(Chapter Six: Kazu Oversteps his Bounds)

The next two months went by very fast. The movie was already halfway done and Tom and Kentaro were quite pleased with the way things had gone thus far. In fact they only had one more month of shooting left and then the movie would have to go into editing. Tohru, Kandis, and all the other cast members were kept quite busy. Through all the shooting Tohru had met her other co-stars and had become friends with them quite fast. There was Manabu and Madoka, boy and a girl twins who played the rabbit, Mito and the tiger, Kin. They were both roughly around Kisa and Hiro's age, and they both sported freckles and bright smiles. There was also then stubborn Mitsuo who played the sheep Hajime. And then there was Hideki and Kaori. Kaori was the young actress chosen to play the cow of the zodiac. She was very fascinated with books and brought a ton of them to the set everyday to show Kandis and Tohru. Hideki was the young actor picked to play the boar, and just like his animal he had a short temper. He would blow up at practically any guy who got into his way, but he was kind and courteous to all the females on the set. Naoko, Hideki's half sister was playing the horse. Like her character however she was the complete opposite. The horse, Rika in the story was quiet and aloof. Naoko was loud and boisterous and loved to be the center of attention. The adults who played Hayoto the dragon, and Shojiro the dog, mainly kept to themselves playing cards when they had a break from shooting. Both gentleman were very intelligent and Tohru discovered that Kata, and Gyukudo, were not much different then the characters that they portrayed. Kata was the one often cracking jokes like Shigure, while Gyukudo was serious by nature and just smiled along much like Hatori. The last person that Tohru met was Sakutaro who played the monkey. He was a constant funny boy on the set just like his character. Rebecca played Ayako the beautiful girl who transformed into the sly snake and as Matt had told Tohru previously he played Kyuwa the rooster. Tohru felt that each person she met reflected a lot of the characters that she saw in the Sohma family, but that they were all different in their own way as well.

At the end of the week Tohru found out that the final member of the zodiac curse actors would be arriving. His name was Tatsuya Hiraki a well-known character actor in Japan. He was to take on the undountable task of playing Akihiko the head of the Sakamoto family. Tohru wondered out of all people what he would be like. She, Rebecca and Kandis had been discussing it in her trailer all afternoon.

"Maybe he will be tall? Rebecca suggested, "He has to be a little tall to play this certain character" she replied as she looked at the script.

"Yea" Kandis said, "But he should also have really dark hair, I mean he is the central creepy figure of the film. Right Tohru?""

Tohru nodded her head absently as she thought of the real head of the zodiac family, Akito. Would this guy Tatsuya be so like him that it would be hard for her to concentrate on working at all? To stop her mind from thinking such things she turned to Rebecca and spotted her purse. With a smile she asked her.

"Is that a monkey on your purse?"

Rebecca looked down at it and smiled back.

"Yep" she nodded, "It sure is. I just love monkeys. All kinds. When I was growing up we had a pet one for a while."

"She isn't kidding when she says that she loves them" Kandis beamed, "I mean she collects them. She has them everywhere."

"I really do" Rebecca nodded, "Say there's a monkey in the Chinese zodiac isn't there?"

"Yes" Tohru nodded, "There is?"

Before Rebecca could ask another question Jill stuck her head through the door.

"Okay girls! It's time."

"We're coming Jill!" Kandis replied standing up with Tohru and Rebecca right behind her, "Your scene is this afternoon isn't Bec?"

"Yep" Rebecca nodded, "Today Tora Hirota meets Ayako Sakamoto."

(Next Scene)

Everyone gathered onto the set and Tohru and Eichi took their places in the woods where they were to meet Ayako, the snake of the zodiac. In the audience Momiji, Yuki, and Kyo watched like they had all afternoon. As Aiku came onto the set, Kyo moved uncomfortably in his chair, remembering the words that Matt had told him months before. The strange thing of the matter was, Aiku hadn't tried anything. Not one thing in two months. Kyo began to wonder if maybe Matt had overreacted. Perhaps the guy really didn't go after girls who had boyfriends all ready. Well he could hope. Meanwhile in the scene Yosai and Tora had just met Ayako and she had been dragged back to the house where she confronted her brother Kazu. Now here was a twist. Instead of the snake being a man and the rat's brother. He was a she and the cat's sister. Yuki thought to himself that maybe he had overreacted to Shigure as well with his accusations. But something about the script still bothered him. When the scene was over Yuki and Momiji walked over to Tohru to say goodbye. They both had to get back. Kyo was remaining behind, just in case Kazu did try something.

(Next Scene)

Shigure was reading his paper and drinking a cup of tea when someone knocked on the door. He got up and was surprised when Hatori entered the room.

"Hari?"

"The door was unlocked so I let myself in" Hatori replied.

"Well how nice" Shigure grinned, "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I just came by to see if you were following the advice I gave you last time."

"Advice?" Shigure said as he sat down, "Oh you mean about Akito?"

