Part Five: Betrayal and Trust

Yuki listened intently as Tohru told him all about Momo. He uncrossed his arms, took a sip of his tea and nodded his head.

"I thought I recognized her from somewhere" he said, "So it was Momiji's younger sister. How long has she been following him? Did she say?"

"Yes" Tohru nodded, "She told me that it has been several months but lately she has been watching him almost every week. I asked her why she was following him too and do you know what she said?"

Yuki shook his head.

"She told me that she didn't know why but for some reason she felt a compulsion to do it."

"Compulsion? Did she use that exact word Miss Honda?" Yuki asked impressed.

"Yes" Tohru smiled, "Quite a big word for such a small girl."

"I'll say" Yuki grinned, "So what are you going to do Miss Honda? Are you going to tell Momiji?"

"I don't know" Tohru said with a slight frown, "What do you think I should do Yuki?"

"Well I think you should tell him."

"You do?"

"Mhm" Yuki nodded fervently, "If it were me and I was in his place I would want to know. And knowing Momiji he really would want to know. After all in his own way he's been watching after her too I think. Besides if one day she gets caught by Momiji and he finds out that you didn't tell him that you saw her first, his feelings might get hurt, although like most of us he probably wouldn't show it."

"You're right" Tohru agreed, "Okay. After work tomorrow I will head to the main house and I will tell him when I arrive at the archives."

"That's good. When do you get off of work tomorrow?"

"Normal time" Tohru replied, "Around five o'clock. Why do you ask?"

"No reason except I won't be at the archives until much later than that. I promised I walk Machi home tomorrow afternoon, and after that I will probably want to spend some time with her."

"That's okay Yuki" Tohru said with a smile, "You take your time and Momiji and I will continue with the research."

"All right" he nodded as they both heard the front door open.

"Tohru! I'm home!" Kyo called as he took off his shoes.

"Well" Tohru replied getting up, "Now that Kyo's home I'll get dinner started" she walked into the kitchen.

(Next Scene)

That evening Tohru sat at the sitting table by herself reading the cat's journal. Kyo had just gone off to take a nice long bath to relax from his day at work. It turned out he had quite a bit of trouble with two of his students, so he was quite stressed out. Yuki was upstairs in his room working on something for school and Shigure was once more in his study. Kyoko wandered into the room as Tohru turned another page and yawned. She walked around the table when she saw the book and stared at it. Tohru laughed a little as another yawn came overher and her eyes began to slowly close. As Kyoko watched the book fell onto the table, it's cover face up. Tohru's head was on the table. Once more she had drifted off.

(Next Scene)

Tohru opened her eyes and discovered that it was night in the castle courtyard. There were several guards on patrol and the environment was very still and quiet. She heard a door slowly open and saw Takara descend from the stairs down into the courtyard. From where he stood on duty, Kiyoshi watched as she departed the courtyard and head into the left direction. He followed her, with Tohru right behind him. As he neared her he discovered her kneeling in front of the graves, as she had been that very afternoon. Tohru watched as he walked up to her slowly.

"So this is where you ran off to this afternoon," he said gently.

Takara spun around quite stunned to see him.

"Capt, oh I mean Kiyoshi? What are you doing here?"

"I came to see if you are all right my Lady" he replied with a grin.

"Why wouldn't I be all right?"

"Because of what happened this afternoon."

"Oh that" she turned away from him and lowered her head, "That was just stupid of me. I don't know what I was thinking."

"I know what you were thinking. And to tell you the truth I think it is a very honorable reason."

She lifted her head as he continued.

"The only thought in your head this afternoon was protecting Yotaro from getting killed right?"

She nodded her head.

"But it was still stupid" she replied, "I did a terrible thing. I made him lose face in front of our enemies. I can't imagine how I would feel in his place."

Kiyoshi took a step forward and gazed at her with his gentle eyes.

"Takara why are you so concerned with what the Ushida clan thinks? Personally I think it is quite irrelevant."

"Huh?" she looked back at him.

"Does it really matter what they think? They don't like the Sohma clan anyway so even if you hadn't done anything they would have found something else to dislike your clan for. Yotaro doesn't think that way does he?"

