Hello guys!! This is Chapter 6! Still working on Chapter 7... I hope to finish it as soon as possible, as I have much time this week.But we'll see! Whether you were waiting for this or not, thanks for waiting and sorry for the long wait! Before Chapter 7, for now, just enjoy Chapter 6! Cya!

Chapter 6 – Return to the Timika estate

"Wake up, you two. I want to go home as soon as possible. I miss my darlings," Toyoko woke Ritza and Mingzashi up. They quickly brushed their teeth, showered and got dressed. In 20 minutes, they were all ready. "Have you packed your things? We are leaving right after breakfast," Toyoko asked.

Both nodded and the three of them went into the dining room. Breakfast was already ready, waiting for them. They were tucking in when Hatori joined them. "'Gure's not having breakfast with us?" Mingzashi asked.

"He doesn't live in the main house. He lives outside," Hatori replied.

"You two are good friends, right?" Mingzashi asked.

Hatori sighed and nodded. Toyoko said to Mingzashi, "Zashi, we are leaving soon. Finish up your breakfast quickly and quit asking so many questions." Mingzashi nodded and returned to her meal.

Soon, the Timikas were done and got up to leave. Before Toyoko closed the door, she told Hatori, "If Akito asks where we've gone to, tell him we are going back to my estate. And I'll be back in a week." Without waiting for a reply, she closed the door shut.

(They have reached the Timika estate)

At 12 noon, the car that the three Timikas were taking pulled up in front of the Timika estate front door. 10 people were standing at the door, waiting for them. They were standing in a row, from the mouse to the boar, but without the dragon and dog. As Toyoko got out of the car, an orange head bounced out of nowhere and stood in front of Toyoko. "Tamasha! Wonderful to see you! Off you go, back to the end of the line!" Toyoko exclaimed.

"Kimiko!" Toyoko called out one by one. A girl with violet hair and eyes stepped out and greeted Toyoko and gave her a hug. "Welcome back!" She said happily.

"Atomi!" A boy with black and white hair stepped out, paid his respects and said, "Long time no see." "Yokato!" A young girl with light brown eyes stepped out, greeted Toyoko and hurried back timidly.

"Shimaya!" "Here!" came a high pitch voice. A girl with yellow hair and eyes stepped out and ran towards Toyoko and hugged her tightly, almost knocking Toyoko to the ground. "I missed you so much!" she screeched. Toyoko laughed pleasantly and said, "My hyperactive one!"

"Himisu!" A man with silver long hair came forward, knelt down dramatically and said loudly, "My queen has finally returned from her long journey! I hope she is safe and healthy!"

"Kimoka!" A girl with long, flowing brown hair stepped forward and said, "Welcome home."

"Isaza?" A girl with light brown hair stepped forward and said, "Mom! You are finally home!" "At least you still remembered to call me mom. The others didn't!"

"Yotaoi!" A lady with coffee brown hair stepped out and paid her respects.

"Kasumu!" A man with red hair came forward and welcomed her.

"Tashi!" A girl with dark brown hair and pink stripes (natural) stepped forward, paid her respects and started chatting about all that happened while she was gone. "I'll hear about it later. Tamasha must have her turn."

"Tamasha!" The orange haired girl came before Toyoko, knelt down and bowed her head low. It was the tradition that the cat does that kind of respect before being allowed to talk to the god. "Up," Toyoko commanded. Tamasha stood up and hugged Toyoko tightly.

Toyoko walked into the estate and towards the main house. The twelve Zodiacs and cat followed behind. When Toyoko reached the main house, she said to all, "I want Mingzashi, Ritza, Shimaya and Tashi to come with me. If any of you need to talk to me, you can also come with me. The rest may go."

The Zodiacs dispersed, except for Ritza, Mingzashi, Shimaya, Tashi and Himisu. "Come inside the house first. I'll see Himisu first, before the others." "Toyoko, I just stayed behind to wait for my sister." Himisu said. Toyoko nodded and said, "I see, then Ritza, Mingzashi, Tashi, Shimaya, come with me."

