Part Four: Love for a Brother

"Why you" one of the boys said angrily charging forward with his fists raised.

Momiji watched stunned as the young boy who looked just like he did at that age knocked the fists to the side and portrayed all his martial art skills. Finally the two boys backed off scared as he grinned at them.

"That's right run you chickens!" he shouted, "And if I ever catch you picking on little kids like this, you'll have to deal with me all over again! You okay?" he asked the little girl as he took her hand.

"Yes. Thank you so much" she nodded gratefully as she wiped away her tears and stared at him in awe.

"No problem. I hate bullies."

"Those are my brothers. They are always doing stuff like that."

"Oh are they. Well I tell you what, next time they bother you, you come get me again" he leaned down, his hazel eyes twinkling.

"Mitao!" a tall man called from a cart, "Come on! We're expected you know!"

"Okay Papa" Mitao nodded, "Like I said" turning to the young girl, "Come and get me if you need my help. You can find me up at the Sohma castle," he pointed in the direction.

"Sohma castle?"

"Mhm. I'll be there. Take care!" he waved as he ran over to the cart and hopped on.

"Wow" the little girl's eyes shone with delight, "He's so brave" she said to herself as the cart rode away.

"Yea" Momiji nodded, "He sure is. Hey wait a minute! Did he say Sohma castle? Hey wait for me!" he shouted as he ran after the cart in the direction of the castle's gates.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile Yuki and Tohru listened in on the plans for fighting against the Ushida clan getting a little bored to tell you the truth.

"I doubt this is what we're supposed to hear" Yuki replied with a sigh.

"I don't know" Tohru shook her head as someone knocked on the door.

"Yes!" Yotaro said as the Captain of the Guards came strolling in, "
Captain."

"My Lord, I am sorry to interrupt you but they've finally arrived."

"Excellent" Yotaro smiled coming forward, "Please excuse me gentlemen" he replied to the soldiers, "I have to take care of business. Hiro if you would take over" he replied as he followed the Captain out the door.

"I guess we're supposed to follow him," Tohru said pointing to the door as Yuki stunned followed her.

"Yea" he nodded, "He really does look like Mr. Manabe."

Yotaro and the Captain walked down the stairs and stopped near the gate as the cart stopped. Mitao jumped off and his father gently got down and walked over to Yotaro who embraced him.

"It's so good to see you again," Yotaro replied as Yuki and Tohru came down.

"It's good to see you too Yotaro" the man replied, "I am so pleased that you're doing this."

"It's my pleasure" Yotaro bowed.

"Mitao" the man called.

"Yes Papa" Mitao stepped forward and bowed.

"Oh my gosh" Yuki said slowly.

"It's Momiji" Tohru replied looking in another direction.

"I know. He looks just like him."

"No" she shook her head and pointed straight forward, "I mean it's Momiji."

Yuki looked in the direction that she was pointing and gasped when they both saw the eighteen year old arriving in the courtyard.

"Momiji" Tohru replied as they walked over.

"Tohru?" he panted as he saw them, "Yuki? You guys are here too? How's that possible?"

"Um we've been trying to figure that out ourselves" Yuki said, "Where have you been?"

"Down in the fields. Did you see a cart come in here by any chance?"

Yuki pointed and Momiji stepped forward as he saw Mitao.

"It's him. The boy in the fields."

"He looks just like you Momiji" Tohru smiled.

"Yea, but he's nothing like me. He can kick some serious ass."

"What do you mean?" Yuki asked.

"Well he helped out a little girl who was being beaten by her brothers. I couldn't help her, I fell right through."

"Oh" Tohru grinned, "So that happened to you too?"

"Yea. So after he rescued her he came here. I wonder why though?"

"Let's find out," Yuki suggested walking back over to his duplicate.

"We are very glad to have you here Mitao" Yotaro replied.

"And I am very glad to be here too My Lord" Mitao smiled with a bow, "I will work my hardest."