"No" she shook her head, "In fact this afternoon he told me he was angry not for that reason but because he was fearful for my life."

"I can understand that" Kiyoshi nodded, "That would be the reason I would be angry at you too. It was a reckless thing you did but on the other hand it was a truly admirable thing that you did. One you shouldn't feel ashamed about. I sincerely doubt that Ushida would have done anything. I don't truly believe that he hurts women that way. He gets other people to do it for him. Besides even if he had tried to go after you there were a number of soldiers on our side who would have defended you with their lives. I'm one of them."

Takara stared at him as he raised his hand to scratch his head. As he did she noticed the bandage on his hand.

"What happened to your hand?" she said in concern as Tohru moved closer so she could hear better.

"Hmm?" he looked at it, "Oh that. That happened this afternoon when I tried to catch your bow and arrows when you threw them from the balcony."

"Oh I'm sorry" she stood up and walked over to him taking his hand in the process, "Once again I was being reckless."

"It's no big deal" he chuckled, "Your sister patched me up. You know I think she might have a crush on me."

"Aya? I doubt that. She's much too refined for something silly like that."

"What's that got to do with it?"

"Hmm?"

"I mean you can't help it when you like someone it just happens. Refinement has nothing to do with it. You know?"

"I guess I see what you mean" Takara nodded, "Anyway again I am sorry about your wounds."

"Like I said" he smiled, "Don't worry about it. I'll survive. It's just a scratch."

"Mhm" she smiled back as she turned to look at the graves once more.

"As far as Yotaro goes he's just worried about you because he loves you" Kiyoshi continued.

"I know. I know he loves me. And I love him and I am so thankful that he's home. I guess I have you to thank for that" she looked back over her shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"I heard that my brother got seriously injured on the battle field. And that he almost died when a member of the Ushida clan came after him. But you and Hiro saved him and nursed him back to health so he could come home" Takara knelt once more in front of the graves, "I am truly grateful to you Kiyoshi."

"It is I who is grateful to him. He saved several of my soldiers as well. And he allowed me to accompany him here" he sat down next to her.

"Why did you come here Kiyoshi besides wanting to repay my brother?"

"It is true that I came here for that" he said with a frown as the light wind blew his hair, "But I do have another reason."

"Oh?"

"Mhm. One I don't really want to get into right now."

"Why not?"

"Because it's painful. However I do feel comfortable telling you about it. So maybe I will. I came here so I could be closer to the Ushida clan."

"Closer?"

"Mhm. You know right there. So I could fight by your brother's side and defeat them. But more importantly I am looking for someone."

"Looking for who?"

"Takara" he sighed, "The reason I want to defeat them so badly is I hate them. I really hate them."

"Hate's an awful strong word to use don't you think? I mean you can dislike someone. But hate? You?"

"The word suits how I feel about them. But one in particular. I have such vengeful feelings toward him."

"Vengeful?"

"Mhm."

"What did he do to you?"

"He didn't do nothing to me, but kill my brother."

"Your brother?"

"Mhm. My older brother. That is why I hate him so much. I looked up to my brother. I respected him more than anyone. And now he's gone."

"When did this happen?"

"About a year and half ago. My brother was defending some of my people and this man he killed him and then he kidnapped the three girls he had been protecting."

"Three girls. Were they your sisters?"

"No. They're my cousins, who were staying with us."

"What did the Ushida clan want with them?"

"I don't know. But what I do know is, I have to find them. I know they're still alive. One of them was my brother's fiancée, the other two well one was a little girl, and the other was Hiro's love."

"Our cousin Hiro?"

"Yes, that's why he came with me. I was asked to come by your brother. He came along to find her with me. I know that man that I search for is somewhere with Hayoto Ushida. And when I find him I will exact my vengeance on him."

"I have never seen this side of you before Kiyoshi" she said with wide eyes, "You're really angry aren't you?"

"I don't usually let people see this side of me. I keep it inside and I let it out when I am on the battlefield. It's the only way I can deal with it."

"Maybe Yotaro can help you get them back."

"No I don't want him involved with this. I haven't even told him about it. Please don't tell him. This was only meant for you to hear."

"Why?"