They went into Toyoko's room and knelt down before her chair. Toyoko sat down in front of them and said, "I'll have you two know first. Shimaya, Tashi, I have to move the Sohma estate for a year or maybe longer or shorter. But I'm allowed to bring three Zodiacs with me. Does either of you want to go?"

Tashi and Shimaya were silent for a moment, taking what Toyoko just said all in. "Mom's going away?" Shimaya and Tashi thought unhappily. (The Zodiacs under 20 years old were supposed to call Toyoko "Mom", but as Tashi is exactly 20 years old, she sometimes calls her mom too.) "I want to go with you!" Shimaya and Tashi said in unison.

"But I'm already taking Ritza and Mingzashi, so only one of you can go. I'm sorry to have to disappoint one of you," Toyoko replied sadly.

"Don't be sorry, mom, it's not your fault!" Shimaya said.

"I'll let Shimaya go. I'll stay at home instead, mom," Tashi decided.

"You'll really let her go?" Toyoko asked.

Tashi nodded and added, "I can visit you, right? Even if I don't stay there?"

"Yes, you all can. All right, so it's settled. Off you two go. Tashi, tell Himisu to hang on bit longer, Ritza will be out soon."

Shimaya nodded and together with Tashi, walked out of the room.

(Out in the corridor)

"Himisu, Ritza will be out in a while. How are you supposed to break the news to her about your mother?" Shimaya asked, concerned.

"No idea. This is serious. We don't know if mom will live through this… I hope she survives. But I don't know how Ritza will take it. I hope she takes it well," Himisu mumbled.

"Good luck," Tashi said and with a wave, left with Shimaya, who gave him an encouraging smile.

As he stared at their leaving shadows, he began to feel nervous. "She and mom are very close… How will she feel when she hears about mom?" His thoughts were interrupted when Ritza and Mingzashi emerged from Toyoko's room. Both were chatting non-stop and were obviously very excited about something.

Seeing his sister's face shining with much excitement, his heart felt heavy when he approached her. "Ritza, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Sure thing. See you Mingzashi!" Ritza replied and waved goodbye to Mingzashi. "What's wrong?" she asked, turning back to Himisu.

"How do you know something's wrong?"

"It's written all over your face that something's happened." Ritza replied, her face turning serious.

"It's definitely not a good thing…"

"Then out with it!"

"Well, mom… she had chest pains not too long ago, and it was serious. So, I took her to the hospital. The doctor said that she might have to go through an operation," Himisu started.

Ritza's face turned worried and scared. Her look told him to go on.

Himisu continued, "She said that if mom wants to live, she must have a heart transplant. But so far, we haven't found one for her."

Himisu saw his sister cringed with fear. He put his arms around her and held her tight. "Don't worry too much, sis. Let's just hope mom will go through this. I'm sure mom wants to see you, now that you are back," he whispered into her ear.

She nodded, finally allowing her held back tears roll down her cheeks.

"Don't cry," Himisu tried to comfort his younger twin sister. "Anyway," he added, trying to cheer her up. "What was it that you were so excited about when you came out of Toyoko's room?"

"Now it doesn't seem so exciting anymore," Ritza replied and explained the happenings that went on in the Sohmas estate while she was there. "But I don't feel like going back now, not with mom like this. She'll need me, us, our support. I mustn't leave! I'll tell Toyoko. Let Tashi go, she wants to go too."

Himisu stopped her. "But what about the man, Hatori? You can't miss this chance! Plus he's a blessed one too! You are already 27 and if not now, when?"

"What does Hatori mean to me? What do I mean to him? Probably nothing! It'll be better that I don't go back. Anyway, I want to stay with mom. Let's go and see her now," Ritza decided.

Himisu decided not to bother her about her trip for now. He hoped that the hospital will find one quick, so that their mother will get better before Ritza goes and Ritza, that way, will also not miss the chance of hooking up with Hatori. He hoped.