Chapter Twelve: The Ushida Problem

March 20

Hatsuharu lugged the heavy box down the steps of the apartment building. Down by the truck Kyo was busy along with Momiji in placing the boxes into the back of it. Haru placed the box down and stretched a little to straighten his back.

"I think you only have one box left up there Kyo" Haru replied as he picked the box up again.

"Great. Thanks for your help guys."

"Don't mention it Kyo" Momiji grinned handing him the last box that was on the ground, "Still can't believe that you and Tohru are moving into Kazuma's place though."

"I can't believe it either. But it's happening."

"A few more weeks and you get the dojo too" Haru added.

"Yep I know" Kyo nodded, "Master's working on the paperwork as we speak."

"By the way" Momiji replied, "Where is Tohru today?"

"The damn rat took her out" Kyo answered, "You know how Tohru is? She'll try to help out but she can't in her condition."

"Oh yea" Haru nodded with a smile, "She would be like that. But you guys will be having your twins soon."

"Yep. Just four more months to go."

"They're going to be here in July right?" Momiji asked.

"Yep. July sixteenth through the twentieth, Hatori said. More than likely they'll be here on the sixteenth."

"Haru you guys are still getting married at the end of July aren't you?" Momiji said.

"Yep" Haru nodded again with a grin, "July 24th. So it will be just a week after you have had the babies. I hope that's still all right?" he added a bit worried.

"Don't worry about it" Kyo reassured him, "We'll be there. Hatori assured me that having two babies is no different then having one."

"Well let's hope he's right" Haru replied.

"Go get the last box Momiji" Kyo directed, "So we can get this stuff to the new house."

"Aye aye sir!" Momiji saluted making Kyo shake his head in disbelief.

Haru just chuckled as he and Kyo finished up stacking the remaining boxes into the back of the truck.

(Next Scene)

Meanwhile in another part of town Yuki and Tohru were sitting down at a restaurant having lunch together. Yuki was a bit distracted however and Tohru kept glancing at him over her menu.

"Is everything okay Yuki?" she asked him.

"Hmm?" he looked her way, "Oh yes. Everything is fine Tohru" he nodded with a smile.

"Are you sure? You seem awfully disturbed about something."

"Yea I'm sure. I guess my mind is just preoccupied with some things."

"Well maybe I can help?" she offered.

"Um well" he thought back to a few weeks ago when Kagura had called him once more, "Please Yuki" she had insisted, "Please promise me that you won't tell anyone that you saw me."

"But I" he had started to say.

"Promise me" she had insisted.

"All right" he gave in, "I won't tell anyone" he had said.

Yuki sighed and folded his hands together on top of the table. "Actually. I really can't tell you."

"Okay" Tohru nodded, "I understand. But if you need any help, I'm always here for you, you know."

"I know" he nodded with a grateful smile, "Thanks. Shall we order?"

"Mhm. Thanks for taking me out today."

"Your welcome. Seems like the best thing to do since the others are moving all your stuff today."

"Yea. I believe that we're moving into such a nice house. It's the house that Kyo grew up in. Isn't that amazing?"

"Yes" he agreed as the waiter came over to take their order.

About a half hour later the two of them were sipping their tea quietly when Yuki cleared his throat.

"Um Tohru" he replied.

"Yes Yuki?"

"I've been thinking about this all through lunch. And as much as I have tried to make sense of it I can't."

"What is it?"

"Well if I tell you, you have to keep it a secret. Even from Kyo."

"A secret? This sounds serious."

"It is. So can you keep it? I know you are usually good at keeping secrets but you have to keep even this one from Kyo this time. Can you do that?"

"Uh. I don't know Yuki" she replied a bit hesitantly, "Kyo and I don't like to keep secrets from each other."

"It will only be for a little while. Until I can figure a few things out."

"Well. All right" she said consenting, "I guess I can keep it for a little while. If it's bothering you that much. So what's on your mind?"

"Do you remember last month, when Kyo asked me if I had any luck finding Kagura?"

"Yes I remember. You told him that you had no luck. That you hit a dead end."

"Well the truth is, I did find her. That same day" he replied as Tohru's eyes became wide, "But she asked me not to tell anyone that I saw her."

