A dark shadow moved along the empty road, cast by the glowing moon. The shadow stopped out side the guarded walls of what was known as the Otori house, which stood proud behind its high walls. The shadow stood opposite the house leaning against a wall.
"Not long," it whispered, "soon you shall be mine."
Spitting on the ground the shadow turned, its black cloak bellowing out behind it. The moon watched from behind its black blanket.
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"So you have come then," said Kenji, standing next to the open window, listening to the footsteps echoing into the night.
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"I'm fine." Kaede said as I helped her up.
I smiled softly at her. "I know but aren't I allowed to worry about you." I teased.
"Well I guess so." She said smiling back at me. "Anyway I have a little helper." She said pointing towards the door as Tokoriki walked in.
"Hello Mother. Hello father." She said smiling sweetly at us both.
"Well if you're in good hands then I suppose I have nothing to worry about. Only you sister when she visit" I said laughing, "Make sure she behaves" I joked kissing Tokoriki lightly on the head before turning out of the room down the corridor.
I walked down the hallway the floor beneath me singing for a change, as I stepped.
"Takeo!" I turned around to see Kori, walking towards me. As I listened I could hear the giggling of the twins not far behind. Lets see what they are up to. I thought chuckling to myself. Kori and the twins had grown closer since he had been here and the twins had loved to try out their new tricks on him rather than me of a change.
"Hello Kori." I said, beckoning him to come closer.
"Hello Takeo." He said. I thought it might be easier if he called me that instead of father for the time being seeing how we hadn't long been together.
I bent down to whisper in to Kori's ear so the twins would not hear me. "What are they up to this time then." I whispered, knowing the twins only to well and what tricks they got up to.
"They want to play a trick on you." He whispered back "But it might be more fun to play one back on them." He said sounding like the young me.
"Ok then." I whispered. "What did you have in mind?"
Kori told me what the twins were planning to do, and then he told me his plan.
"Ok then Kori" I said loudly, making sure the twins heard. "Lets go in to the garden then to meet Kenji."
I started walking next to Kori trying my best to keep a straight face, as I heard the familiar padding of their feet as they rushed towards the garden. Once outside I scanned the garden for them. I knew they would be waiting by the pond, so we made our way towards it. Once we were at the pond I sat down watching for them to come closer. Waiting for the Twins new trick to unfold.
I could hear them edging closer towards me, and the sound of them putting down a bucket of water. I laughed silently to myself, as I knew what was going to happen. But the cold water was still a shock and I gasped when they got me soaked. I got up my feet and turned to face them pretending to be angry. The girls giggled and started to run, so I cased them leading them towards where Kori was waiting with another bucket of water.
I stopped running and started laughing as I heard them scream. Kori came running towards me laughing, followed by two angry twins.
They stopped as they saw us and burst out laughing much to my surprise. I picked them both up, not minding the kicking and screaming and carried them to the house, a laughing Kori following us.
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"Still naughty as ever then."
I turned looking to see who had spoken to me. "Hello Zenko" I called putting down the girls as they rushed towards their aunt, Hana. Zenko still holds his fathers death against me, and I know he will overthrow me if he can, so I have learnt to be careful around him.
"Kimura and Kazuko" I heard Hana cry as she hugged the girls.
"Hello Hana." I said grabbing the wet girls by the backs of their dresses. "Why don't you go on up and put something dry on." I told them.
"Hello Takeo." Hana replied. "Where's Kaede?"
"I'll go and get her for you." I said as Mogi appeared from around the corner. "Mogi please take Zenko and Hana in to the tea room." I said turning to go upstairs. "I'm just going to put something dry on," I laughed as I made my way upstairs, taking two at a time.
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"Kori." Kenji called as the boy made his way inside.
"Yes Kenji." He said turning to face the old man.
"Would you like to come for a walk in to Hagi with me?"
"Yes, but what about Takeo?" he asked.
"It will be fine. I'll keep you safe." Kenji said walking down the path heading towards the gate.
"Ok then" Kori shrugged wanting to see Hagi.
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I walked down the stairs to find both Kaede and the girls with Zenko and Hana in the tearoom.
"Hello" I said again sitting down next to Kaede. "So what have I missed?"
"Hana had invited me and the girls to come and stay with her."
"I think it might be good for you to go." I said thinking of Akio.
"So you're trying to get rid of me then," she joked.
"Please mum, let us go." The twin's begged holding on to her arms.
"Now your stuck" I laughed.
"Come on Kaede." Hana said, "It will be good for you, and the baby."
"Ok then" she said. Knowing she wasn't going to win.
I put an arm around her as I leaned for a cup of tea, I was happy now that I knew Kaede and the girls would be safe while the Akio problem was being sorted.
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Kori and Kenji walked back from the market. They had spent the afternoon visiting Hagi's shops. Loaded with bags they made their way back to The Otori house. Curtains blew out from an open window as a dark figure watched the old and young man walk down the street. Knowing that his time will come soon.
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A/N: Yay! Another chapter finished and this time its not such a long wait. Lol. I'll try and update again soon.