Book Sixteen: The Legend of the Zodiac Curse
Chapter One: College Boy Comes Home
He got off the bus and placed his bag at his side as the sun hit his sunglasses. He gazed at his surroundings and sighed contently not fully believing that it had been almost a full year since he had been back. He smiled slightly as he shouldered his bag and headed in the direction of home.
(Next Scene)
Tohru walked happily into the house that afternoon with some shopping bags in her hand. She had gotten off of work early. Kyoko was waiting patiently by the door for her. She smiled as she patted her head and then the two of them went into the kitchen. On the counter was a note from Shigure informing her that he was in town and would be home in time for dinner. She nodded her head to herself and opened up her cookbook determined to find a good recipe for the evening.
He walked up the pathway and stopped at the door, removing his glasses in the process. Then he quietly opened the door and placed his bag down. He walked into the hallway and heard her murmuring in the kitchen and smiled as he made his way in. Kyoko's ears perked up as he leaned on the doorpost watching her concentrate, smiling fully.
"Let's see" she replied, "This one looks good. But this one does too. Oh I can't decide."
"I'm sure whatever one you decide to make Miss Honda" he said behind her, "It will be the right one."
Tohru quite surprised turned around and saw Yuki smiling back at her. She rushed forward with a grin of her own.
"Yuki?" she exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm in town for a visit" he said simply as they embraced.
"But why didn't you call and let us know?"
"I wanted to surprise everyone."
"Well this is a wonderful surprise" she smiled, "Come on in" she led him into the sitting room by taking his arm, "I'll make us some tea."
"Sure" he nodded, "But don't go to too much trouble."
"Nonsense" she shook her head, "I haven't seen you for practically a whole year."
He nodded and sat down at the old familiar sitting table. He gazed around the room as Tohru came back in with two cups of tea. She sat down and they both took a sip. Then she placed her cup down.
"So are you in town for awhile?" she asked.
"Mhm. For about two weeks. Maybe longer. I haven't decided. You see I have a project to do also that has to do with family. That's one of the reasons that I am here."
"Are you enjoying school?" she said.
"Miss Honda" he grinned, "You know I am. I write you almost every month."
"I know. But I want to hear it from you."
"Well, I really am enjoying school. It's very different compared to here. I've made a lot of friends. We hang out quite a bit."
"Hang out?"
"Mhm. When I'm not studying we go down to the rec room. I've learned all sorts of games like darts, pool, you name it."
"I'll bet you're good at all of them."
"Well I wasn't at first" he grinned blushing a little, "But I got better at it. I like my roommates too, because not only do they like to have fun, but they're serious about their studies."
"That's good."
"So tell Miss Honda," he replied after taking another sip of tea, "What's been going on around here?"
"Not much to be honest. Kyo and I have been working."
"How's that working out for you?"
"Oh I really like it" she smiled, "Momiji's father is one of the best bosses. But he's going out of town at the end of this week, so he gave me some time off. I also got to come home early today."
"That's great. So you really like it?"
"Mhm" she nodded, "It's a lot of fun and interesting too. I get to meet all sorts of people."
"That's good. I'm glad to hear it. I was kind of surprised to see that you were here though."
"Hmm? How come?"
"I thought that you and Kyo would have moved out by now. After all I haven't talked to you in over two months. I'm sorry about that I've been very busy with finals and all."
"Oh that's all right. In regards to that, actually Kyo and I have been searching for apartments just recently."
"How come just recently?"
"Well Shigure has a girlfriend now. He's been spending time with her for practically six months. So Kyo and I thought it would be best if we found our own place. We've saved up and we have enough. The only problem is finding a place right now."
"You'll find one" Yuki reassured her, "Do you still keep in contact with the rest of the family?"
"Mhm. You know Hatsuharu and Momiji will be graduating in about three weeks."
"I know. I got Haru's letter telling me all about it. That's why I might stay a little bit longer. Miss Honda what do you hear about Miss Ward?" he asked frowning a little.
"Mmm" she said sadly, "I haven't heard anything to be honest. Rebecca hasn't heard from her either."
"But it's been a year."
"I know. Whatever it was that took her back there must have been really important."
"And Akito?" Yuki added.
Tohru raised her eyes slowly from the table and shook her head.
"From what Shigure tells me, he's getting worse."
"I know. Haru told me that too. Is he really that bad off?"
"Mhm" she nodded, "I heard that he doesn't even leave his room anymore and the last time Hatori was over Shigure, Ayame and he discussed the possibility that it's gonna only be a matter of time until he passes on."
"I was afraid of that" Yuki nodded sadly, "Actually that's the other reason I came here."
"The other reason?"
"Miss Honda would you be willing to help me?"
"Sure Yuki" she nodded, "In what?"
Before Yuki could respond they both heard the front door open and saw Kyoko dash to it.
"I'm home!" Kyo called as he took off his shoes and patted Kyoko's head, "Tohru!"
"In here Kyo!" Tohru called back.
Kyo entered into the sitting room.
"What are you doing in here?" he asked, "I thought you would be making dinner? Hey" he stopped when he saw whom she was sitting with.
"Hello stupid cat" Yuki grinned, "It's been awhile."
"Damn rat? What are you doing here?"
"I'm in town for a visit and I just stopped by here."
"Not just stop by" Tohru spoke up, "You have to stay here. Yuki your room isn't occupied or anything you know."
"Are you serious?"
"Yea she's serious" Kyo replied, "I'm still in my room. Your room hasn't even been touched."
"Well in that case, do you think that Shigure would mind?" Yuki said.
"I doubt it" Tohru replied, "He'll probably be thrilled more than anything."
"Then I'll stay" Yuki consented.
"Great."
"Well I got to go take a bath" Kyo said with a small yawn, "I sweated up a storm at the dojo today."
"And I'll go start dinner?" Tohru replied standing up, "Do you need anything else Yuki?" she asked as Kyo departed the room, "Before I do?"
"Oh no thank you Miss Honda" he shook his head, "I'm okay."
"Okay. Oh wait there was something you wanted to ask me right?"
"It can wait. Till later Miss Honda."
"Okay. Are you sure?"
"Mhm" he nodded, "I'm very sure."
"All right then" she smiled and left the room to start dinner.
Yuki sighed and leaned into his right palm. Then he gazed sadly outside as some birds landed in the yard.
"I hope I know what I am doing?" he thought to himself, "It's a large task and maybe Iwon't have the outcome that I hope."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys! I'm back after a week of break from writing. The truth is I was stumped on how to continue this particular book since I came up with the idea months ago so I had to go back into my brain and remember all the details. Here's the first chapter! Expect the second one some time tonight! Oh by the way to the reader who corrected me on the peach blossom really being cherry blossom thing, thank you but I do know that. I am going to use that as a discussion in this last book, but thank you for your input. On to the next chapter!
Next Chapter: Making Decisions
Yuki comes out and asks something of Tohru that she has been dreaming about doing since she heard of the curse in the first place. Also Kyo is trying to make a decision himself. One that could change his and Tohru's lives forever. See what happens next time on Rice-Balls in a Fruits Basket!
