Chapter Three: The Trump Card

"Here you go Kyo" Momiji replied handing him his shoes which they had grabbed from the front door of Kazuma's house before they departed, "Figured you would need these."

"Thanks" Kyo mumbled as he put them on without untying them.

"There should be a shirt or two on the back seat too" Haru replied.

"Oh. Thank you" Kyo said reaching back and grimacing as Yuki handed him two button down shirts, "This is all we got?"

"Beggars can't be choosers stupid cat" Yuki replied with a frown as Kyo selected the solid white one and put it on.

"Yea I guess you're right" Kyo nodded as he buttoned the buttons except for the top two.

"So what is the plan Kyo?" Momiji asked eagerly, "What do you have in mind?"

"You'll see when we get there" Kyo said facing forward once more to watch the road, "I just hope she's all right."

"Yea" Yuki nodded, "Who knows what Miss Honda's gone through this afternoon."

(Next Scene)

It turned out that quite like Kyo Tohru had been unconscious most of the ride to The Ushida Estate. In fact she had found herself once more wrapped up in another strange dream in the past. This time she was in the throne room where Takara and Kiyoshi were sharing the news of their engagement with Yotaro, Hiro, and Aya.

"Congratulations you two" Yotaro replied beaming, "This is indeed something to celebrate."

"Thank you Yotaro" Takara said with a smile, "We're both very happy. What do you think Aya?" she asked turning to her older sister.

"Oh?" Aya looked up and tried to look happy, "Congratulations. My sister, my lord."

"How did you know that I was a lord?" Kiyoshi asked.

"Oh Yotaro told me" she lied as Yotaro spoke with Hiro on the side, "This is wonderful news."

"There's even more wonderful news Aya" Takara said, "You're coming with us to the west."

"What do you mean?" Aya looked at her sister with confusion.

"I mean that Kiyoshi and I plan to get married there and he has also informed me that there are better medicines there so you'll get better. Besides I couldn't go without you."

"We'd love to have you Aya" Kiyoshi added.

"Of course" Aya nodded her long dark hair falling into her eyes somewhat.

"So did I hear correctly?" Yotaro replied coming back over, "You are going to the west?"

"It's what you want me to do isn't it Yotaro? Me and Aya?"

"Hmm?"

"Come on Yotaro, I know you. You want us to go there. You want us to be safe."

"It's true" he nodded, "That is what I want. It is the safest place for both of you."

"All right. I will respect your wishes and go there then," she agreed as he embraced her tight.

"Thank you. Where did Aya go?" he asked looking around.

"She must be tired" Takara replied, "She probably went to her room. We should let her alone for awhile."

"You're right" Yotaro nodded, "I have to prepare for your journey. Also I think Mitao should accompany you."

"You think so?"

"Mmm. He should continue his training. It's best he goes with you anyway."

"All right" she smiled, "I will inform him" she replied walking out the door, "I'll see you later Kiyoshi" Takara said sweetly as she opened the door.

"Goodbye" he bowed his eyes gently as she closed the door behind her.

Tohru remained there for a moment and then felt a weird sensation in her head.

"I know this sounds strange" she thought to herself, "But I don't think I am supposed to follow herright now. Who am I supposed to follow?" she wondered.

Suddenly the answer was given to her for in that brief moment she found herself in an unfamiliar room. Tohru gazed around her and noticed a figure in a black cloak pulling the hood over their head.

"Where am I?" she thought, "Am I still in the palace?"

The cloaked figure opened a book and read it for a few moments. Then they closed it and walked to the door, opening it abruptly. But the strangest part was that it was the back door not the front. Tohru followed the person out, and strangely enough she found that she was still at Sohma castle.

"That's weird" Tohru said aloud as the wind picked up once more moving her forward.

This time when she opened her eyes she gasped at the sight before her. She was standing in front of a large city, dark with a red sky and with big buildings looming before her. They weren't as big as the ones in Tokyo but they were pretty big for the time she was in. In the center of the city, sat a large ominous castle that was black in color and resembled that of which Tohru had never seen before. Suddenly to her side she once more saw the cloaked figure and decided to follow them again.

"The dream must be leading me after this person. Whoever they are. I wonder where I am? And why am I here?"