"Is she okay?" Tohru said a bit worried.

"I don't really know. I would think not. She was definitely acting a bit to cautious for my liking. And there are other things."

"Other things?"

"She's married. And has a little boy."

"She's a mother and a wife. How come we didn't know about this?" Tohru replied stunned.

"I don't know" Yuki shook his head, "What I do know is, she's very terrified of her husband. And it seems to me that he's not very kind towards her. But the thing that disturbed me the most, was the fact that he knew about the Zodiac curse. Every single one of us members of the former Zodiac has introduced our significant other to Akito by now. But Kagura didn't. She had the baby just last December."

"Oh poor Kagura. What do you think happened to her Yuki?" Tohru said sadly.

"I don't know," he repeated, "But I am worried about her. Very worried. Something just doesn't feel right about this whole thing. It's very suspicious and weird in way."

"I know what you mean. It's not like Kagura at all to be this way. Subservient to a man?In the old days she would just."

"Beat them up" Yuki finished, "Yea I know. That's what has got me really concerned."

"And she really doesn't want to see anybody? No one at all? Not even her mother?"

"No" Yuki shook his head, "She doesn't want anyone to know."

"Where is she Yuki?"

"What?" Yuki looked at Tohru confused.

"Will you take me to her? I promise I won't reveal that you told me. But I have a feeling that I should see her right now."

"You know what" Yuki nodded, "That might be a good idea. Okay. I'll take you to her" he stood up from the table after placing the yen down for their check, "You may be the one person" he took Tohru's arm, "That she'll confide into" they walked out of the restaurant as Tohru nodded fervently.

(Next Scene)

Yuki led Tohru to the apartment building that he had been in a month before. He stopped in front of the building and then took her hand leading her up the stairs. They rode the elevator to the top floor and then he stopped in front of apartment number twelve.

"This is it" he replied letting go of her hand, "I'll be down the hall waiting for you to come out."

She nodded.

"What are you going to tell her?"

"Don't worry" Tohru replied, "I'll think of something" she smiled as he nodded slowly and then disappeared down the hall.

Tohru took a deep breath and then knocked on the door. A couple of moments later Kagura appeared quite stunned to see her.

"Tohru?"

"I thought that was you" Tohru grinned, "I saw you today when I was out."

"You did?" Kagura replied, "Oh. Well come on in" she opened the door and Tohru bowed her head in appreciation, following her inside.

"Well" Yuki thought as he watched from the corner, "So far so good."

Kagura took a few moments to give Tohru the tour and then she showed her the baby. Tohru smiled down at him and patted his head.

"Aw he's so cute Kagura" Tohru said, "And look at those little blond locks. He must get that from his father."

"Yes" Kagura nodded, "Actually he does. Tohru you look different" she replied indicating her size.

Tohru giggled and nodded patting onto her tummy. "Yep. I only have four months to go. Kyo and I are having twins."

"Oh" Kagura almost cried, "Well congratulations. When are they due?"

"July. Hatori's taking care of everything."

"That's good."

"You sure have a lovely home" Tohru commented gazing out the window, "Kyo's at Master Kazuma's house moving our stuff in. He gave us the house and Kyo will be inheriting the dojo really soon."

"Really. Even more good news" Kagura sank sadly to the couch and the tears started to flow.

"Kagura" Tohru knelt down, "What's wrong?"

"Oh Tohru" she cried, "Everything is just so messed up. I am so lonely in this place."

"Why don't you go home?"

"I can't" Kagura said but caught herself, "I mean I have my reasons. I can't leave Jinto and the baby you know."

"You wouldn't have to leave them. You can take them with you."

"No. We're better off here" Kagura shook her head, "This is home after all."

"Oh. Okay. Then maybe it's because you are a new mother. I hear that it's real stressful the firstfew months."

"Yea it is. But Yamato is a wonderful baby. When he is not sick that is."

"Sick?"

"Oh forget it. You know what Tohru it was great seeing you again. But you should be hurrying on home" she stood up, "And I have to get dinner ready."

"You're right" Tohru nodded as they walked to the door, "Kyo will be wondering where I am. Listen" she replied as Kagura opened the door, "Anytime you want you can stop by the house. You, your husband and your baby. Maybe we can have dinner or something."