"Good. He'll fit in nicely," Yotaro said turning to his father.

"I'm happy to hear that" the father replied beaming, "Mitao, listen to everything your teacher tells you."

"I will papa" he nodded.

"You're getting a fine opportunity here."

"That's right" Yotaro nodded, "The person who will be teaching you is one of the finest martial artists in these lands."

"Wow! Really."

"Mhm."

"All right then" the father said as he got back on the cart, "Be good Mitao!"

"Yes sir" he nodded with a wave.

"It would be wise to take the roads to the west" Yotaro suggested, "The Ushida clan will be no where near that."

"Yes thank you Yotaro" the man nodded, "I'll remember that."

"Good bye Papa!" the young boy waved as the cart departed.

"So he's a martial artist?" Yuki said as he crossed his arms.

"Apparently so" Momiji nodded, "Very different from me. I prefer music."

"Well now" Yotaro said, "Mitao how would you like to meet your teacher?"

"I can? Now?"

"Uh huh. Follow me" Yotaro led the way.

"Okay! I mean of course" he remembered to be cordial, "My Lord."

"Should we follow them?" Yuki asked.

"Yea" Momiji nodded; "I'm going to" he took after them.

"How about you Miss Honda?" Yuki said turning to her.

"I'll go with you Yuki" she nodded, "I'd like to stick together anyway."

"Good idea" he agreed as they followed after Momiji.

(Next Scene)

Yotaro led the excited boy to a building in the far back. Momiji arrived a couple of minutes later and followed them in. Tohru and Yuki closed the door behind them.

"I have brought your student" Yotaro said to the person who was turned around and kneeling before a large statue with a bo by their side, "You listen to everything this teacher says okay" he said to Mitao.

"Yes My Lord" Mitao replied as the person stood up and turned to face them.

"Good luck" Yotaro patted his shoulder before he departed and Yuki, Momiji, and Tohru found places to stand around the room.

The person who faced Mitao had a cloth mask that covered everything but the eyes, however they were still able to speak clear enough for Mitao to understand.

"Are you ready to begin?" the teacher asked.

"Yes Master" Mitao nodded.

"Then let's see what you can do."

Mitao took his stance and a few minutes he charged the teacher who expertly blocked all his attacks, finally knocking him to the floor. The teacher stood back up as Mitao also stood up.

"You're good Master."

"Thank you. You're not bad at all yourself. But let's really test your skills" the teacher threw him a bo, "Defend yourself with that."

"Yes Master" he nodded holding onto the weapon as the teacher picked up their bo.

Mitao and the teacher fought back and forth but in the end the teacher won again. Mitao stood up once more out of breath.

"He's really good" Yuki said indicating the teacher.

"Yea really" Tohru nodded, "But so is little Mitao. You were right Momiji."

"What did I tell ya. The kid's a natural."

"I know I'm gonna look forward to learning from you Master" Mitao said elated his eyes shining.

"You think so" the teacher removed the mask, her long hair falling out.

Tohru gasped.

"It's?"

"Oh my gosh" Yuki blinked his eyes.

"You're a girl" Mitao said surprised.

"Mhm. I don't know that the best martial artist in the land was a woman" he replied excitedly.

"Most people don't" Takara replied.

"Please My lady" Mitao blushed, "Will you tell me your name?"

"Of course. My name is Takara Sohma."

"The second princess of the Sohma clan?" he gasped.

"Mhm."

"Wow! I'm really going to like learning from you."

Takara laughed as Momiji stared ahead at her.

"That's her?" he asked astonished, "She's so cute. Just like you Tohru."

"Thank you Momiji" Tohru blushed.

"She's almost your exact image."

"Yea but her personality isn't like mine at all" Tohru smiled as they heard a loud bell, "What's that?"

"What's that?" Mitao asked.

"The warning bells" Takara said taking his hand, "Come on we must hurry to the courtyard" she took off running.