Tohru followed the person till they came to the large castle. She saw as the person jumped over the large gates and landed on the other side without even breaking a sweat. Tohru had no trouble either since she could walk right through the gate. The person ran fast up the many stairs and Tohru found it hard to keep up with them. As they neared the top she saw the figure run down a corridor, but stopped herself because she had heard a familiar voice coming from a nearby room. Tohru slowly slid into the room and saw a most disturbing sight. Lying on the floor was ayoung girl, terrified at a young man who stood before her. But when the young girl lifted her face Tohru gasped even more, because it resembled that of Kisa.

"You will tell me everyone I want to know you little brat" the young soldier replied his long dark hair tied behind him.

"That's enough!" a young woman with short dark hair ran forward and wrapped her arms around the terrified young girl, "Leave her alone!"

"Kagura?" Tohru thought, "And Kisa? What are they doing here?"

"She will answer my questions!" the soldier shouted, " I am tired of ring around the rosy with you women. I want to know! Where he is?"

"She said that's enough!" another young woman appeared next to the Kagura look alike, "Stop hurting her!"

"Rin too?" Tohru thought, "I don't understand."

"Then you will offer to answer my questions then woman?" he replied with a smile at her appearance, "You'll answer them?"

The Rin look alike stood firm until they all heard the door behind them creep open. Hayoto Ushida came strolling in and sat down in on the throne that was in the room.

"All right Ikumu" he said, "That's enough. It's obvious that you are not going to get anything out of them today."

"Yes my lord" Ikumu bowed his head, his hazel eyes burning with anger, "Guards take them back to their cell!" he ordered as two guards came over and took the three girls by the arms, "Perhaps they'll be more inclined to tell us later."

"Never count on that" the Kagura look alike replied.

"She's right," the Rin duplicate said, "Sohmas don't give in to the likes of the Ushida clan!" she shouted as they were dragged out of the room.

"They're Sohmas?" Tohru thought as Hayoto sighed.

"I suppose we're never going to get anywhere with those women" Hayoto replied, "We probably should just kill them."

"But they're the only ones who know the location of that city my lord" Ikumu said, "Let me keep working on them. I will make them give up their leader and their land in time."

"If you say so Ikumu. After all you are my most trusted soldier. I trust you above everyone else."

"I thank you my lord" he smiled, "By the way I noticed that you have looked somber since yesterday. What is bothering you?"

"I am wondering. I wonder if those Sohma fools have complied with my edict yet? I dare say they will probably fight me in on this too."

"Probably. So what will your plan of action be after that my lord?"

"You know what my plan of action will be Ikumu. I have given them far too many chances. I will attack with every soldier I own and then I will steal the girl away myself right after I kill their leader. I want the Sohmas to suffer."

"Your plan is logical enough," a deep melodic voice said from the back of the room, "But I can offer a much better one."

Tohru, Hayoto and Ikumu all stared at the back of the room as the cloaked figure that Tohru had been following entered in.

"Who the hell are you?" Hayoto demanded as Ikumu pulled out his sword.

"There is no need for weapons," the person said holding out their hand making Ikumu drop the sword immediately in shock, "I come with an offer for you."

"An offer?" Hayoto raised his eyebrows, "What kind of offer?"

"A deal so you will berid of the Sohma clan for good. A way you can get your revenge on them."

"Why would I get revenge on them?" Hayoto asked, "All I want is everything they own."

"You'll want revenge on them once I tell you what I know."

"Oh?"

"The Sohma clan has no intention on following your edict through. As of this moment the younger princess has been come engaged to a young soldier by the name of Kiyoshi Sohma."

"What? But she is a princess. She can't marry some simple soldier."

"He is no ordinary soldier. He is the lord from the Sohma clan in the west."

"What?" Ikumu's eyes shot open, "The man we have been searching for?"

"Oh have you? Well at this moment he is at the castle."

"How do you know all this?" Hayoto replied suspiciously, "It's obvious that you hate the Sohma clan but in order to know this information you would have to be a member of the Sohma clan."

"Correct" the person smiled, "I am. But I am no ordinary member my lord" she said as she removed the cloak, making Tohru gasp at the sight of her.

For standing before the throne of the Ushida clan was Princess Aya.

"Princess Takara's older sister?" Tohru thought, "Why? Why is she here?"

"My name is Aya Sohma" Aya replied, "The woman you sought to marry before my younger sister."

"You? You are the older princess?"

"That's correct" she nodded.

Hayoto chuckled as he sat down.