"Thanks" Kagura nodded gratefully, "I'll talk to Jinto about it" she added.

"Okay" Tohru embraced her tightly, "I'll see you later."

"Bye Tohru" Kagura said sadly as she closed the door.

Tohru frowned sadly herself as Yuki came from around the corner.

"Well?" he asked.

"She's definitely unhappy" Tohru nodded as they walked to the elevators, "She broke down crying while I was in there."

"I knew it. I knew this guy wasn't treating her well. The question is, why is she letting him?"

"I don't know Yuki. But for now, I think we should just do as she asks. We should leave her alone."

"If it gets worse" Yuki said agreeing, "Then I will change my mind."

"I agree" Tohru replied as they got off the elevator, "Then we will have to find a way to help her. Any way we can."

When Tohru arrived home she found that Kyo, Momiji, and Hatsuharu had put the entire house together the whole afternoon.

"I can't believe you got all of this done in one day," she said in surprise and with a huge smile on her face.

"Well I knew that, that would be the only way to stop you from helping in any way possible otherwise" Kyo grinned mischievously.

"Oh Kyo."

(Next Scene)

April 10

Kyo signed the sheet with his signature and the man leaned forward to shake his hand.

"Congratulations Mr. Sohma" he replied as Kazuma looked on with a smile, "You've got yourself a dojo."

Kyo smiled back.

Later on Kunimitsu packed up the car with the last of Kazuma's luggage. Inside of the house Kyo placed the deed of the dojo on a nearby table and walked over to Tohru and Kazuma who was hugging her goodbye.

"Goodbye Tohru. I hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well and I will be sure to come back up on the day that they arrive."

"Thank you Master Kazuma" she nodded, "Have a safe trip."

"I will" he nodded as Kyo opened the door for him and offered to walk him out.

They walked over to the car where Kyo noticed that Kunimitsu was in the driver's seat.

"He's taking you down?" Kyo asked.

"Yes" Kazuma nodded again, "But don't worry he'll be back up later. He said he wants to do everything he can to help you keep the dojo running."

"That's awful nice of him."

"Well" Kazuma gazed at the house with a far off look in his eye and reaching in to the pocket of his kimono, "Here you go. You're gonna need these."

Kyo smiled at the object in his hand. "The keys to the dojo. I would know these anywhere."

"I know. And listen if you have any more trouble with that Ushida fellow, I'll do what I can to help."

"That's okay" Kyo shook his head, "I've got a lot of people in the family who are on my side anyway. I'll be all right."

"Okay. Well you take care of your wife and family Kyo."

"I will. Master."

Kazuma turned to the car but noticed a punch coming his way and blocked it expertly just like he always did in the past. Then he placed his hand on top of Kyo's outstretched fist and patted it gently.

"You never change do you?" he laughed.

"Would you want me to?" Kyo laughed along with him.

"No" Kazuma shook his head, "You wouldn't be my son otherwise. Good luck Kyo" he held out his hand but felt Kyo embrace him instead.

"Good bye Master" Kyo said slowly and then pulled away, "You know that you will always be welcome in our home. No matter what."

"I know" Kazuma nodded, "Good bye Kyo" he said as he climbed into the front seat.

Kyo watched as the car departed and felt the wind move through his hair as he sighed contently and walked back inside.

(Next Scene)

May 15

Yuki leafed through the papers on his desk briskly as Kyo sat nearby at his desk, monitoring the phones. It was still the off-season for the dojo and they were busy trying to gather all the information of students before the dojo officially opened up in the next week. Another problem was how many students were actually returning to the dojo. So far all the younger students had remained quite loyal to the old dojo, but many of the older ones had transferred to the Diamond Dojo, which was opening in one more week. The same week in fact, muck to Kyo's annoyance as they were reopening theirs. While they were sitting at their desks, the phone rang on Yuki's and he picked it up.

"Hello Yuki Sohma. How may I help you?" he replied but then suddenly frowned, "Yes I am here too. Well I know I can speak for my cousin as well as myself Mr. Ushida and the answer is no."

Kyo walked over and asked Yuki for the phone which he reluctantly handed over. "What do you want?"

