Okay. Well it's the weekend, as promised… your chapter. I just realized what my muse is; oddly enough she is a white fox with rainbow paint spots all over her. I was rereading the story and she broke free of her writer's block prison. My dear little Arit. Arit is my muse and I want you all to thank her for getting rid of my writer's block! Thanks Arit! (Note: Arit is not real.) 3 CHAPTERS LEFT EVERYONE!

Music I was Listening To: Behind His Hazel Eyes by Kelly Clarkson


Chapter 26 (The REAL DEAL!)- Day 12- Kagura's Narrow Block
Cold. She was so cold. I was too late. She lay there, dead. In a cold sweat. The shock paralyzed me, I couldn't even cry. I stood there, looking at her dead body. Tohru. I mouthed it, tried to speak it, no words came from my mouth. Over and over I thought it, Tohru. Tohru. My darling beloved Tohru. The only one who understands me. The only one I love. Tohru. Dead. The first thing I knew, I was on my knees, by hands on the floor, my head down, silent tears splattering the floor. Silent sobs racked my body. The sobs turned into an asthma attack, and I fell forward. Someone was shaking me awake. 'Yuki! YUKI! YUKI!'

"Yuki!"

That… was real… someone was trying to awake me… but who?

"Yuki."

Hatori and Kagura.

Without opening my eyes I said, "She's dead… Tohru's dead!"

Kagura covered her mouth with her hands in fright and looked at Hatori. Hatori was unphased, "Yuki. You were dreaming… it's okay now.."

I couldn't shake off the cold, the feeling was immense, and I was shaking. I knew I had been convulsing from the looks Kagura was giving me… apparently one of the first voices was Shigure, who had called Hatori out of worry. Hatori was seated in a chair near my bed. Kagura was standing, her hands folded, smiling nervously at me. I looked at them, then suddenly I realized, two days. I had two days left. I had to leave for America tomorrow. Hatori smiled because he saw my conclusion, he handed me an envelope, "Tickets."

Kagura smiled too, "And Akito's letter. No touchie though."

I looked at them, and more silent tears fell, I looked at the letter in my hands. The tears fell onto my hands and slid off them. They felt warm against the cold. A gentle warm hand lay across mine, it was Kagura, "She'll be okay Yuki. Because you love her… she'll be okay."

I nodded, knowing Kagura was right. I then remembered that I need Kagura's story. Kagura didn't hesitate to begin without another word.


Running, running. Barefoot. Cold. Rain. Mud, so much mud. Screams. Piercing screams. She fell. She couldn't understand, it disgusted her, but she was too worried to realize that. Kyo. Where was Kyo… curse? Oh yes. Kyo was cursed. She heard that female voice speak gently, 'I love you Kyo. That's why I don't want anyone to see you.' A light shined on the fallen, mud covered girl. Then it faded into blackness and another image appeared. 'Be safe.' She saw her mother, waving and smiling. Tears fell, into nothingness, resonating into blackness. The resonating drops of her tears brought about new images. She sat at her desk, the bell ringing. Uo and Hana smiling. Yuki also smiling. And Kyo, in his own w ay looking happy. So long ago. Something pressed against her lips, she had closed her eyes, and opened them to the deep purple of 'The Prince'. She smiled, "Yuki…"

"Yuki…" Tohru murmured, "Yuki."

Uo and Hana smiled and said nothing as Tohru continued dreaming.


In fury Kikai read the story. She shouted angrily, "A list, I need a list! Damn rotten Junishi!" So Kikai called for paper and pens and began to make a list of those Junishi she had found. She needed them all dead. In a part of her mind it gave her comfort, if they were dead, she might live. If they died, the curse might die too, and then she'd live. And she'd laugh at all of them. She organized her list in order of the zodiac.

Rat- Takai- Living

Cow- Ina- Dead

Tiger- Kuro- Dead

Bunny- Kotetsuma- Living

Dragon- Lina- Dead

Snake- Bunza- Dead

Horse- Koro- Dead

Sheep- Hitori- Living

Monkey- Athrin- Living

Rooster- Ishido- Living

Dog- Unknown

Boar- Unknown

Kikai hid her list in her kimono. She growled and called in her doctor. She completely forgot Takai was there. She let the doctor examine her for a pregnancy test and then she went back to Takai, "I want a child to kill… to blood my hands with… to experiment on… and it hurts you most, because you care about the zodiac children."

Takai wanted to slap her, but couldn't. He backed away, and began to walk out. Kikai allowed him to. He saw Ishido slumped by the entrance. Athrin and Hitori arrived to see the crying child. Ishido sobbed some more, "She'll be sooo mad…"

Hitori and Athrin didn't know what was wrong. Takai did. And 9 monthes later, Kikai had not one, but two children. A girl and a boy. She couldn't hold the boy, it was a board, but the girl was holdable. The years went by, 6 years to be exact. And it was time for Takai to keep his promise. Athrin and Hitori had to play. But Hitori had grown attached to Ishido, and Athrin enjoyed spending time with the little dog-cursed girl half his age. The boar child found comfort in spending time with Kotetsuma.

"Marli…" Athrin said lightly to the girl with curly black hair and deep blue eyes.

"Yes Athwin?" The small girl said.

"Your mother… she treats you well?"

"Yes. Momma seems to like me… she hates Rali though." Rali was Marli's nickname for her brother, Raliku.

"How odd…"

Elsewhere Ishido and Hitori were talking quietly, when interrupted by a solemn Takai, "Hitori, angel… Kikai needs to see you." Hitori gave on sad look to Ishido. Ishido looked at Takai who smiled warmly. Hitori went, alone, to see Kikai.

"Rali… it's almost time…" Kotetsuma told the boy.

"Yes Suma… I know… we should go find Marli…" Rali said determined to do something.


I nodded, "Thank you Kagura… I need to… well no I don't actually…" I was indicating luggage… but I didn't think I'd need it really. Hatori nodded agreeing. Kagura turned and left. Hatori spoke after a moment, "Good luck Yuki… she needs you now…"


WHOOT! GO ME! 2 Hours of hard work, but I finally coaxed Arit and my little fox muse saved my story… REVIEW RESPONESE AT 2 AM! WHOOO!

Tomara- Thank you so much Tomara, it means a lot!

writersrus05- New reviewer! Thank you!

Nachan- I'm glad you approve, lol.

Valese- Straight and to the point. Thank you!

dragondolphin1990- We all have lives… even me!

Yokai Cesia and Chi- Ruin? My bf didn't ruin anything… he only delayed your chapter, he made me happy though.

Fallen Angel of Darkness- Watch what you read… it might be worse then your journal… lol

Lil-Kudo- No, but I may read it soon…

Dark Inu Fan- -sweatdrop- Yesh. Me know…

Alcapacien- Also new reviewer? YAY! Thanks.

trunks and goten- You all cherish Tohru don't you? Lol

kashuneko- More? Was this enough? Lol

Christine- You're welcome.