"Because I trust you. You know" he looked up into the sky, "I hadn't planned on staying here this long to be honest. I was going to head for the Ushida territory quite soon, but something's kept me back here."

"What's that?"

"You" he looked at her directly, "I don't know what is but I am drawn to you. I have been since day one. Someday I have to return to my own home, but now I have a reason to stay longer."

"Kiyoshi" she said slowly as he stood up.

He turned his back and smiled to himself.

"You know I can understand exactly how your brother feels about you."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Well he wants to protect you with everything he is. I feel the same way. With my last dying breath I want to protect you. Because" he looked back over his shoulder with the same smile, "I love you Takara."

Takara stared at him a few moments and then rose to her feet. She walked over to him and he turned around.

"We hardly know each other. Are you so certain?"

"Oh yes. But it isn't just your beauty that I have fallen in love with. It's you. Everything about you. Especially your heart. I love your heart. Your giving, nurturing, and compassionate heart. That's what I love the most about you. And I want to take care of you. I've never been more certain of anything in my life."

Takara fell into his embrace and he held onto her tightly as Tohru watched teary-eyed from where she stood. As she wiped a tear from her face, the wind slowly shifted forward and the scenery began to change all around her. This time she found herself in the outer fields where Mitao and Takara were picking flowers. She walked over to where they were and sat down to listen to their conversation. Takara was smiling and Mitao came over with a small bunch of flowers.

"Here my Lady" he grinned handing them to her.

"Thank you Mitao" she smiled back.

"Hard to believe it isn't it?"

"What is?"

"It's been a whole month since we heard from the Ushida clan."

"It's a blessing that's what it is. But it does bother me a little bit. It makes me wonder what they are up to."

"I think the Lord is worried too, but he doesn't show it much."

"That's Yotaro for you."

"You and the Captain have been getting pretty close too, huh my Lady."

"Mhm" Takara smiled thinking back on the evenings she and Kiyoshi had spent by each other's side.

Mitao turned around to the right and suddenly grimaced as he spotted horses heading in their direction.

"Uh oh" he said.

"What's wrong Mitao?"

"Horses coming this way. From the east."

"Where?" she asked standing up as he pointed.

She looked and then frowned herself as she saw the flags they carried.

"Mitao. Run to the castle. Inform the Lord that the Ushida clan is on their way."

"What about you my Lady?" he asked worried.

"Just go" she ordered, "I'll be fine," she said as she lowered herself in the tall grass.

Mitao took off running leaving her there with her back turned but her eyes and ears completely open. Tohru watched as the horses drew nearer and noticed herself that Hayoto Ushida was amongst them.

"I hope she'll be all right," she thought holding her hands together.

The horses stopped as Hayoto gazed around him.

"What is itmy Lord?" one of the soldiers asked him.

"I'm wondering where all those peasants are," Hayoto said with a sneer, "Probably still up at the castle. Shame too. I need something to drink" suddenly he spotted Takara, "You there! Girl! Come here!"

Takara completely ignored him and continued picking the flowers and putting them into the basket next to her.

"Are you deaf woman!" he shouted, "I said come here!"

"If I were you," Takara said slowly as she rose, "I would not address me as such. I am not some simple peasant girl" she replied turning around the wind blowing her hair all around her.

Hayoto stared at the girl before him, his eyes wide with recognition and his mouth curved in an unnerving smile.

"It's you."

(Next Scene)

As Tohru remained in the dream world, completely oblivious to the real one, Kyo came back from having his bath. When he saw her asleep he tried to wake her up. When she didn't move he sighed and picked her up intent on putting her to bed. As he did he noticed the journal lying on the table. Slowly, he managed to pick up as well as he moved out of the sitting room and towards the bedrooms. He entered Tohru's room and laid her on her bed, covered her up with her covers, and kissed her forehead. He was about to place the book onto her side table when he noticed how old it looked.

"What is this?" he wondered as he turned to one of the pages, "A diary. What on earth would she be doing with this?" he thought as he placed it onto her table with a frown, "I wonder why she is so sleepy lately?" he thought as he turned off the light, "Maybe I'll ask her in the morning" he walked out of the room closing the door gently behind him.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile in the dream world Mitao hurried to the castle and ran into Hiro and Kiyoshi completely out of breath.