"You show a lot of courage showing up here, being a member of the Sohma clan. But I am curious on why? Why on earth would you want to help me? If you are a member why would you hate them?"

"I despise them" Aya said angrily, "I want all the Sohmas to suffer as I have. I have had a long terminal illness all my life. All around me, the people are healthy and happy and they all get what they want. Even my younger sister gets what she wants. She's so reckless. And now she's getting married before me. The younger princess getting married before the older. It's disrespectful."

"That didn't really answer my question," he said leaning forward, "What on earth would make you think that I would be convinced that you would go against your whole family?"

"I hate them all" she replied clutching her fist at her side, "I want them to suffer. All of them. For many years I have been planning this. To show them just how much I hate them. Yotaro. Takara. Even this young lord Kiyoshi Sohma" she raised her eyes, tears falling from them, "I figure now is the best time. I want to help you destroy them."

"And you have a way to do that?"

"Yes" she nodded, "I have been perfecting my technique for many years and am now ready to put it to the test."

"Technique?" Tohru thought as the lightening flashed outside making her scream and close her eyes.

Suddenly the wind picked up around her and Tohru began to panic.

"No. Not now. Not when I am this close to finding out" she called out, "No!"

(Next Scene)

"No!" Tohru shouted sitting up from the pillow she had been lying on.

Outside she could hear the thunder and could see the lightning. She was lying in an unusual bed and could see that she was in a large room.

"Huh?" she thought as her eyes became wide and she crawled out of the covers, "Where am I? What is this place? How did I get here?"

She walked over to the door and opened it. Outside she stared at a darkened hallway. She walked outside and leaned against the door.

"What happened?" she thought remembering back to earlier in the day and then placing a hand to her mouth, "Oh that's right. Kyo's father. He tricked me. Is he the one who brought me to this strange place?" she glanced up and realized that there were two more floors above her, "This is a strange house" she thought, "It's not all one level" she thought as she noticed some candlelight coming from the top floor, "I wonder if someone's up there" she said running up the first flight of stairs.

(Next Scene)

Hatsuharu pulled up at the gate slowly and parked the van across the street. Kyo took off his seatbelt and stared angrily at the Ushida property.

"All right Kyo" Yuki replied, "We're here now. So will you let us in on, on what we are going to do?"

"Yea" Kyo nodded, "It's not going to be easy to get into that house I know this. But I also know that I can find someone who can help."

"Who's that?"

"Follow me" Kyo said opening his door, "If you want to know."

Yuki looked at Hatsuharu who merely shrugged as the three of them climbed out of the van. Kyo headed for the gate that was next door however. Yuki stared at him quizzically as he knocked on the gate.

"Uh Kyo" Yuki replied, "This is Miss Honda's grandparents estate isn't it?"

"Yes. I know" Kyo nodded as he waited.

"Wow. Tohru's grandparents live in a place like this?" Momiji replied stunned.

"Mhm" Kyo said as the gate was opened by a servant who recognized him immediately.

"Master Kyo" she replied, "What are you doing here? Are you expected?"

"Not really."

"Would you like me to go get Mr. Or Mrs. Miyoshi then?"

"Actually no" Kyo shook his head, "I need to speak with your master Takao Miyoshi. Is here?"

"Oh yes. I'll fetch him for you. Wait inside here in the courtyard" she directed them in.

"Thanks" Kyo bowed his head as she rushed to the outer houses.

"Uh Kyo" Yuki replied, "Why are you asking for him? Isn't he friends with Tai Ushida?"

"No" Kyo shook his head, "He hates him. He told me that last time. In fact" Kyo grinned, "He and I have become really good friends."

"Oh I get it. He's your trump card?" Haru said.

"Sort of."

"Kyo?" Takao replied as he came over.

"Takao" Kyo said with a smile.

"What are you doing here?" he asked smiling back, "Tohru's not with you?"

"Actually she's what I have come for."

"Huh?"

"Let me take a few minutes to explain" Kyo said with a sigh.

"Sure. Come on in. It's gonna rain somemore. We can talk in my room" he replied leading the way.

"Okay" Kyo said placing his hands in his pockets and turning to his cousins, "Let's go guys."