"No Shigure" Hatori shook his head, "About you. I don't want you to involve Tohru Honda any more in your schemes."

"Oh Hari you worry too much."

"I mean it Shigure" Hatori replied in a much firmer tone.

"All right. All right" Shigure agreed, "I won't. Would you like some tea?" he said standing up.

"Yes. Thank you" Hatori bowed his head as he exited the room to the kitchen.

He gazed around the room until his eyes fell upon a stack of paper in a purple folder. He glanced at the title on top and picked it up, opening it to read. After scanning a couple of the lines, Shigure came back into the room with his tea.

"Shigure what's this?" he asked sternly.

"Oh that? That's Tohru script."

"Her what?"

"Her movie script" Shigure sat down.

"Zodiac curse the movie?" Hatori's eyebrows rose.

"Yes that's right. It's really quite fascinating. Tohru is actually playing herself" he smiled as he chuckled a little.

"I don't understand. How would someone come up with something like this?" then he saw Shigure as he sipped his tea raise his eyes slightly, "Shigure."

"What?"

"Did you have something to do with this?"

"Moi. Certainly not."

"Shigure."

"All right Hari don't get your pants in a twist. The kids were having some trouble a few months back when Tohru was doing her first movie, with this man named Tom Quincy. He was obsessed with the Chinese zodiac. In fact he knew some of the older stories. But he was also a gifted screen writer so I decided to help the kids out in my own way."

"And that was?"

"He loved writing scripts so I told him to turn his obsession into the other thing he loved" Shigure sipped some more tea.

"You told him to write a script based on the Chinese zodiac?"

"He already had the idea I just gave him some story lines."

"Shigure do you realize the severity of what you have done?"

"Oh come now Hatori it's all in good fun. Besides who's ever going to know?"

"I have to wonder."

"Wonder what? Speaking of wondering" Shigure interrupted himself, "You still haven't told me what happened on your date with Mayuko?"

"It's not really that important" Hatori's cheeks turned a little red.

"Come on Hari" Shigure whined, "I'm dying to know. Please tell me."

"All right. If it will stop you from bothering me. Well I went to the bookstore and I asked her out. I picked her up at the store and we went to dinner."

"That's it? No, no, no. You have to give me more details. I mean did you both enjoy yourselves? Where did you go to dinner?"

"Shigure" Hatori sighed, "It was a nice dinner all right. I am glad that you talked me into it. That's it."

"All right. You can get away with it now" Shigure shrugged, "But when Aya asks you know he'll be relentless."

"Getting back to the subject at hand, Shigure what I was saying before, I wonder if you are using this movie as a way of finding your information."

Shigure and Hatori continued to discuss the situation as a figure listened in. The shadow disappeared down the pathway and headed toward the city, her long dark hair flowing behind her.

(Next Scene)

Eichi walked over to Aiku who was doing some stretching on the side of the trailers.

"What do you want Eichi?" Aiku frowned at him.

"What's the matter Aiku? Not happy to see me?" he sneered at him.

"Don't think I don't know what you have been doing the past few months?"

"What are you talking about?" he replied innocently.

"You're doing everything you can to make sure I lose this bet. Talking to her. Becoming closer to her, making it harder for me to make my move."

"I don't know what you're saying" Eichi smirked starting to walk away, but Aiku grabbed his arm.

"Play by the rules Eichi" he warned, "Or don't play at all."

"What are you so worried about? A little competition. If you want to make your move Aiku, what do you say about upping the bet?"

"How so?"

"Well you had until the movie premiere. I bet you can't get her to fall in love with you by the time shooting ends, and that's in four weeks. Good luck lover boy."

"I'll take that bet, and you're going to be sorry" Aiku trudged away from him.

(Next Scene)

That evening Tohru was the last one to come out of her trailer. Yuki who had returned and Kyo were both talking to Matt a few of the other male cast members while they waited. Aiku figured that now was as good as time as any. He laid a small brick on the ground in her path, so that when the right time came she would trip, and be putty in his hands. She came out of her trailer and started walking to the set to meet Kyo and Yuki.

"Tohru" he called as he ran over.

"Oh hello Aiku. You're still here?"

"Yea. You too?"

"I was on my way to meet Kyo and Yuki.

Oh. Well let me walk you. Oh shoot actually if you hold on a second I have something I have to get out of my trailer."

"Sure" she nodded as he led her in the opposite direction.

He walked into his trailer and asked her to wait outside. Then he came back out with his coat.

"Ready to go" he replied.

"Okay" Tohru said after with a smile but as they walked she tripped over the brick, "Oh dear" she rubbed her ankle.

"Are you okay?" he asked her as he ran over.

"I think I scraped it."

"Well you are bleeding a little. Hey I got some peroxide and bandages in my trailer, why don't you come with me and I'll get you wrapped up."

"Okay" she nodded uncertainly.

"Can you stand?"

"I think so."

"Good" he smiled, but he thought, "This is why they call me the master Eichi. Tonight I will steal my first kiss from her."

