you do me a favor?" Kagura asked.
"What is it Kagura?"
"Look after them. Kyo and Yuki."
"Of course" Tohru nodded as a minivan pulled up and Kagura got onto the bus.
"There's our ride" Uo replied with a bag slung over her shoulder, "See you tomorrow Tohru."
"Bye you guys! Thanks for coming!" she waved as Hana hugged her and climbed into the van followed by Uo.
Kyo was standing nearby, as was Yuki. The two vehicles took off. From the corner of his eye Yuki saw that Kisa and Hiro were helping to pack up one of the Sohma cars.
"Looks like Hatori is leaving now too" Yuki replied his arms crossed.
"Oh well then I guess we will be too" Kyo added, "Bet you anything Shigure will stick his head out of that door any minute and say" he held up his second finger on his right hand.
"Kyo! Yuki! Let's pack up the car please!" Shigure called from the door.
"Told you so" Kyo smiled as he walked back into the building.
"Well then I guess we had better go pack too" Tohru grinned at Yuki who simply nodded as he followed her in.
*********************************************************
Back in Akito's room Hatori was packing his bag.
"You and Kureno will follow me back? Hatori asked.
"Of course" Akito replied, "Do I sense some bitterness in that tone Hatori?" he asked, "You don't approve of me coming up here do you" he smiled slightly.
"It's not that Akito. It's just I thought that you were ill. That's all."
"I see. I'll see you at the main house. Hatori."
**********************************************************
Kyo packed up the car as Tohru handed him her bags. She meanwhile said goodbye to Kisa.
"Have a safe trip back Kisa" she replied.
"You too Sissy" Kisa smiled.
"Good bye Hiro" Tohru called to the young boy who was climbing in the back of the car.
"See ya," he said as his head disappeared.
Yuki came out with another bag, which he handed to Kyo.
"Damn what do you got in here rocks!" Kyo replied.
"It's Miss Honda's presents stupid cat. She asked if I could carry some of them," Yuki said.
"Whatever" Kyo replied as he placed it into the trunk.
Yuki walked over to Tohru.
"I guess I'll go say goodbye to Akito" Yuki replied as he turned away once more walking toward Akito's quarters.
"Hmm?" Tohru watched him leave.
"I guess that's everything" Kyo replied slamming the trunk down, "Oh yea. The cat. I'll go get her."
"No need to Kyo. Look" she pointed.
"Ahh."
Kyoko had once again jumped onto his shoulders and was rubbing his face.
"She really is attached to you Kyo," she laughed.
"They all are" he sighed, "I'll put her in her crate. You should go check and see if there is anything you left behind."
"Okay."
"Well goodbye everyone" Ayame appeared dramatically.
"Oh goodbye Ayame."
"It was so good seeing you again Tohru. And you too Lucky Kyo."
"Don't call me that!"
"And where's my little brother? I wanted to say goodbye to him."
"Oh Yuki's in with Akito" she answered.
"Oh I see" he replied sadly, "Well then" he cheered up as Shigure came out, "I guess we'll be on our way! Goodbye Shigure!"
"Goodbye Aya. I'll see you soon."
"Oh you'd better believe it" Ayame winked.
**********************************************************
"I have to go now Akito" Hatori replied picking up his bag just as Yuki came in.
"Yuki" Akito said with a smile, "Come on in."
********************************************************
"Thanks for everything Ritsu" Tohru replied as he came out to say goodbye.
"Oh you're welcome. I'm only sorry my mother couldn't be here. She's feeling very under the weather today" he smiled.
"That's all right. Oh Yuki you ready to go?" she asked as he approached the car.
"Mhm."
"Good. I'm just gonna make sure I got everything" she ran back into the building.
"Okay" he nodded.
********************************************************
Tohru looked all over the bedroom and saw that it was clear.
"Oh I know. There's some of Kyoko's stuff in the party room. I'd better go get that," she said to herself.
Sure enough in the corner were her kitten's food dishes. She quickly scooped them up and was about to leave the room when she suddenly dropped them. Akito was standing in the doorway once more.
"Akito?"
He looked at her with a dark look on his face.
"I want to know something."
"Yes?" she slowly nodded.
"Have you been doing as I asked. Staying out of the way?"
"Hmm?"
"Last summer. I asked you not to interfere with the Sohma family. Have you been complying."
"Uh huh" she nodded.
"I don't see it that way. This party was an interference."
"But Akito. I didn't know about this party. It was a complete surprise to me too."
"I suppose that's true" he replied cynically, "Still interference is now coming from another. A friend of yours."
"Friend of mine?"
"What do you know? About my Kureno and that friend of yours? What is their relationship?"
"About Kureno and Uo?"
"What do you know?" he asked much louder.
She sighed.
"To be honest Akito. I don't know much. Uo hasn't told me a lot."
"Are you lying to me? Tell me the truth and I won't be angry."
"Honestly. I don't know anything."
"Then I have all I need" he turned back around.
"Akito!" she called.
He turned his head slightly and looked at her.
"I have to ask. Why did you come up here?"
Yuki appeared at that moment from another door and stopped dead in his tracks.
"Uh" he said.
"Why? Because I can. Ask the real question."
"Huh?" she looked up.
"Don't bore me with beating around the bush."
"Why did you" she started to say.
"Kiss your hand" he turned completely around to face her.
"She nodded.
Because I wanted to" he said simply with a smile then turned back around, "Have a safe trip back Miss Honda" he replied as he left the room, leaving her there with a stunned look on her face.
Over in the corner Yuki clenched his fist and stared angrily.
"Why?" he thought to himself, "Why is he doing this?"
**********************************************************
Authors Note: Hello Everyone! As Momiji would say! One more chapter to go till the end of Book Two. See you tonight!
Next Chapter: Phone Call
Tohru and the Sohmas return home after a very weird vacation. Tohru receives a call from a very unlikely person. Find out whom?