As they were leaving Tohru's grandmother embraced Kyo tightly. They had told them just twenty minutes earlier about their engagement. Mr. Miyoshi shook Kyo's hand once more.
"Be sure to tell us when the big day is."
"You can count on it sir" Kyo replied, "When we pick a date you guys will be the first to know."
Then he and Tohru departed as Tohru's grandfather placed his arm around his wife.
"Oh Kouske" she said, "I am so happy that Tohru found such a nice young man such as him."
"Mhm" he nodded proudly, "I agree with you completely Serika. She is as lucky as I was when I found you."
She embraced him tight and then the two of them walked back into the house talking about when they were young.
(Next Scene)
Tohru and Kyo walked up the pathway hand in hand, the ring sparkling in the moonlight.
"Well the lights are on" Kyo said, "It looks like they are still awake."
"Yes" Tohru nodded, "Let's go tell them."
"Okay" he agreed opening the door.
Both of them walked into the sitting room where they found both Yuki and Shigure immersed in their reading materials, as they had been earlier. They both looked up as they entered the room, Kyo with his arm around Tohru lovingly.
"Hello you two" Shigure grinned, "Welcome back. Did you have fun?"
"Oh yes" Tohru nodded, "We had a wonderful day. How was your day you guys?"
"Uneventful Miss Honda" Yuki replied simply, "By the way I couldn't help but notice the sparkle on your finger."
"Huh?" Shigure looked over, "Is that?"
"Well since you both are so nosy" Kyo said, "Yes. I asked Tohru to marry me tonight and she said yes."
"Really?" Shigure stood up excitedly the paper falling from his hands.
"Yes" Tohru nodded, "He did. And this is the ring he gave me" she held out her left hand.
Shigure came over and took her hand happily and looked at the ring.
"Oh Tohru" he said the tears welling in his eyes, "It's beautiful. Congratulations" he embraced her, "And may I be the first one to say welcome to the family."
"Not yet Shigure" Kyo grumbled as Yuki came over and congratulated them both as well.
"It is a beautiful ring Miss Honda" Yuki replied smiling, "About time you stupid cat. Shigure and I were just talking about this tonight. He knew that you were looking for apartments."
"You did?" Tohru and Kyo looked at him surprised.
"Of course" Shigure nodded, "I mean it was quite obvious from the papers I found around here with apartment listings on them."
"Hey" Kyo said, "I thought I threw most of them in the trash. Shigure."
"Oh come on Kyo" he grinned, "Now is not the time for petty squabbles. It's a time for celebrating. I think I have some sake left over. Let's celebrate."
Kyo smiled and then Yuki fetched the bottle. They celebrated for about an hour, Tohru preferring a cup of tea to the alcohol and then they all went to bed.
(Next Scene)
Up in her bed Tohru tossed and turned a bit. Finally she sat straight up.
"That was a weird dream," she thought, "I wonder what it meant. I better go get some warm milk to help me sleep," she said out loud climbing out from under the covers.
She walked downstairs and into the kitchen. As she prepared her drink she heard some footsteps behind her. She turned around and saw Yuki standing in the sitting room doorway entrance.
"Yuki?" she said surprised, "What are you doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep" he replied, "I had another weird dream."
"Oh really. Me too."
"What was yours about Miss Honda?" he asked.
"You know what" she said looking up realizing, "I can't remember. Anyway I came down to get myself some warm milk. Would you like some Yuki?"
"Sure" he nodded appreciatively.
She made the milk and then the two of them sat down at the sitting table. Yuki took a sip from his cup and then sighed heavily.
"What's wrong Yuki?" Tohru replied, "It seems that something has been bothering you all evening."
"I guess it's that obvious" he nodded, "To tell you the truth Miss Honda, when I said earlier this evening that nothing interesting happened at the main house today, I wasn't being totally honest with you. Something did happen."
"What is it?"
"I suppose I should start at the beginning. As soon as you and Kyo left Shigure and I left for the main house together. I went to my mother's and Shigure went to Hatori's house. Neither one of us, knew what was coming."
(Flashback To Earlier in the Day)
Kureno walked along the hallways of Sohma house carrying another tray of food for Akito. He sighed sadly as he arrived at the door and knocked.
"Master Akito" he called, "I've got some breakfast for you!"
When no answer cameKureno entered the room and entered in. The entire room was in complete darkness. He could barely see the lump in the bed that was Akito.
"Master Akito" Kureno said quietly, "Breakfast."