Momiji, Tohru, and Yuki looked at each other for a moment and then followed the princess and her young student out the door.

(Next Scene)

The three of them ran to the courtyard where they saw several soldiers and people running in a scared panic.

"What's going on?" Yuki asked Tohru.

"I don't know" Tohru shook her head as Yotaro appeared with his sword at his side as Takara and Mitao ran over.

"What's going on?" Yotaro asked his Captain of the Guards as several guards including Kiyoshi and Hiro arrived.

"Talk about déjà vu" Momiji grinned at Yuki who just glared at him.

"The Ushida clan are riding towards us My Lord" the Captain replied, "With a whole lot more soldiers then before."

"How far are they from here?" Yotaro asked as he followed the Captain to a higher place.

Takara and Mitao followed them as well as Yuki, Tohru, and Momiji remained below. The Captain handed the Lord the spyglass and he looked in and frowned.

"I believe their leader is coming" Yotaro said slowly.

"Huh?" Takara's eyes became wide.

"Captain ready the men with swords and then you can open the gates for those thieves. We will face them head on."

"Yes sir" The Captain bowed his head and ran back down, "Prepare yourselves men!"

"Yotaro" Takara said slowly.

"You should be inside Takara" Yotaro replied sternly as he saw her, "With Aya and the other women."

"But. You shouldn't be down there either. You are still a bit wounded from that long battle."

"I'll be fine."

"But."

"No buts. Now go. Mitao I need you down with me."

"Yes My Lord" Mitao nodded as they both went back down and Takara with a huff walked into the building.

The horses from the Ushida clan were fast approaching and finally it became time. Yotaro ordered for the gates to be open. Unbeknownst to Yuki, Tohru, and Momiji, Takara had remained with the women a few moments but then had taken a back door to the castle. She climbed the roof along with her quiver and bow and watched as the Ushida clan entered the gates. The horses stopped and the leader looked down at Yotaro who was standing in front of the other soldiers.

"Am I correct in assuming" the Leader said, "That I am in the presence of the Head of the Sohma clan."

"You are correct in assuming that" Yotaro replied angrily, "I am Yotaro Sohma. And you must be the head of the Ushida clan?"

"That's right. I am Hayoto Ushida," the man said as he lifted his helmet.

While Takara stared down angrily Tohru gasped as she saw his face. Yuki just shook his head angrily.

"That looks just like" Momiji started to say but Yuki shook his head even more.

"Yes. Just go with it Momiji. Figures he would look just like him."

"And to what do we owe this uninvited visit Ushida?" Yotaro asked.

"I am certain that you got my edicts my Lord" Hayoto said.

"I got them. What about them?"

"Then you know what I am here for?"

"Yes. And you can just turn right back around."

"I beg your pardon?" Hayoto raised his eyebrows angrily.

"My father made no such promise to the likes of your people. Aya is staying here with us. She's not going anywhere with you."

"I see" he grinned cockily, "And that's your answer? Are you sure you don't want to change it?"

"That is my answer" Yotaro replied angrily, "You don't like it that's just too damn bad."

"Well. I really didn't want to have to do this" he said drawing his sword, every soldier on the Sohma side reaching for their swords, "But I guess you leave me no choice. I am determined to have everything that the Sohmas own as well as my bride to be. And I am not leaving here without her."

"Why that" Takara seethed.

"Over my dead body" Yotaro replied, "You shall not touch her."

"Then this is what I propose. We fight you and I right now. One on one. If I win I will take your sister back to the Ushida clan. And I can get your lands later."

"And if I win, you will never set foot in my land again. You will never again harm my people. Understand?"

"Perfectly" Hayoto nodded, "I accept."

"Fine" Yotaro replied removing his cape and brandishing his sword.

"Yotaro" Hiro urged, "You shouldn't."

"I'll be all right. Thank you Hiro" Yotaro said taking his stance.