"Mitao" Hiro said, "What's wrong?"

"I" he said gasping for air, "I need to warn the Lord. The Ushida clan is coming. The princess Takara is still in the fields. She sent me to get him."

"What?" Kiyoshi replied angrily grabbing a horse that was nearby and jumping onto it.

"Kiyoshi what are you doing?" Hiro asked as the horse reared.

"Warn the Lord. I am going to go help her" he rode out of the castle.

Hiro nodded to Mitao and they both dashed up the stairs to the throne room.

Down in the fields Tohru watched as Takara stared angrily back at Hayoto Ushida.

"I was hoping I would get to see you again" Hayoto replied.

"You shouldn't be here" Takara said with an angry glare, "You're not welcome here at all. If I were you I would ride back the way I came from. The soldiers will be here soon."

"Is that so. But before in that amount of time, I could easily sweep you onto my horse and carry you off from here."

"You'll do no such thing," Kiyoshi said as he rode up behind him, "Not while I am around" he held up a bow and arrow.

"Kiyoshi?" Takara replied surprised.

"One soldier. That's all that he sent?" Hayoto said sarcastically.

"The rest will be on their way very soon" Kiyoshi replied.

"There will be no need for them. I merely came here to give this to him" he pulled out a scroll from his armor.

"Another edict?" Takara said angrily, "Haven't you given enough of those to us already?"

"The last one I gave you can completely void" Hayoto replied as he threw it to her, "This is my new list of demands."

"I'm sorry to tell you" Takara said, "That the Sohmas don't give in to the likes of the Ushida clan."

"What she said," Kiyoshi agreed with a frown as he stared at one of the soldiers to Hayoto's right.

"And I'm sorry to say" Hayoto replied, "That my clan won't rest until we have everything the Sohmas own. We will see each other again Princess I guarantee it" he said looking her directly in the eye, "Let's go men!" he shouted as he rode away from the two of them and they followed.

Kiyoshi lowered his bow and then looked at Takara gently.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes" she nodded.

"Get on" he indicated to the horse, "Let's get back to the castle."

As Takara climbed the horse, Tohru felt herself pulled forward again back into the courtyard where Yotaro and the other soldiers were just preparing to go after Kiyoshi. As they rode up, Yotaro rushed over to Takara and embraced her.

"Are you all right?" he asked with a worried frown.

"I'm fine" she nodded, "But here" she handed him the scroll, "It's another edict from Hayoto Ushida himself."

"Another one?" Yotaro said taking it, "What for? He gave us one last month."

"He said completely void that one" Kiyoshi explained as he got off the horse, "He said that is his new list of demands."

"I see. Hiro, Kiyoshi. All of you" he looked at his soldiers, "Come with me into the throne room. I need to speak with you. Takara."

"I know" she stopped him, "Into the castle."

"Thank you" he smiled as Aya came over and took Takara's hand smiling at Kiyoshi as he passed.

Tohru watched as they all walked into different directions and thought.

"I don't know why" she said out loud to herself, "But I think I am supposed to follow the Prince right now" she nodded and then ran up the stairs after the men.

She found them all in the throne room, Yotaro sitting down, staring at the edict angrily. He shut it and threw it on the floor shaking his head.

"I knew this was going to happen" he replied slowly as Hiro and Kiyoshi walked over, "This is one of the things I feared."

"What's wrong?" Hiro asked.

"Well apparently" Yotaro said standing up and walking over to a window, "Ushida is no longer interested in marrying Aya."

"Well that's a good thing right?" Hiro said as Kiyoshi frowned slightly.

"Yes and no" Yotaro shook his head, "He doesn't want to marry Aya."

"He wants to marry Takara doesn't he?" Kiyoshi finished.

"What?" Hiro said surprised.

"That's correct" Yotaro nodded.

"I knew it. I knew it this afternoon. The way he looked at her."

"I'm going to have to break the news to her" Yotaro replied with a sigh.

"Please" Kiyoshi said stepping forward, "Allow me to do it."

Yotaro looked at him and then walked over.

"May I speak with you for a moment Kiyoshi in private?"

"Yes" Kiyoshi nodded as Hiro departed to join the other men.

