Yo people! I've got one review so far! Quite encouraging! Thanks lots!!I've almost completed Chapter five, but there's still some brushing up to do! Maybe by end of next week? Maybe... We'll see...

5/1/05

Chapter 4 – Decided fate

"Just as I'd thought!" exclaimed Mingzashi. "That was also the reason I wanted to play 'Truth or dare', I wanted to make sure I was right," Mingzashi added, blushing.

Toyoko smiled contentedly. "Finally, she's found someone she likes," Toyoko thought happily. "I had been waiting for this day for some time. Now, what will Ritza do? After all, Akito loves to destroy other people's lives. Will he do the same to Ritza? Ritza's a strong woman; I must have faith in her. I'll step in only when I see the need to."

"You're not angry?" Ritza asked timidly. "He's a Sohma."

Toyoko smiled warmly. "So what if he is a Sohma? It's not like the Sohmas' my enemy. In fact, I'm super happy for you. My advice to you is to do what your heart says. Be strong, and you won't go wrong."

"Thank you so much for your support! I wouldn't have liked to be a Sohma in this situation! I could just imagine him hitting me and saying bad things," Ritza said thankfully.

"I'm going to change that. That's what the book says. If I can change that, the curse might be broken or something extremely good will happen to both our families. I don't know what, 'cause the book did not specify. But whatever it takes, I'm going to change Akito into a better person!" Toyoko said determinedly.

"And the Timika family will be right behind you! We've got your back!" Ritza cheered happily. "Now that's off by mind, let's go out shopping! I want to buy some clothes!"

"You don't have enough at home?" Mingzashi asked. "I've seen your closet bursting with clothes, you know."

Ritza gave her a cold stare and said, "The clothes here are different from the one sold in our city! And, Shimaya has three closet bursting of clothes!"

(Out shopping)

"Almost time to go," Toyoko reminded.

"Oh well, we will go home empty-handed anyway… The things here are so expensive!" Mingzashi complained.

(Back in their room)

Ritza plopped down onto her bed and sighed, "I'm tired with all those walking!"

"We still have to get ready for lunch," Toyoko replied and went into the bathroom to get ready.

Mingzashi rolled her eyes and said, "Well, we'd better get ready as well."

(In the dining room)

During lunch, Mingzashi and Ritza talked about their day out as Toyoko and Hatori ate silently.

After they had finished, Hatori said, "You can see Akito now. This way."

(As Toyoko entered Akito's room, alone)

"Your company is not coming with you this time?" Akito asked.

"No, and I hope Hatori will not be joining us either," Toyoko replied.

"Why? Hatori is not good enough to listen to you?"

"No, but I'd rather we talk about this privately."

"So secret?"

"Yes."

Akito nodded and with a wave to Hatori, he said, "You may go. But wait outside." Hatori nodded and left.

Toyoko and Akito stared at each other for a few moments. Toyoko asked, "Do you have the history book?"

"What history book?"

"The one I've told you about."

"I have no idea what book you are talking about. What do you want with me anyway? So what if you have found out that there's another family that is cursed? Why don't just leave it that way? The way we don't know each other?"

"Do you think your Zodiac members will come over to my side if I ask them to?" Toyoko threatened.

Akito's eyes became wide with fear, and Toyoko saw it.

"You know it may happen. And you fear it will too, don't you?" Toyoko asked gently, careful not to make him too angry.

Akito thought, "Why is she doing this to me? What does she want from me?"

"What is it that you want from me?" Akito asked finally.

"Just for you to listen to me, to talk to me. And for me to listen to you, to talk to you. Nothing else. That's all I'm asking for," Toyoko replied simply. "For us to have meals together, to talk together, spend time together. For me to stay near you. It's all I'm asking for."

"You want to move in to the Sohmas estate?" Akito asked, eyebrows rising.

"Yes. And if you allow it, for our Zodiacs to mingle too," Toyoko added, thinking of Ritza.

"I will not allow that. And never will," Akito replied sternly.

Toyoko just shrugged. "We'll see about that soon. But here are other matters," she thought. "Now, do you want to come over to the Timika estate and live there for a year, or do you want me to move in and stay here?" she asked, guessing the answer.

Akito thought, "Better I go there. If she stays here and behaves like this, my Zodiac will definitely detest me. Maybe I'll take Hatori and Kureno with me."

"I'll go to your estate. But I'll take Hatori and Kureno with me. I want to have a room for myself, and another for Hatori and Kureno," Akito decided.

Toyoko nodded. "I'll send someone to fetch you in a car in a week's time. I'm sure that'll be enough for you to pack your things for a year."

"You may go now," Akito replied.

Toyoko left.

(In Akito's room, Akito is thinking to himself)

"Why am I doing whatever she is saying? How come I'm responding to every one of her command? What will happen to my Zodiac when I'm gone for a year? They'll forget all about me and do whatever they like? This must not happen!"

"What if I move all 12 of them into the Timika estate? They'll then mingle with the other 12 Zodiacs! Why is this happening? Why do I find myself doing whatever she says?"