Authors Notes- O.o Am I really speeding this along? A reviewer told me that. I'm sorry if this fic seems fast paced. Theres alot that I want to focus on, and more often than not, not enough time to fit it in. This chapter will go and deal with the rest of the family while Haru and Kazahaya are talking. What seems not like a lot of time, often lasts longer than most. This will be in third person, phone format like usual. The next chapter...well, that needs some ideas...
As Hatsuharu and Kazahaya walked away, the rest of the Sohma's were left with Sasame. Things were silent until Sasame's phone rang.
( This is Sasame. )
"Dad, where are you? Is Rirei with you? Theres a crowd of people wondering why the bar isn't open"
( Kouichi...somethings happened. )
"What is it Dad? Is everyone alright?"
( No. Rirei...she was in an accident. She's in surgery. )
"Oh god. I'll be down there as soon as I can."
Sasame hung up the phone. "That was my son. I guess you could say that he's Rireki's best friend."
The Sohma's looked amongst one another. Hatori chose to speak for them all.
"Mr. Aso, has anything strange happened while you've known her?"
"No, and please, call me Sasame."
"Odd...When your son gets here, we'll explain fully."
Sasame thought about asking what he meant, but chose not to. Somethings shouldn't be asked.
Three cups of coffee and two boxes of tissues later, Sasame's son arrived. He had to deal with the customers at the End of the World that were waiting for it to open. Now, if you were to stand Rin, Kouichi, and Sasame together, it would be like sea glass amongst the rocks at the beach. All appealing, but the rocks are at times rough. Kouichi and Sasame both looked alike. Tall, grey-black hair, with black eyes. However, Kouichi was shorter, and more willowy in comparison to his father.
Now, the large group were the only ones in the ICU waiting room, awaiting Rin's arrival to the ward. Once again, Hatori spoke.
"Kouichi. Have you ever hugged Rin?"
"Rin? Oh, is that Rirei's real name? Yes, I have. I even have a picture of us. See?"
And sure enough, there it was. Rin was laughing, as he held her from behind. Everyone was in shock. Hatori rubbed his eyes, as though his head hurt.
"We have something to show you. You must promise to never tell another soul, so long as the two of you live. Do you understand?"
The two men nodded.
Kagura walked up to Sasame. She was still crying. She whispered, "Thank you for taking care of her..." and hugged him. The familiar soft 'poof' and smoke appeared, and faded to reveal a small boar, with the same fur color as Kagura's hair, and the same eye color. It was sadly sniffling, sitting amongst her clothes.
Kouichi was a little shocked. Sasame wordlessly bent over, and picked up Kagura. He held her close.
"Our family carries a curse. As you just saw, when certain members are hugged by a member of the other gender, or if we get too weak, we transform into one of the twelve animals of the zodiac, as well as the cat. Isuzu, or Rireki, was born with this curse. Normally, if either of you were to hug her, she would turn into a horse. And yet, she didn't."
Kouichi was about to speak, until Kagura turned back to normal. The Aso's politely averted their eyes, until she was once again dressed.
"Perhaps, its because she was Rireki."
Everyone looked at Ritsu in shock. Normally, he rarely spoke in situations like this.
"Isuzu-san didn't know of her past. Perhaps, she lost the curse as well as her memories. So, if she remembers, the curse is probably back upon her. At least, I think. Oh! Please forgive my interuption! I am so very sorry!"
Somethings never change.
Kouichi smiled at Ritsu. "That was exactly what I was going to say, um...whats your names? I don't think I ever got them..."
Ritsu bowed, and began introducing every one.
"I am Ritsu Sohma. It is a pleasure to meet you. These are my cousins. Hatori, Shigure, Ayame, Kureno, Kagura, Yuki, Kyou, Momiji, Kisa, and Hiro Sohma. As well as Tohru Honda, and another of our cousins, Hatsuharu, who is speaking to Kazahaya."
They sat and talked about their professions, and things in general, to try to keep their minds off Rin.
Twelve pots of coffee, and five boxes of tissues were used by the time a doctor came to speak with them.
"Are you all here for Miss Sohma-Aso? I have both good and bad news, I'm afraid."
They all waited for him to continue.
"From the accident, Miss Sohma-Aso is lucky to be alive. However, should she survive the next few days, her life will be incredibly hard. Her thighs and pelvis were completely shattered, along with multiple breaks in her right arm, all her ribs broken, ruptured discs and dislocated left shoulder, body wide cuts and bruises, and a punctured lung. She will be paralysed. She won't be able to breathe on her own for the first few weeks. All of her other injuries should heal fine. Now, all you can do is pray. Tonight, I will only let five people in to see her. The rest of you can see her during visiting hours tomorrow."
It didn't take long to decide on who should see her. Kazahaya, Haru, Sasame, Kagura, and Hatori.