Part Three: Dream Companions

The next morning Shigure sat at the sitting room table quietly reading his paper when he heard Yuki saunter into the room.

"Good morning Shigure" he replied sleepily.

"Good morning Yuki" he said cheerfully, "Sleep well?"

"Okay I guess" he nodded after sitting down and yawning, "Where's Miss Honda?"

"I don't know" Shigure said, "I haven't seen her all morning."

"Shigure!" Tohru replied in a frantic voice as she dashed into the room, "I am so sorry."

"Tohru?" he looked at her quizzically.

"I am so sorry" she repeated, "I overslept this morning and missed giving you your breakfast."

"Tohru" he shook his head with a grin, "It's no problem."

"Yes Miss Honda" Yuki added, "It's all right. Are you okay?"

"Yes but, it's my responsibility" she said in the same frantic voice.

"Tohru" Shigure replied casually as he folded his paper in two and laid it down, "You're more than just the housekeeper to us now you know."

"I know" she nodded her head, "But."

"Don't worry about it. It's no big deal. It's not always necessary for you to make breakfast for us, although we do enjoy it" he added with a grin.

"Yes Miss Honda" Yuki smiled, "Take your time."

"Okay" she finally smiled back, "I'll go get breakfast ready for you guys right now. I know I missed Kyo this morning. I'll just have to make it up to him at dinner."

"He grabbed something quickly for himself this morning anyway" Shigure said picking the paper back up and unfolding it to read, "Besides he's the one who said to let you sleep in this morning."

"Really?" she said happily.

"Mhm" he nodded, "So don't worry about it."

"Okay" she replied agreeing and walking into the kitchen with Yuki close behind her.

He walked over to the fridge and helped take out the ingredients she would need.

"Thank you Yuki" she smiled.

"Your welcome Miss Honda" he smiled back.

"I'll hurry and do this, so we can get to Sohma house."

"It's okay" he nodded, "I told Momiji we would be there by nine. We still got an hour," he added as he walked back into the sitting room.

At about eight thirty Tohru and Yuki departed from Shigure's house and headed for Sohma house. As he walked next to her Yuki watched as she yawned quietly to herself.

"Have another dream last night Miss Honda?" he asked in concern.

"Uh huh" she nodded, "I sure did. Momiji will be happy."

"Probably" he agreed.

(Next Scene)

Momiji meanwhile sat on Hatori's porch with his violin on his lap. He was practicing a new song that Maestro Sullivan had been teaching him. What he didn't know, was that someone was watching him. A pair of brown eyes watched him intently from the bushes in the back. He stopped playing briefly and gazed in the direction of the main gate and sighed heavily.

"Man I'm so bored" he complained, "I wish Yuki and Tohru would get here already."

He went back to playing his instrument and then he suddenly noticed the bushes shift. He stopped playing once more and gazed in front of them with a raise of his eyebrows.

"That's weird" he said aloud, "The wind's not blowing this morning" he looked at the bushes closely and they didn't move again, "Oh well" he shrugged his shoulders and was about to play again when a huge smile lit his face and he put it back in it's case and jumped up, "About time they got here!" he said as he ran towards them, "Hey you guys!" he replied, "I've been waiting a long time."

"Momiji" Yuki looked at him with a bit of a frown on his face, "I told you we would be here at nine and its only" he looked at his watch, "Eight fifty-five."

"I know. But I was hoping you would come sooner" he grinned as he ran over and joined Tohru at her side, "So Tohru did you have another dream?" he asked excitedly.

"Mhm" she nodded with a smile as they walked towards the back of the houses once more.

"All right!" he cheered.

The figure in the bushes followed them with her eyes and then slowly slid out of the bushes ducking behind the houses, determined to follow him wherever he went.

(Next Scene)

"And then it was over" Tohru said as they sat in the fancy sitting room surrounded by many candles that were lit, "I woke up and went back to sleep with no other dreams."

"Wow that was short" Momiji replied.

"I know" she nodded, "Compared to the other ones."

"Oh well. I'm sure you'll have more exciting ones later" he smiled as he flopped onto his couch.

"And in the meantime we should keep doing our research" Yuki said.

"Are you going to keep researching the boar journals Tohru?" Momiji asked as he picked up his book.

"I don't know" she shook her head, "I'm not sure."

"Well Miss Honda do you have the cats journal here?" Yuki replied.

"Yes" she nodded, "I have it in my bag. Why?"

"Well personally I think you should stick to it. You're having more luck with that one after all."

"Yea it's true" Momiji agreed, "You keep having the dreams every time you read that book."

"That's true," she said, "Okay. If you don't mind I will" she pulled the book out and began to read.

They read for two hours and by the third hour Momiji decided to stand and stretch. He glanced over at Tohru who was still awake.

"So Tohru is it good?" he asked interested.

"Mhm. Would you guys like to hear some of it?" she asked as Yuki put down his book and rubbed his eyes a little.

"Uh sure Miss Honda" he nodded, "It's time for a break anyway."

"Okay" she smiled as Momiji sat back down and made himself comfortable, "I'll take you back about a couple pages. Here we go" she stopped and cleared her throat.