"I understand that the little place is under new management Sohma" Tai said quite snidely, "Is that true?"

"Yes it's true" Kyo spat, "I am the new owner of this place. What's it to you?"

"Well I know what a burden it must be having to take on a business when it is in such poor condition. I tell you what; I am going to make things better for you. You sell it to me and I will pay you a very hefty sum."

"No deal."

"Come on Sohma. I am offering you the chance of a lifetime here."

"I don't care. I said no deal. The dojo is not for sale. Do you hear me? And if you want it so damn badly you'll have to take it over my dead body" Kyo slammed the phone down.

Yuki stared at Kyo as he once more stalked over to his desk and sat down with a huff. He saw Yuki's stare and glared angrily at him.

"What?"

"Nothing. I'm just surprised at how calm you were on the phone with him. Usually you just blow your top."

"Yea well. I have more important things to worry about then that bastard anyway" Kyo shrugged, "Listen I am going to check on a few more things. Will you take care of answering the phones?"

"Sure" Yuki nodded as Kyo departed the room, "And so it begins" he sighed, "That place isn't even open yet and it's already causing trouble."

The next week the Diamond Dojo opened it's doors and Tai Ushida stood on the balcony of his fancy apartment grinning quite proud of himself.

"It's only a matter of time," he told himself, "Sohma."

(Next Scene)

June 5

Tohru, Uo, and Hana came back that day exhausted and happy at their accomplishments. Per Kyo's idea, they had gone into town to purchase the things they needed for the baby's room.

"Wow" Tohru said as Hana and Uo brought in the last of the bags, "I can't believe how much we got done today. We even put in the order for the bigger stuff."

"Yep" Uo nodded with a grin as she flopped onto the couch, "The cribs and furniture should all be here just in time the guy at the store said."

"Would you guys like any tea?" Tohru asked.

"Yes" Hana nodded, "But I will get it Tohru. You need to sit down now."

"But Hana I really don't mind doing it" Tohru protested.

"She's right Tohru" Uo replied taking her hand and leading her to the chair gently, "You only have one more month left to go. It's better not to push it. Besides I told Orange top that I wouldn't allow you to do anything strenuous."

"Oh Uo" Tohru said, "All right. I guess I'll listen to you. But I feel so worthless not being able to help."

"Don't worry about it Tohru. After the twins are born you will have all the time in the world to do what you want to do. Heck you will have two little people who will depend on you greatly."

"That's true" Tohru agreed.

"Good. Now I need to run to the bathroom so I will be right back" Uo said as she left and walked down the hall.

"Okay" Tohru nodded as the cordless phone next to her rang and she picked it up, "Hello Sohma residence."

"Hello. Mrs. Sohma" the deep voice came over the receiver.

"Yes. How can I help you?"

"I just wanted to let you know Mrs. Sohma that your package will be arriving tomorrow."

"Package? Oh you mean the cribs and stuff?"

"No."

Tohru's eyes suddenly became wide. "Who is this?"

"Good day Mrs. Sohma. Oh and congratulations for the birth of your own little angels" the person hung up the phone.

"What? Hello? Hello?" she said a bit terrified as Uo and Hana came back into the room.

"Hey Tohru" Uo replied but then frowned when she saw her face, "Why are you so pale?"

"I'm home!" Kyo called as he and Yuki walked through the door, "Tohru!"

"In here Orange Top!" Uo yelled back.

He came into the sitting room and smiled when he saw all the bags. "What did you do? Buy out the whole store?" he joked but then saw the seriousness on the two girl's faces, and the fear in Tohru's eyes, "What's going on?"

A couple of hours later Kyo was on the phone talking to the operator trying to get a hold of the mysterious caller's number. Yuki stood nearby as Hana and Uo sat near Tohru who was still quite scared.

"And he didn't leave his name or nothing Tohru?" Yuki asked.

"No. Nothing" she shook her head, "All he said was something about a package being delivered tomorrow."

"Well" Kyo said angrily as he came over, "Can't get a trace on that call. Which means it wasn't a landline or a pay phone that he called on, but a cell phone."

"Cell phone?" Uo replied.

"Yea. Personally I think that Ushida has something to do with this. His messages are always cryptic. Tohru honey did it sound like Ushida?"