But Akito didn't answer so Kureno placed the tray down on the table next to his bed. He picked up the one with the food that he hadn't touched the night before. Then he walked sadly away from the bed and back out the door. Lying on his side Akito stared at the wall his blue eyes in a very still position, showing hardly any life in them at all.
Kureno bent his head as he leaned against the door with the tray in his hands. Hatori walked over as he came up.
"He still hasn't eaten anything?" Hatori asked.
"No" Kureno shook his head, "He hasn't touched a thing. I don't know what to do anymore Hatori. I'm scared."
"It's okay Kureno" Hatori replied placing a hand on his shoulder, "It's all right."
"No it's not" Kureno shook his head angrily, "Don't pretend that it is. This is hard for me. He's slipping away and there's nothing I can do. I promised. I promised him I'd look after him. I can't just let him die."
"Kureno" Hatori started to say but Kureno brushed his hand away.
"Please. Don't" he walked down the hall and left Hatori alone.
Kureno walked slowly down the hallway and handed the tray to a nearby servant as he passed. He walked towards the main door and gazed outside in front of him. But what he saw made him frown immediately as he saw the main gate lay open and in front of it was a woman getting out of a taxi cab. She paid the driver, picked up her bag and began to walk towards the main house. She dropped her bag as he placed his hands in his pockets, staring at her angrily. She removed her glasses, her long dark hair flowing behind her. She was older than he by far, but she looked younger than most women her age. She smiled, her red lips glistening as she approached him.
"Hello Kureno" she said, "It's good to see you again."
"Ren" he whispered into the wind angrily, "What are you doing here?"
"Now is that anyway to greet someone" Ren said, "And as usual you are being very rude to me when I am someone you should respect."
"Whatever you say," he replied angrily, "Again what are you doing here?"
"Well if you must know, I have come to see my boy."
Kureno's eyes became wide as his hatred for the woman seeped throughout him. She moved forward towards the steps his was on.
"I heard that he was very ill from someone, so I caught the soonest plane that I could. And here I am."
"He's been ill for almost a year, and now you show up?" he replied even more angrier at her audacity.
"I do have a life besides that son of mine you know" she said, "As always Kureno you are ever the obstinate young man. You haven't changed at all. What would your father think about this?"
"I think you'd better leave my father out of this," he snarled.
"And I think you'd better let me pass so I can see my son."
"I can't let you" he started to say but Hatori appeared behind him, "Hatori?"
"Let her go Kureno" he replied gently squeezing his shoulder, "It is her son after all."
"Thank you Hatori," she said with a smile, "As usual you are the more cordial one" she picked up her bag, "I will go see him now."
"That's fine" Hatori replied as she moved past, "But make your visit brief. As his doctor I can tell you that he is not doing well and I don't want you to upset him."
"Fine" she said with pursed lips as she walked past Kureno who still was quite angry, clenching his fists at his side.
He turned to Hatori and stared at him angrily.
"How could you let her go in there? You know what she will do?"
"Kureno" Hatori replied, "I don't like it anymore than you do that she is here, but it is her son. And Father would not want us to behave like this, you know that."
"I know but he wanted me to protect him. To protect him from everything especially her. I promised on his deathbed that I would. Just like you did."
"Yes" Hatori nodded, "But we owe her respect even if she doesn't deserve it."
"How can you be so calm about this? How can you? After everything she did? She hasn't been here in fifteen years, and you let her back in so easily."
"I didn't have a choice. Saiyuri was the one who told her."
"I figured it was her. They both have the same nasty thinking."
"Kureno. She is here for a while. Control your anger. Do it for Akito's sake. I won'tallowher to hurt him again. I promise."
"I promise the same thing" Kureno replied taking his hand, "We've kept the secret for so long Hatori, from him, from others, when are we gonna have the courage to finally tell them?"
"Father wanted it this way Kureno. He wanted it this way remember?"
Kureno nodded as Hatori once more placed his hand on his shoulder.
"He would want you to be patient."
"I'm afraid I am not as patient as you are Hatori" Kureno said.
"Am I interrupting anything?" Shigure asked as he arrived.
"Just a little bit of family matters Shigure" Hatori said as Kureno walked back inside.
"Hmm? Family matters? That hasn't come up in awhile."
"Well it has now" Hatori replied seriously, "Let's go back to my house and talk."
(Next Scene)
"Shigure told me that when he arrived at the house that Kureno and Hatori had been talking about a certain someone that I was to meet later that same day" Yuki explained, "And believe me I was probably just as shocked as they were."