The two of them began to fight, making it quite obvious that they were both exceptionally skilled with the sword. However as Yotaro figured he had just about won, Hayoto did a move that struck his sword from his hand and a swift movement that knocked him to the ground. Yotaro clutched at his side as Hayoto pointed his sword straight at him and the soldiers on the Sohmas side had all drawn their swords in anger.

"Now what was that you said again?" Hayoto grinned evilly as he pointed it at him, "Over my dead body. I can accept those terms" he began to thrust the sword down.

But an arrow struck his sword knocking it out of his hand and making him back away surprised.

"Ushida!" Takara shouted as she stood on the roof bow raised, "Get away from him!"

Tohru looked up and gasped.

"It's Takara."

The others looked up as well, including Yotaro who blinked up at her in surprise. Hayoto stared angrily at the young girl.

"Who do you think you are woman?" he shouted, "No one fires arrows at me."

"I said get away from him" she replied loud enough for him to hear as she hopped down from the roof and landed near the stairs, "I am Princess Takara Sohma" she said as she raised another arrow, "And I shall not let you hurt my brother. Now get away from him!"

"Oh Takara" Aya whispered as she watched.

Hayoto straightened his shoulders as Hiro and The Captain of the Guards helped Yotaro to his feet.

"Well I guess the Lord of this kingdom is weak" Hayoto chuckled, "If he needs a little girl to aid him."

Yotaro stared at Hayoto angrily.

"I can fight you by myself" he insisted.

"Actually" Hayoto said, "I think I'm done for the day" he placed his sword back in his belt, "Thank you for such an interesting visit Sohma. I shall never forget it" he looked up at Takara with a wide grin on his face, "Not ever."

"Uh oh" Yuki grimaced.

"What's the matter Yuki?" Tohru asked.

"I've seen that face before."

"Huh?"

"I think we should go now" Hayoto said, "But mark my words Sohma this isn't the last you will see of us" he dropped another edict at his feet, "Here are my list of demands. I trust that you will read them" he replied as he got back onto his horse and Takara lowered her bow.

"The Sohmas will never give into the likes of the Ushida clan," Yotaro said through clenched teeth.

"We shall see about that. Let's go men" he replied before glancing at Takara one last time and then riding out of the gates.

Takara saw as Yotaro lowered his head and shook it angrily. She took a step back as Aya came out. Yotaro bent down and picked up the scroll.

"Takara what have you done" Aya replied, "You made our brother lose face."

"Huh?" Takara looked at her with a look of confusion, "But I."

"You should have let him handle it."

"You're right" Takara nodded sadly, "I know you're right. Oh I don't need these anymore" she tossed the quiver down over the balcony as well as the bow and then dashed down the stairs and out of the courtyard.

"My Lady" Mitao called.

"My Lord" The Captain said as Kiyoshi managed to catch the quiver and bow.

"I need to go talk with my sister" Yotaro replied with his head lowered and handing the edict to him, "I shall return in a moment" he looked forward and began to walk the way she had left.

"Yes sir" the Captain nodded as Aya came down the steps.

Kiyoshi placed the quiver down and walked quickly over to Yotaro as he paused.

"Remember" Kiyoshi said softly and gently, "She was only trying to protect you."

"I know" Yotaro nodded as he left the courtyard and Aya came over.

"She can be so reckless" Aya shook her head, "Captain your hand" she gasped when she saw his right hand was dripping with blood.

"Huh? Oh that must have happened when I caught the arrows."

"Please allow me to treat it" she took his hand gently.

"I can't ask you to do that."

"You didn't" she said sweetly, "Now come one" she pulled him into the castle.

"Well" Yuki sighed, "Are we going to follow them?"

"Well I am" Tohru nodded, "I want to see if Takara's all right."

"I'll go with you guys too," Momiji agreed following, "After all we're supposed to stick together."

(Next Scene)

Tohru, Yuki, and Momiji found Takara and Yotaro in a very secret place where Takara was kneeling before two graves, her eyes dripping in tears.