He led her back into the trailer and she sat down on a stool while he fetched the bandages. He came back out and began to clean up the wound.

"I'm so sorry" she replied, "I really am quite clumsy."

"Oh no it's okay. I don't mind" he looked up into her brown eyes, "Has anyone ever told you what beautiful eyes you have?"

"What?" she asked a bit confused.

"It's a simple question. I mean even your boyfriend hasn't?"

"Well Kyo always says I'm beautiful in every way."

"Oh" Aiku thought, "He's one of those. This maybe a little harder than I thought."

"Of course" Tohru continued, "I don't consider myself that way. I mean I'm very plain."

"How are you plain?"

"Well I am. I'm very plain. Normal I guess. Naïve in a lot of ways too. You really are too kind Aiku I can't thank you enough."

"Oh no really it's no big deal" he said a little guilty, "Get back to the goal idiot" he thought, "Tohru."

"Hmm?"

"Can I ask you a simple question?"

"Sure."

"If you weren't with Kyo what sort of guy would you be interested in?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well I know if you were my girl I would treat you like a princess. Give you everything you ever wanted. I mean you're gonna be a big star when this movie comes out."

"I don't think so" she shook her head.

"You're gonna. I believe that. And when that happens, your normal life will be different."

Tohru stood up.

"Well I suppose it will be a little different. But I am used to chaos. Thank you very much for everything Aiku. I really have to get going."

"One more thing" he stood up, "I have something for you."

"What?"

He pulled her in close and began kissing her, she tried to pull away. But the harder she pulled the harder he held on. Just as the tears began to form in her eyes a hand reached onto Aiku's back and flung him away from Tohru. Aiku looked up and saw the angry looking girl standing in front of Tohru.

"Is that the way you actors handle girls?" Rin asked.

"Who the hell?" he started to say but stared in awe at her beauty, "Are you?"

"Who I am is no concern of yours pretty boy. All I'm gonna say is this. If you ever think about laying another hand on her, you'll have me to deal with" she took him by the collar, "Do I make myself perfectly clear jerk?"

"Yes" he nodded his head fervently as he pulled away, "Yes mam. Perfectly."

"Come on Tohru let's go" Rin replied as she took her hand, "Remember I'll be watching you" she turned her head back and looked at him before they departed.

"Whoa" he thought, "Scary."

(Next Scene)

Rin dragged Tohru closer to her trailer. When they stopped Tohru stared at her confused.

"Rin what are you doing here?" she asked.

"You're lucky I came here. That creep would have molested you. What were you thinking going into that trailer with him?"

"He offered to help me because I got hurt" Tohru replied, "I thought he was my friend" the tears began once more.

"Now don't cry about it" Rin said, "You don't want Kyo to see you like that."

"What do you mean?"

"I think it would be best that you didn't tell Kyo just yet what happened tonight. Besides that jerk will never mention it. And he'll be too scared to try anything else."

"But Rin you still haven't told me what you're doing here? Why did you help me?"

"Call it payback."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. Don't let anyone know I was here. I'll see you later Honda."

"Thank you!" Tohru called as she took off.

"Right" Rin waved behind her and Tohru smiled, catching a glimpse for the first time a heroin in the beautiful, mysterious girl.

(Next Scene)

Eichi walked over to Aiku's trailer and knocked on the door. Aiku came out and handed him the money.

"You win."

"What?" Eichi looked at the money confused.

"Bets off."

"What do you mean? You're serious? What happened?"

"Oh yea. I'm serious" Aiku replied, "I thought her boyfriend would be the problem but it turns out that Tohru Honda had friends that are even scarier."

"But you never lose a bet."

"There's a first time for everything Eichi" Aiku said, "Come on let's get a drink. I'm buying."

Eichi scratched his head as the two of them walked out of the soundstage, Aiku glancing briefly at Tohru as she joined up with Yuki and Kyo.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Whew!! Finally finished it. This chapter gave me a lot of trouble because I wasn't sure how it was going to turn out, but I really am happy with it now. I like the idea of Rin coming to her rescue. She is a character we rarely get to see in the manga and I find her mysterious beauty absolutely fascinating. Also I hope you enjoyed a little more insight to the characters in the movie. I switched the genders of the cow and boar, because in reality who ever heard of a boy cow. I don't think people who see the movie would buy it. Not that I would change Hatsuharu in any way. I mean who would?

Just a quick note to you all. Now that I work full time I have decided to continue making sure that you have four chapters a week, however I will probably break them up. So from now on you will either get one a day, or two a day depending on my schedule. Tomorrow I plan on writing at least one. So see you then!!!

Next Chapters:

Chapter Seven: A Talk with the Master

Another quiet moment for Kazuma and Kyo, where both of them reveal certain feelings that they have. Also shooting ends, and editing begins!

And

Chapter Eight: The Premiere

With the movie all finished, Tohru and the Sohmas have been invited to the big premiere. What will happen there? Find out next time!!