(Flashback)
Yuki sat on the flower printed couch in his mother's den as she sat across from him. He had told her all that had been happening at school as she frowned a little. Suddenly the doorbell rang and Saiyuri stood up to answer it. On the other side was a woman who she immediately hugged. Yuki stood up as the woman was led into the room, not believing his eyes. His mouth hung a little open as Ren Sohma stared back at him.
"Well" Ren replied, "Look at you. Saiyuri he's certainly grown up. He's definitely a lot older than the last time I saw him. Hello Yuki"
"What's wrong with you" Saiyuri said angrily to Yuki who had still not said anything, "Say hello to your aunt."
"Oh" Yuki realized, "I'm sorry. Hello Aunt Ren" he bowed his head, "It's nice to see you again."
"Yes indeed. It's good to be back" she flung her coat on the couch and sat down, "Of course I didn't really get a wonderful reception at the main house. Kureno is still the rudest boy. He always has been a bad apple."
"I'll say" Saiyuri nodded as she sat down next to her, "Hatori was always the more respectable one. Kureno never had any manners. And is way too protective of Akito. Were you able to see him sister?"
"No" Ren shook her head, "He was asleep, and so Hatori told me to come back later. So Yuki" she turned to her nephew.
"Yes mam" he nodded a bit wary.
"You really have grown up into quite the handsome young man. I'm sure you have lots of girls who fawn over you."
"Uh well" Yuki stuttered a little, "I wouldn't say lots. But I have had my share."
"I imagine" she turned back to Saiyuri telling her about her trip.
Yuki sat in silence not really sure what to do. All he could do was sip his tea silently while she complained about the plane and the passengers, wishing he could be anywhere else at the moment.
(Next Scene)
"You mean you and Akito are first cousins?" Tohru asked Yuki as Shigure who was up as well joined them.
"Yes" Yuki nodded, "That's why my mother thought I would be the perfect child to have at his side, when we were younger. After awhile I left telling my mother I had to be somewhere, but to tell you the truth I just wanted to get out of there. She really is the most uncomfortable person to be around Ren Sohma."
"Indeed" Shigure said with a nod of his head, "No one in the family likes her very much except for her siblings. I too ran into her this afternoon."
"When was that Shigure?" Yuki asked him.
"Hmm? Let's see it was just after I had spoken to Hatori. You see Tohru, you probably are a bit confused why Ren in Yuki's story referred to Hatori and Kureno a lot right?" he said turning to her.
"Well yes I was a bit curious," she agreed.
"All right I will tell you. This is something that not many people in the Sohma family know about. But to start properly I should start back during my conversation with Hatori this afternoon."
(Flashback)
Shigure lit his cigarette and blew out some smoke as Hatori told him about the earlier conversation with Kureno.
"So" Shigure said slowly, "Ren Sohma is back in town. I was wondering if she was going to show up."
"Yes" Hatori nodded, "Saiyuri called her about Akito's illness. She arrived this afternoon and of course Kureno is very angry about this."
"You can hardly blame him Hari" Shigure replied, "After all Akito is very important to you both. And after what she pulled fifteen years ago he's bound to still carry scars from that."
"I don't want her here either to tell you the truth" Hatori said with a sigh, "But what else can I do. She is Akito's mother after all."
"And it wouldn't do you and your younger brother any good to treat your stepmother with such disrespect right?"
"Exactly" Hatori nodded, "Neither one of us liked that woman when father brought her home. And in time after he married her, he realized for himself just how cruel she was. Especially after Akito was born. That's why before he died he asked us to take care of Akito. To protect him even from her, if we had to. Which Kureno is determined to do. He is closer to our half brother than I am, so it's natural. He was so happy the day that Akito was born. He liked having alittle brother but more than anything I think he wanted to be a big brother himself. That was the only good thing that came out of their marriage. Akito. That's why he is so precious to him."
"And to you too right Hari?" Shigure looked at his friend, "He is your younger half brother as well."
"Yes" Hatori agreed, "He is very important to me too. But not in the same way. Kureno is definitely closer to him than I am. Even though I am his physician Kureno knows more about him than I do. Don't get me wrong I am not envious. I am happy for their relationship. Akito needs Kureno as much as Kureno needs him."
"Well with Ren back in town" Shigure replied, "Things will certainly be interesting around here. I got to go now Hari. I know whatever the outcome you and Kureno will work your way through it" he stood up.
