Author Notes

Hello again. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of my little tale. I know I left a lot of things hanging but rest assured all will be revealed in time. A couple of quick things. First off PLEASE give me reviews, at least so I can know people are actually reading this little tale. Secondly a few clarifications. I had Hatori called Tohru rida-san. According to my Japanese phrase book, "rida" means leader. So it seemed like an appropriate thing for Hatori to call her. Secondly I am using the story from the manga, so Akito is the manga Akito and all that. I will NOT be mentioning the infamous "Chapter 97" spoiler, because it has no place in this story and because i have personal issues with it. I also want to thank Luna-Starr, my first reviewer:). I went ahead and made some layout and grammer changes to the first chapter, as well as removeing a piece of text that i had missed. It's nothing major, but it should make the first part more readable. I want to thank everyone who is reading this, and i do plan to try to do a new chapter every couple of days. I don't pla to makle this to long, maybe ten chapters or so. Anyway, many thanks again, and please review. :)

Chapter 2:

Back at the base, the group was enjoying a nice lunch at the quiet mess that was hastily setup, like most of the facilities that they used. It was only through the ingenious of the JDSF and the other Zodiac Army members that they had lasted as long as they had. The group ate for what must have been hurts,. simply talking, eating laughing, and remembering. Over the course of the meal, several other members of the Zodiac appeared at the base and wandered into the mess hall, much to Tohru's surprise and joy.

The first of these unexpected arrivals was Ritsu. He was tall and well build, with his long orange hair tied up in a long ponytail. Despite being close to 51 year sold, he still looked like he was in his 40's despite years of warfare. Reluctant to take sides when the family split first started to get violent, he was forced to decide when Akitos' forces struck the hot springs where his mother was hostess, killing her in the attack. This caused the shy young man to almost make a complete 180 degree turn around. He started volunteering for more and more dangerous missions into Akito's territory, and eventually earned a reputation as one of the fiercest fighters in the AOTZ.

The final Sohmas to arrive were Kiso and Hrio Shoma. Long married, the two made an excellent team when it came to leading soldiers on the battlefield. They also had a long standing personal vendetta against Akito. When they were old enough, they had decided they would get married. It was something both of them wanted and Tohru was more than happy to agree to it. She felt that it would help morale and give the AOTZ an image of what they were fighting for: freedom against Akito's tyranny. They had given birth to twins soon after that, a boy and a girl. Despite Tohru's please to find a safe place to live and take care of their children, the two felt obliged to help the family, especially after everything Tohru had done for them. So they continued to take part in the war, despite the risks. Unfortunately, tragedy struck. While on patrol with their unit, the couple learned that there had been an attack at their secluded Tokyo neighborhood. Afraid that Akito had learned where they were hiding, they left their unit and returned home. Sadly, it was too late. The twins were gone. Kisa became withdrawn for several months, even refusing to speak to anyone, even Hiro. Hiro had wanted to take a rifle and storm Akito's headquarters by himself, and the only person who was able to talk him out of it was Hatori. Tohru had tried to talk to him, but he refused to even listen to her. It was Hatori who finally managed to convince him that going to Akito would be paramount to suicide and that it would only hurt Kisa more. It took a little while but Hiro finally agreed with Hatori. It's been almost ten years since then. The couple continues to serve as Majors in the AOTZ. They have proven to be excellent tacticians and leaders, giving the AOTZ several surprise victories.

As the eating and talking began to wind down, Tohru asked everyone who was there to join her in a prayer for those who were not able to be there. They held hands and Tohru gave prayers to Ayame, whop had died to combat earlier that year. A prayer for Kagura, who had suffered a terrible heartache and had run off. No one had heard from her for over 25 years. A prayer was given to Tohru's mother, who Tohru always said waswatching over them and helping them. A prayer was given to Shigure, despite protest from most of the Sohmas, except Hatori, who remained silent. Tohru told the others that despite what he had done, Shigure had paid for his crimes during the skirmish outside Tokyo where he had been shot down, despite being well in the back of the army he was leading. Tohru said that she would pray for him, choosing to remember the Shigure who was a dear friend, not the desperate man who had made the decision he did. The others, feeling a bit ashamed by the way Tohru could forgive anyone, even someone as despicable as Shigure, agreed. Lastly the hardest prayer came. It was one that was still hard to do even 25 years later. It was the result of Shigure's crime and the cause of Kaguras disappearance. Silently, the Sohmas and Tohru gave prayers to their fallen comrades, friends and family, Yuki and Kyo Sohma. Tohru sighed and then smiled, feeling a bit better. She went from member to member, thanking them for everything they had done for her and for the cause, and then made her way to the control room, to prepare the launch. Hatori gave the rest of the family a queer little smile, as if to say something, and then followed her with the rest of them right behind.