Memories of the Cursed

Chapter 14:

"'Sup?" Haru asked as he and Yuki met Tohru and Kyo on the way. "Shut up," Kyo grunted, as he put his hands in his pockets, praying that his two cousins didn't hear his laughing. Somehow…it worked. "Come on, let's go," Yuki said, 'herding' Tohru and his cousins into the house through the back door. All four teens went in.

"Where were you? I called and told Kisa that we'd be there soon. She and Hiro told Kureno and Kureno told Akito, so Akito's expecting us," Hatori said quickly after seeing that the four teens were back. Tohru flinched after hearing an unknown name. Arisa looked up at the sound of 'Kureno'.

"Did you say Kureno—" Arisa started but was cut off. "There's no time! We have to go!" Hatori yelled, obviously frustrated. "We—" Yuki started but was cut off by Hatori. "Never mind. We have to hurry! Akito is expecting us. Uotani-san, Hanajima-san, please get in the car." He continued. Both girls nodded, finally being noticed by the four teens.

Kyo flinched a little. He had never heard Hatori like that. Haru cocked his head and saw that Momiji was behind Hatori and Shigure was nowhere to be seen. "Where's Shii-chan?" Haru asked.

"Probably in his study. SHIGURE! GET GOING OR YOU'LL HAVE TO STAY!" Hatori yelled, obviously stressed out, "honestly. I don't know what he does in there…" he muttered. Teasing his editor again, most likely…Yuki thought as he ran his hand through his hair. That hentai inu's probably making fun of his editor again. GOD! Kyo thought at the same time.

(--?--)

"Okay, bye Mitchan! Yes, yes, I have the docu—wait! It's gone! Anyways, I have to get going!" Shigure said, putting the phone with the screaming editor done with a click.

"SHIGURE! GET GOING OR YOU'LL HAVE TO STAY!" he heard Hatori yell. He quickly put on a coat and left the house.

(--?--)

"Here I am!" Shigure yelled, appearing out of nowhere. "Come on. Shigure, we have to go, now!" Hatori said, now pulling Shigure by the ear and dragging him into the car. "We should go, too," Yuki said as Tohru and Haru nodded. Kyo only grunted. The car was a family van. It was a black.

The four teens then went outside only stopping to turn off the lights. Once outside, they saw Momiji trying to get Shigure into the car. "Are you coming or not?" Momiji yelled gleefully, jumping up and down on the sidewalk, then jumped and landed on Shigure's back.

"I will if you get off me, Momitchi," Shigure answered. "Okay!" Momiji yelled and jumped onto the car seat. "Alright, I'll get in the front seat," Shigure answered and went up front. Everyone piled into the car without another word.

Yuki leaned his head towards the window, his left hand holding his head. Haru looked over at Yuki and remembered the walk back to the house.

(Flashback)

"Ah…Yuki…there you are…" Haru said. "Haru, what are you doing here?" Yuki asked as he pulled off his gloves. "I was sent to go and look for you, but somehow I ended here…a mystery…" Haru said, still standing.

"Sigh. Haru, you didn't get lost again, did you?" Yuki asked sternly, "Just say it. You got lost again," Haru only shrugged. "Come on, let's go," Yuki said as he grabbed Haru by the collar and dragged towards Shigure's house.

After a while of dragging and walking, Yuki stopped for a little breather. "Yuki…are you okay?" Haru asked, concerned. "I'm…fine," he panted as he rubbed his chest. "No, I meant the main house," Haru continued.

"Eh? I'll be fine," Yuki, answered, "sigh, you worry too much about other people, Haru," he stopped rubbing his chest. "Well…you know…" Haru said as he tugged his collar. "Well? Are you coming or not?" Yuki asked as he started walking towards Shigure's house.

"Yuki…" Haru began. "What is it, Haru?" Yuki asked with a sigh. "Are you sure?" "I'm fine. You're always worrying about other people…but…I'm not like that…"

"Yes, you are. If not, then, why did you follow me when I turned black that time and wrecked that classroom?" "Sigh. We should get going," "I'm gonna start to pester you, you know…about Honda-san," "We aren't talking about that…" "You should just call her Tohru, you know, even Tohru-kun works,"

Yuki only blushed. "I can't…" "Why—"

"Ha-ha-ha! Stop it! It-tickles! Ha-ha!" a voice cried out as Yuki and Haru reached Shigure's house. "Eh?" Yuki asked. Both he and Haru paused to listen.

"Ano, I called you a couple of times, but you couldn't hear me. Gomen!" They heard Tohru say frantically. "It's…ok…let's go, now," they heard Kyo.

"That baka neko…" Haru heard Yuki mutter. "'Sup?" Haru asked as Kyo and Tohru made her way down the ladder. "Hello Hatsuharu-san!" Tohru said. "Should we get going?" Yuki asked and he left into the house.

(End Flashback)

Yuki was still gazing out the window when Haru looked over at him. "This is boring, why do I have to come anyways? Akito hates my guts," Kyo muttered. No one, but Yuki, Haru and Arisa heard him.

"Shut up, baka neko," Yuki said quietly. There was a sudden tension in the air. "Why don't you?" Kyo shot back. "Make me," Yuki answered. Tohru looked nervously at the arguing pair.

"Ano…Sohma-kun, Kyo-kun…uh…let's play a game!" Tohru suggested. "How?" Kyo asked, forgetting about his argument with Yuki. "Uh…how about…guessing what I'm thinking, but you can only ask yes or no questions?" Tohru asked frantically.

"My, my, what a wonderful game. Wonderful mind, Tohru-kun! I'm now reliving the old memories of Haa-san, Aya and I! How sweet!" Shigure said, fanning himself. "Don't get started," Hatori warned.

"Um...okay, I got it!" Tohru said, "guess!" "Is it a person?" Yuki started. Tohru nodded. "Is it someone we know?" Arisa asked. Tohru nodded again. "Is it a person that is still alive?" Saki asked. Tohru shook her head this time. "Is it that kuso nezumi?" Kyo asked, obviously not listening, and without much a thought. Tohru shook her head again.

"Is it Kyon-kyon?" Shigure asked from the front seat, also not listening. (Of course, thinking perverted thoughts!) "Don't call me that!" Kyo burst but fell calm once more soon after. Tohru shook her head again. "Is it a female?" Arisa asked. Tohru nodded.

Okay, let's see…Yuki thought as he fingered his chin, person we all know, not alive, female… Things were starting to piece together. "Your okaasan?" Yuki asked. "Yay! Sohma-kun got it! Your turn then!" Tohru cheered happily. "Okay…let's see…" Yuki said, thinking for a while, "I got it. Go ahead."

"Is it a person?" Saki asked. Yuki shook his head. "Is it a living animal?" Arisa asked. Yuki shook his head again. "Is it a place?" Kyo asked surprisingly. Yuki shook his head. "Does it have anything to do with the Zodiac?" Haru joined. Hm…what an odd question…Saki thought, but she saw that Yuki had nodded.

"Ano…the curse?" Tohru asked. "No," Yuki said. "Ah! I know! It's the Zodiac story!" Haru said. Yuki nodded and now it was Haru's turn. They played for the rest of the ride to the main house.

Finally, the estate came into view. Hatori, who had been silent for the whole ride, stopped the van, got out, took a sleeping Momiji into his arms and closed the driver's door. The others followed…for it was time.