My Love,

The very first time I saw you I can't describe it. I felt like I was meant to be here. But more importantly that now I had an even more important person to protect. I didn't know it at this particular time nor did I expect what happened to happen. But I will never forget that night. The night I first heard it. Your music.

Tohru yawned as she finished the last sentence. From where Momiji was he too yawned and collapsed onto the armrest his eyes closed. Yuki also yawned and his head fell to the side. Lastly the book fell from Tohru's hands and landed on the floor as she slumped as well in a peaceful slumber. The candles continued to flicker as the journal glowed an eerie green and the three of them drifted into a state of unconsciousness.

(Next Scene)

Yuki felt the cool breeze on his cheek, his eyelashes falling on his eyes as if he didn't want to wake up.

"Did the door open?" he wondered as his eyes slowly opened, "What?" he said out loud as he gazed at his surroundings, "Where am I?" he thought, "What is this place? Am I lost?" suddenly he saw someone walking toward a small part of the courtyard he was standing in, "Hey wait!" he called running after them, "Excuse me! I need some help!"

But the servant girl went about her business as he stopped out of breath as she entered into a side door to a dark room that from what Yuki could tell there was only one candle glowing from there.

"Can't she hear me?" he said out loud as he walked over to the room and walked in.

"I know I did a terrible thing" he heard a girl's voice as he entered and stopped wide-eyed.

"Miss Honda?" he thought as he continued, "That sounds like Miss Honda" he stopped in front of two figures that were standing in the light, surrounded by the shadows.

"No you didn't" Yotaro replied stepping forward, "What happened was not your fault. Although I dare say you were a bit reckless. The Captain told me everything."

"I figured he would" she nodded as she turned, "I'm so sorry Yotaro."

"Am I going crazy?" Yuki thought, "Or is that me? Wait a minute" he stopped himself, "Did she just call him Yotaro?"

"Takara" he said gently as he embraced her, "Just don't be so reckless in the future. Now that I am back you can go back to being a princess. You don't have to protect this place anymore."

"I know. But I don't know if that is something I can do" she nodded.

"What do you mean?" he asked pulling away.

"Because I am not ladylike like Aya. I never will be. I don't know how to behave like a girl. I'd much rather been born a boy."

He laughed and smiled.

"Then I could be more helpful," she added.

"What are you talking about? You are helpful" he shook his head.

"Yea but not in the way I want to be. I wish I could fight out there by your side."

"A war is no place for a woman. You have responsibilities here. Besides you did a good job while I was away. You took care of the injured in the village and you brought them all here for protection. That was good of you and not only that you took care of Aya while I was gone. That's very important."

"Yotaro" she said, "What about that edict? It's not true is it?"

"I don't think so" he shook his head with a frown, "I don't believe father would ever agree to such a thing. It's a lie."

"But."

"Don't worry about it," he said gently taking her hand as her head lowered, "I am going to go see Aya. I am sure she's waiting for me."

"It's funny" Takara replied with a nod, "She knew you were coming home before everything."

"She always does" he nodded as he walked to the door, "You should go to sleep too my sister. It's late" he replied as he opened the door and she followed him out.

"Okay" she agreed with a sad nod as they walked their own separate ways.

Yuki stood framed in the doorway for a few minutes watching as Yotaro walked.

"I think I understand what Miss Honda meant. I can feel everything he feels and he is the spitting image of that portrait. I'd better keep following him" he took after him at a slow jog.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile in another part of the castle courtyard Tohru had been following Takara since she had spotted her only moments ago. She stopped in a small garden and noticed the princess sitting down with a small instrument on her lap. From what Tohru could tell it was a small harp and her fingers touched the intricate harp delicately.

"So you do have a soft side" a voice from theright suddenly said and Tohru and Takara looked in the direction of the voice.

Standing near by was Kiyoshi Sohma who had on a very gentle smile. He jumped up onto a small wall and stood before her.

"I don't usually let people hear me play" she managed to say as she blushed a little.

"Why?"

"I'm not that good."

"Oh. But you enjoy itright?"

She nodded.

"What are you doing here Captain?" she asked.

"I was patrolling the grounds" he replied as he jumped off of the wall and placed a hand to his hip, "And it's Kiyoshi. You don't need to be so formal with me princess."

"Uh all right."

"As I said I was patrolling the grounds," he said as he sat down on the wall, "And I heard your music, so I came to check it out. I have to say though I am a bit surprised. You don't seem like the type of person who would do something so delicate."

"What do you mean by that?" she asked a bit angrily.

"Don't get offended, but you don't strike me as that type of person. I've met a lot of princesses and not one would greet her brother the way you did" he leaned back, "I mean most of them would bow before him politely not fling themselves in their brother's arms."

She looked away to avoid his eyes.

"No to mention I heard you were the one who fired the arrow at the Ushida messenger."

"You heard about that?" she suddenly spun around her cheeks turning pink.

"Mhm" he nodded, "Your Captain was telling us. That's pretty heroic of you. I've never heard of anything like it."

"I know I'm not ladylike" she replied angrily, "You don't need to rub it in."