"Takara" Yotaro replied slowly, "Why did you disobey me? Why didn't you stay in the castle?"

"You don't have to say it" Takara said, "I know what I did was wrong. I'm sorry Yotaro. I made you lose face in front of our enemies."

"What?" Yotaro looked at her confused.

"I was reckless again, like I always am. I just couldn't let him kill you. If I didn't save you who would?"

"Uh Takara let me get this straight you think I am angry with you because you made me lose face in front of Ushida?"

"Isn't that why?" she looked back at him.

"No" he shook his head, "That has nothing to do with it. The reason I got so angry and why I am a little angry still is you could have been hurt badly don't you see."

"What?"

"Takara" he knelt before her, "What if he retaliated? What if he had fired an arrow right back at you? I don't want to imagine what could have happened. You could have died today. That's why I am angry. You could have gotten yourself seriously hurt. And I was scared. I was scared for you my sister."

"It would have been better than you dying Yotaro. The people need you. They don't need me. I would have much rather died myself to keep you alive. That would be enough for me."

"What do you mean they don't need you? Of course they do. They look to you for support and your kindness. You handle things that Aya can't. You have taken her place in that way. The Captain told me how you helped out the villagers when they were injured. They look to you for hope and me for guidance. That's what they need you for."

"Yotaro" she collapsed in his arms, "I am so sorry."

"It's all right. But please promise me don't ever do something so reckless like that again? To me you and Aya are precious treasures. I don't want to lose you. And I will do everything I can to protect you. Promise me?"

"All right" she nodded, "I promise. I won't do anything reckless like that ever again" she looked at him straight in the eye and he wiped the tears from her face.

"Good" he smiled, "Because if I lost you my darling, I don't know what I would do."

"You haven't called me that since we were kids" she grinned.

"I know" he embraced her tightly once more.

"Aw that's so sweet" Momiji murmured, "What's happening now?"

"Are we moving forward again?" Yuki asked as the wind picked up around them.

"I don't think so" Tohru shook her head, "The dream is ending."

"What?" Momiji and Yuki said at the time but they didn't hear the answer.

(Next Scene)

Yuki and Momiji sat up with wide eyes staring. Tohru too awoke and all three of them looked at each other. Yuki looked around the room and saw the candlelights once more.

"We're back" Yuki said, "I mean it looks like the dream is over."

"I guess" Momiji nodded, "Whoa what a ride."

"Yea" Tohru replied picking the book off the floor, "I'm surprised that we were all there together though."

"Yea maybe there is something about that book Miss Honda."

"Yes. Oh my. I wonder what time it is."

Yuki looked at his watch trying to focus his eyes in the dark room.

"My goodness. It's really late. We should be getting home soon."

"Okay" Tohru nodded putting the journal inside her bag.

"Well I had fun I don't know about you two" Momiji grinned as he stood up and walked over to the door.

"Well it was interesting" Yuki nodded as he and Tohru walked out the door following closely behind Momiji, "If not weird at times."

As they were locking up Tohru realized that she had left something inside. Rather then having Yuki wait for her she promised to lock the door and the gate behind her. Yuki nodded and said he would wait at the main gate. She agreed and went back inside to grab her purse. As she was locking the door she heard some crying nearby and walked to the source of it.

"Is someone there?" she called out as she came upon a little blond haired girl who was holding her knee, "Are you lost?"

"Huh?" the little girl looked up her brown eyes glistening with tears, "No I know where I am" she shook her head.

"Oh you hurt yourself didn't you" Tohru said seeing the cut on her knee.

"It's not that bad" she shrugged.

"This could get infected though. Wait right here. I'll be right back" Tohru ran to the front where she had left her bag and pulled out her emergency first aid kit, "Here we go" she said as she came back, "I always carry this with me just in case."

"Thank you very much miss," the little girl said sweetly.