Yuki, Haru, and Momiji watched him walk and then followed after him at a quick pace.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile Tohru had finally arrived at the top floor and took a deep breath before she entered the candlelit room. As she walked in she was astonished to discover that she was in a huge library. All around her were comfortable couches and chairs. In the front was a gigantic fireplace that was roaring with the flames and in the back of the room was a large rectangular table. Tohru walked over to it and discovered that there was a single book sitting there.

"What's this?" Tohru thought as she picked, "It looks familiar somehow" she said aloud to herself.

"It ought to" someone replied from above her, "You've seen it before."

"Who's there?" Tohru said in kind of a shaking voice as another candle was lit and Tohru gazed up.

For on top of a ladder sat Tai Ushida looking smug as usual, the candleholder he placed on a nearby shelf, not covered with any books.

"Welcome Tohru. It's been a long time."

"Tai? This is your place?"

"I thought that you would have recognized it," he said climbing down the ladder carefully with the candleholder, "After all this is the estate that is right next to your grandparents."

"Why am I here? What's going on?"

"I had you brought here to stop you from making the worst mistake of your life."

"Huh?"

(Next Scene)

"I see" Takao said with a frown as he crossed his arms, "So Tohru's next door is she? Man this is probably the lowest thing that he has ever done."

Kyo had told him everything minus the Zodiac curse while Yuki, Momiji, and Hatsuharu added bits and pieces.

"But there is no way for us to get in there" Kyo finished.

"Well that's not a problem" Takao replied with a grin uncrossing his arms.

"What do you mean Mr. Miyoshi?" Yuki asked.

"Takao. You don't have to be so formal. I mean I can help you get in there. Of course it's gonna take a little trickery on my part too."

"Trickery?" Kyo said with a raise of his eyebrows.

"Mhm. I knew he was upset about your engagement" he replied as he dug through the closet that he shared with his twin, "My brother told me about it. It turns out that he and Tai were spying on you guys that night."

"Why doesn't that surprise me" Kyo frowned as Takao rummaged in the back, "So what's your plan?"

"My brother Riku is out of town this week for soccer. Tai doesn't know that though. He hasn't been by. He's been very busy. Actually he and Riku don't converse very much anymore but they're still friends who knows why. But I know there is one way to get into Tai Ushida's house and it's in this closet. I just have to find it first. He hides it all the time. Oh and I probably should change my clothes too."

"Why's that?" Haru asked as he leaned against the wall.

"Because if I am going to play the part I better look like the part. Found it!" he shouted as he pulled out a small key and showed it to them, "The Ushida property is covered with cameras but there is a back door to the estate. Tai Ushida gave this to my brother when they were young so he could go over any time he wanted. Day or night. If I change my clothes Tai won't be alarmed if he looks at the cameras and sees my brother, not me."

"Oh I get it" Kyo smiled, "You're going to impersonate your brother?"

"That's right. And who better to do it then his twin right" he winked.

"You're a twin?" Momiji said as he began to change his clothes.

"Mhm. Who all are going with me and Kyo?"

"Actually I think I should go alone" Kyo shook his head.

"Kyo" Yuki said firmly, "That's not a good idea."

"Yea" Haru nodded, "We want to help."

"I understand that but if too many of us go in there it will be suspicious. This is my fight."

"Don't be so stubborn Kyo" Haru protested, "You always want to do things on your own. We're family."

"He's right stupid cat. You can't go in there alone" Yuki replied, "You might go off or something worse."

"Which is why you are coming with me you damn rat" Kyo retorted.

"Huh?" they all stared at him.

"I need backup and who better to take along then you. Haru and Momiji can go back to the van and let Shigure know what is going on. That's what I need them to do. I need you to come with me so when the time comes you can get out of there with Tohru, but I am going to face Ushida by myself."

"Very well Kyo" Yuki nodded, "I understand. And under the circumstances Haru I think he's right. You should go back to the van."

"You're right" Haru agreed as Momiji nodded, "We'll let Shigure know what has happened up to this point" he opened the door and the two of them walked out of the room.

"Well now that that's settled" Takao replied placing a baseball cap on his head, "Let's go get Tohru" he grinned as the brim covered his eyes.

"Mhm" Yuki and Kyo nodded back determined.

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Hey you guys! I decided to make this a little longer. So there are three more chapters left in this book! See you later I am going to go write the rest of them!

Next Chapter: Tai Reveals All

Now that Tai has Tohru's undivided attention he finally reveals to her how the Zodiac curse came to be and the Ushida's role in it. See what happens next time!