"We'll be but a minute," Yotaro said to the men as they walked outside.

Tohru followed them and stopped when she saw how serious they both looked.

"Kiyoshi" Yotaro replied, "I know why you want to tell my sister. I have watched for a month now as the two of you have gotten closer and I was happy. You're a perfect match and I can't think of anyone better for her to be with. I trust you completely."

"Yotaro" Kiyoshi looked at him in surprise.

"With that said however, I need you to do something for me."

"Anything."

"I want you to ask her to marry you."

"Huh?"

"I want you to marry her. Now before anything happens."

"But Yotaro" Kiyoshi replied with a slight frown, "Now's not the right time."

"It is the right time. You love her don't you?"

"Yes."

"Does she know? Does she know who you really are?"

"No I haven't told her yet. You know the reason I haven't too."

"Yes I do" Yotaro replied, "But I want you to ask her. Tonight."

"Why now?"

"Because I want her to leave this place with you as soon as possible. Her and Aya. I want to get them as far away from here as I can."

"Yotaro. You know she will never agree to such a thing."

"I know. That's why asking her to marry you is what you have to do. That way she'll never know my real reason."

"That's still a very bad reason to get married? Fear of the Ushida clan."

"I 'm not asking you to marry her. I am asking you to ask her. You had every intention of doing it. All I am asking is that you do it now."

"I still have my own reasons for being here though."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I don't want to ask her with so much pressure. That's no respect at all. I care too deeply for her to hurt her that way. I do want to marry her don't get me wrong, but are you certain you want it this way. I can refuse you know. I am no different then you."

"I know. But for her sake, will you please consider it at least? In your kingdom she would be safer. You have more soldiers then I do. Even if you went off to war she would be safer there."

"And you? You would remain here?"

"I have to. This is my kingdom. I have to protect it till my last breath, as my father did before me. This edict Ushida sent is no joke. I believe he will exact what he said in that letter. He'll come for her, but he may be more reluctant if she's already engaged to someone else. Especially when he doesn't know, that that person is really a lord himself."

Kiyoshi took in a breath of air and stared into the sky since the sun was setting. Yotaro placed a hand on his shoulder.

"She's what you have been looking for isn't she?"

Kiyoshi nodded.

"Then please just consider. Think about her. Her safety more than anything. That's what matters now. She knows you love her. Asking her to marry you is not a crime and I am sure she wants to. In the end it would be what's best for everyone."

"And then Ushida would take his anger out on you? That's the good thing."

"It's better than him taking it out on someone else."

"Well. I'm still against it, but I did honestly plan on asking her this evening. In fact that was what I wanted to talk to you about you just beat me to it."

"So you're gonna ask her then?"

"Yea" Kiyoshi nodded but seriously looked at him, "But not for your reason. I'll do as you ask as far as taking her away from here, but I'm doing this for us. I'm doing this because I want to, not for any ulterior motive. I will marry her when I return to my kingdom. You will be the one to tell her that she has to leave here. I wont do it for you."

"I understand. I respect you for that" Yotaro nodded walking away from him, "Thank you."

Kiyoshi once more stared straight ahead at the setting sun and sighed. Tohru watched him and then felt the strong wind pull her away. When she awoke she saw that she was back in her bed. Surprised she glanced at the book on the table and then snuggled back under the covers into a dreamless sleep.

(Next Scene)

His watch read 10:00 as he glanced down the street. It was dark and there were hardly any lights. He suddenly heard the footsteps behind him as another man approached him.

"You're on time" he said, "I'm surprised."

"I always make it a point to arrive on time" the younger one replied, "It's part of my business. I brought the information for you. Now all you have to do is your part and I'll do mine. My men will be at the location at exactly noon as you stated."

"Good. Well" he moved his hand forward, "A pleasure doing business with you Mr. Ushida."

"You too Mr. Sohma" Tai grinned menacingly, "You too."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay! Phew! That was a long one. But chapter six is finally complete. One more chapter of this book to go, however you all will get it next week and believe me you don't want to miss it!

Next time on Rice-Balls in a Fruits Basket:

Chapter Seven: Kidnapped!

Not telling! I am so mean! (Menacing Laugh!) Giggle! Have a good weekend everybody!