"Oh no you don't have to be so formal. My name is Tohru. Tohru Honda."

"Oh no Mama always says to be proper towards people. Papa too."

"Well that's true. Now hold still this may sting a little" she replied as the little girl winced slightly, "There all done" she said as she placed on the band aid, "Feel better?"

"Yes thank you."

"No problem. Now why don't you tell me what your name is and what you're doing here?"

"My name is Momo Sohma," the little girl said.

"Momo?" Tohru blinked her eyes, "Oh you're Momo."

"Uh huh."

"What are you doing here Momo?" Tohru asked in concern more than anything.

"Well I uh. I was follow" she stopped.

"Yes?" Tohru urged.

"I was following the one named Momiji. I saw him come in here this morning. So I followed him."

"I see. And why were you doing that?"

"I don't know. I just am."

"How long have you been following him?"

"A long time" Momo said with a sad nod, "I need to get home."

"I tell you what, how about I walk you there?"

"You don't have to."

"I know" Tohru grinned, "I want to" she took her hand, "Let's go Momo" she helped her up and the two of them walked towards the main gate since Momo lived outside the Sohma walls.

When Tohru got outside she informed Yukiof how, without revealing whothe little girlwas that she was lost and she was taking her home. Yuki nodded and then said he would see her at home then. As he walked home he pondered something in his head.

"I know I've seen that little girl somewhere before" he thought.

(Next Scene)

Tohru walked next to Momo holding onto her hand and leading the way to the house. They stopped in front of a very pretty house covered with lots of flowers.

"That's where my auntie lives," Momo pointed out.

" Oh how lovely. So Momo" Tohru said looking at her, "What made you decide to follow Momiji and how long have you been doing it?"

"Well lately I have been following him every week. But it used to be every month. I'm not really sure why I do. I just have this compulsion to do it."

"Wow that's a pretty big word for such a small little girl. How old are you Momo?"

"I'm nine. I'll be in my final year of grade school next year" she grinned sweetly with her hands behind her back, "Oh look we're here Miss Tohru" she stopped in front of another pretty looking house, "Mama will be happy to see me. I want you to meet her. Mama!" she called.

Momiji's mother ran to the front of the house when she heard her daughter.

"Momo. What happened?" she asked with a worried expression when she saw the dirt on her face and her scraped knee, "Are you all right?"

"It's okay Mama. Miss Tohru helped me" she pointed, "She patched me up."

"How can I ever thank you Miss" Momiji's mother said gratefully.

"Oh it's no problem Mrs. Sohma. I just happened to be in the neighborhood when I saw Momo here crying on the sidewalk. She had scraped her knee and luckily for us I had my first aid kit handy."

"Thank you. By the way how do you know that our last name is Sohma?" she looked at the girl quizzically.

"Oh I'm sorry. I haven't introduced myself yet have I? It's nice to meet you" she bowed her head, "My name is Tohru Honda."

"Tohru Honda? Ah you're the new young secretary my husband just hired aren't you?" her face said lighting up, "You used to work as a cleaning employee right?"

"Yes" Tohru nodded, "I was only to happy to help out Momo when I found out who she was since I work for her father."

"You really work for my Papa Miss Tohru?"

"Mhm."

"Well again thank you so much Tohru" Momiji's mother smiled much in the same way her son did, "Please feel free to stop by anytime."

"Thank you. And it was my pleasure. Well I have to be on my way. Good bye" she said bowing one last time."

"Good bye Miss Tohru!" Momo waved happily as Tohru walked up the road.

(To Be Continued..)

Authors Note: Hey guys! Finally finished this one. I decided to change the part title too, because this one fit better with the relationship of Yotaro and Takara as well as Momo and Momiji's. Any way that's all for today. See you all again on Friday. Oh and for those who are wondering, I have every intention on finishing this series with no strings attached. We will see more of Kandis and Akito I promise you! Wink! Catch ya all later!

Next Part: Betrayal and Trust