"Huh? You misunderstand me" he stood up, "I'm not trying to rub it in. I'm trying to give you a compliment."

"Huh?" she looked up at him as the soft breeze blew his hair, "A compliment? Why? That's not normal."

"That's why I gave it to you. It's interesting to meet someone like you" he turned his back, "In fact" he looked over his shoulder, "It's rather refreshing. Well I should get back to my patrol. Good night princess."

"Good night Captain."

"It's Kiyoshi remember" he grinned, "I don't mind if you use it your majesty, no" he stopped himself, "That title doesn't seem to suit you."

"What do you mean it doesn't suit me?" she said angrily as he turned to face her.

"Don't get angry" he grinned, "What I mean is it seems just too formal. My lady. Now that sounds more like the right term. So I'll be on my way" he replied turning around once more, "Good night My Lady" he bowed his eyes as he departed the area.

"Good night" she said slowly as the wind blew her hair around her, "Kiyoshi" she replied slowly.

Tohru watched her with a smile and leaned against the pole she had been standing behind her.

"Wow" she thought, "He is the exact polar opposite of Kyo. And she is of me. How strange."

(Next Scene)

Yuki leaned against the wall of the room as Yotaro said his goodnights to his older sister. He had been surprised by the princess's strong resemblance to Akito as Tohru had put it. Yotaro patted her hand one last time and then rose.

"Good night my sister" he replied politely.

"Oh Yotaro one more thing" Aya said.

"Yes?"

"I was watching when you arrived. Who were the two men who were standing with you and Takara in the front?"

"One of them was Hiro Sohma, our cousin from the west. The other was a Captain who stood by his side named Kiyoshi Sohma."

"The one with brown hair?"

"Yes."

"He has a kind face" she replied smiling and pulling the covers closely around.

"Get some sleep my sister," he said helping her and then kissing her on the forehead.

Then he walked to the door and departed with Yuki close to him. Yuki followed him out and then stopped in the courtyard, for someone had caught his eye. On the other side Tohru had also stopped.

"What?" he thought, "That can't be Miss Honda?" he thought as he ran forward.

"Yuki?" she thought as she had the same impulse.

But the two of them bumped into each other and fell to the ground.

"Ow!" she said as she rubbed her knee, "Yuki?"

"Aw" he rubbed, "Miss Honda? I thought you were just a mirage."

"I did too."

"But how is that we are here together inside this dream?"

"I don't know" she shook her head as he helped her to her feet, "Maybe we fell asleep at the same time."

"Maybe. I don't know."

"Have you here been this whole time Yuki?"

"I guess. I was following the one named Yotaro Sohma around for about twenty-five minutes or so. How about you Miss Honda?"

"Mhm. I followed The Princess Takara for at least twenty minutes and I just saw you."

"Yea."

"Do you think Momiji is here too?"

"I don't know" he shook his head as the wind picked up, "What's happening!"

"This is what happens when the dream moves forward!" she shouted back.

"You mean forward in time!"

"Yes!" she replied as the wind died down and they found themselves in a strange room.

"Where are we now?" he asked as they looked forward.

"Yuki look!" she pointed, "We are in some kind of throne room. There's everyone."

"You're right" he nodded as they faced forward to look at the large group in front of them.

Sure enough in front of them Yotaro was gathered with all his men including Kiyoshi and Hiro.

"Maybe there is something important here that we are supposed to hear about," Tohru suggested.

"Perhaps" Yuki nodded as they moved closer to listen.

(Next Scene)

At that same time a breeze blew across his cheek as he slowly opened his eyes and felt the grass under his back.

"Did I fall asleep outside again?" Momiji thought as he rose from the ground, "Huh?" he said out loud as he looked around him, "Where am I? A field?"

As he was thinking this he heard a small scream from just in front of him. Coming towards him was a small girl with curly blond hair. Behind her were two older looking boys about the age of twelve chasing her with angry looks on their faces.

"Get back here you brat!" one of them shouted.

She tripped and then they finally caught up to her. They both began to hit her.

"Stop it!" she cried.

"Hey!" Momiji shouted angrily as he stood up, "Cut it out!" he ran forward.

But as he tried to grab the girl he found that he went right through her and fell flat on his face. He stared ahead confused.

"What just happened? Am I see through?" he held up his hands.

"We'll teach you to run away from us" one of the boys said, "You have to be punished" he threw his hand back down.

"No!" the little girl shouted as Momiji clenched his eyes shut.

But the hand never touched the girl. It was pulled back and Momiji's eyes opened wide when he heard the person speak.

"That's not very nice. Picking on a girl like that."

Momiji looked at the figure and his mouth dropped open as the young boy threw the two boys away from the young girl. He leaned on his knees completely.

"Is that?" he said to himself, "Me?"

(To Be Continued..)

Authors Note: Hey guys! I decided to make five parts for this chapter so; the next one will have what this one's chapter title was supposed to be. Also I decided to add two more books to this particular series because I had a lot of ideas and they wouldn't fit in one book, so all together there will be eighteen books however the last two books are very short. Anyway hope you enjoyed this part. See you later for part four!

Next Part: A Love in Time