"Thanks Shigure" Hatori smiled walking him to the door, "It feels good to sometimes talk these things out with you."
"That's what Aya and I are here for" Shigure grinned, "After all we are your friends and are some of the few people who know about all this. See ya later!" he waved as he walked out the door.
"Good bye" Hatori waved back.
Shigure walked towards the main gate and was about to exit when Ren Sohma stopped him. She was standing at the top of the stairs and her eyes flashed happily when she saw him.
"Shigure Sohma" she said, "Well look at you. You're all grown up."
"Yes" he nodded faking a smile, "I heard you were back in town from Hatori."
"Oh" she replied playfully walking down the steps, "I can't believe it's been fifteen years. The last time I saw you, you were still in High School. And now look at you. You're a man now" she touched his arm.
"Yes I am" he removed his arm from her grip, "And still a bit too young for you I'm afraid" he grinned sarcastically, "Good to see you again" he replied as he moved away from her angry stunned face, "Perhaps we will see each other another time."
She watched him walk away and then walked angrily back up the stairs and back inside the main house.
(Next Time)
"So" Tohru said slowly, "Kureno and Hatori are actually brothers? And Akito is their younger half brother?"
"That's right Miss Honda" Yuki nodded, "I wasn't supposed to know. But how could I not know after living with all of them for so long."
"Mhm" Shigure agreed, "And now that she is back, Hatori and Kureno are going to have to do their best to see that Akito isn't harmed by her in any way. You see the last time that she was here Akito was six years old and she caused so much pain to him. Since then Kureno has placed the blame on himself for what happened. He has been determined more than anything to protect his younger brother."
"I see" Tohru nodded sadly.
"But there is still something I don't understand from your story Shigure" Kyo replied, since he had come down just moments after Shigure had told his story, "Why was she touching you on the arm like that?"
"Oh that" Shigure frowned, "Well when she married Hatori's father we were still in middle school. She took an instant liking to me and was always touching me like that."
"Isn't that what they call sexual harassment?" Kyo replied angrily.
"Yes that is what they usually call it" Shigure nodded, "It was like that till she left. I was fifteen and to tell you the truth it made me very uncomfortable. It still does to some degree. That's why I blew her off today like I did. I am an adult now. I don't have to take it from her anymore. Anyway that's just one more reason why I don't like her very much."
Kyo and Yuki nodded as Tohru pondered over the whole situation with one thought in mind.
"I knew there was more to Akito then what everyone thinks of him" she thought, "Poor Akito. I hope he's alright" she looked to the ceiling.
(Next Scene)
At that same time Ren Sohma huffed as she closed Akito's door once more. He had been very unresponsive, so after ten minutes of talking to him she finally had enough and left. Kureno watched as she left the door and frowned. He walked over to the door and opened it gently. He walked over to Akito's bed and sat in the chair that she had preoccupied only moments earlier. Akito's hand was on top of the blankets, on top of his chest so Kureno took it gently and stroked it.
"Master Akito" he said slowly, "I'm still here. I will always be here for you. I promise nothing bad will ever happen to you as long as I am here."
Again Akito said nothing. Kureno laid his head over his hand and cried.
"Oh Akito" he said softly, "You can't die. You can't die on me now. Please Akito. Please hold on."
Akito slowly lifted his other hand and placed it on Kureno's head, brushing his hand over his hair gently. Kureno was surprised but he didn't move. He just allowed his younger brother to pat his head, knowing it was a good sign. That Akito wasn't gone yet. He could save him he thought. But he also knew that he would need help.
"Tohru" he thought as he lay there, "She can help me. She can help me find that girl."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Okay I finished! It's a really long one for you but I hope you enjoyed it. I came up with this idea sometime last month and I thought it was a neat idea. After all we don't know why Kureno was chosen for this job right, so here's my opinion. Again I am writing as far as I know what is going on in the manga, because I have no idea what's going on anymore, so I have nothing to base this on except older issues of the manga. I don't really want to know either. I like it better this way. Any way I hope you liked it! See you all next week for the last chapters of Rice-balls!
Next Time on Rice-Balls in a Fruits Basket:
Chapter Five: Research and Discovery
Yuki along with Tohru and Momiji begins looking for clues to the Zodiac curse. Find out what happens next time!
And
Chapter Six: Going Through the Past
Researching along with Yuki Tohru is going to discover a lot about herself and the Zodiac curse by reading a one of a kind diary. See what happens next time!