"No" Tohru shook her head, "His voice was different. I have never heard this man's voice before."

"Don't worry Tohru" Hana said patting her shoulder, "Let's go into the kitchen and get yousomething to steady your nerves."

"Okay" Tohru agreed as she and Uo led her to the kitchen leaving the two men alone.

Kyo sat down in the chair and placed his hands on his chin in deep thought. "If it wasn't Ushida then it must be someone who works for him," he said aloud, "Maybe it was that guy who was following me?"

"What guy?" Yuki asked.

"About the time that Tohru first found out about the babies, I was followed from the apartment to the dojo, and back again. When I went home I took a different route and somehow lost him in the city."

"Was it the same black car that used to be parked outside your apartment?"

"No" Kyo shook his head, "But it was a black car. In any event, Tohru can't stay home alone tomorrow waiting for that package to arrive, if it does that is."

"I agree" Yuki nodded, "I'll stay with her. I'm done with most of the work with the dojo this week. I'll find out who the mysterious caller was."

"Good. And if you have any trouble I want you to inform me right away."

(Next Scene)

The next day Tohru and Yuki sat patiently waiting for the package to arrive. As they sat in the sitting room, Yuki fidgeted a little as Tohru tried knitting some booties for the babies.

"Did he give you any specific time?" Yuki asked nervously.

"Mnm" Tohru shook her head but felt her heart jump in her chest as she heard the doorbell ring; "I'd better go get that" she stood up slowly.

"Okay" he nodded, "I'll be right near by."

She nodded back and went to answer the door. When she opened it, a tall man with sunglasses greeted her. She didn't know it at the time but she was staring directly in the face of Ichirou Nakagami.

"Mrs. Sohma" he replied.

"Yes?"

"Your package" he handed her the large white box, "From my employer" he added.

"But. Who is your employer?" she asked.

"There's a card in there" he replied as he turned, "It should tell you everything you need to know. Good day" he bowed his head and departed for his black sports car that was parked nearby.

Tohru watched as the car left and then walked slowly inside. Yuki came out of the sitting room and took the box from her. Even though it wasn't very heavy, he didn't feel like she should be handling it. They walked it back into the sitting room and then Yuki broke it open. His eyes became wide as he saw what was in the package.

"Huh? Stuffed animals?" he said as he saw the two orange dolls that were in the center of the box.

"Cat dolls?" Tohru replied, but then cringed back slightly.

The dolls suddenly began morphing into hideous looking monsters right before her very eyes. She closed her eyes and looked away while Yuki found the switch on the back of one and shut them off.

"What kind of? I don't," he stammered as Tohru read the card out loud.

"To the children of the Cat of the Zodiac" she read, "Here is your future. Sincerely Tai Ushida" she said slowly as Yuki frowned and held onto her tightly as she shook all over.

"I think you have seen enough" he replied gently, "Why don't you go into your room and go lie down. I'll take care of this."

"Okay" she nodded standing up slowly, "Maybe I'd better" she walked down the hall towards the bedroom as Yuki spotted another object in the box.

One long stemmed rose was attached to the bottom of the box along with another note. Yuki glanced at it briefly and then stood up to grab the phone.

"Kyo it's me. You need to come home right away. Yes the package arrived. But come home. You won't believe this unless you see it for yourself."

When Kyo arrived he saw what Yuki was talking about. In the same exact way the cat dolls morphed into monster dolls. Then Yuki handed Kyo the note and he crumpled it into his hand.

"Cute. Real cute" Kyo spat, "I'll give him points for imagination."

"There's something else," Yuki said handing him the rose, "This was at the bottom of the box. Tohru doesn't know anything about it."

Kyo took the rose and read the card once to himself and then out loud withan angry glare. "My condolences."

He ran into the kitchen and turned on the garbage disposal shoving the rose down it quickly. "Well this is what I think of your little notes Mr. Ushida!" he shouted as the rose was crushed in the disposal.

"Feel better?" Yuki asked as he leaned against the doorpost his arms crossed.

"No."

"What are you going to do about the package?"

"I'm sending it right back to him. In fact if you don't mind. Wrap it up and you take it over there."

"You're actually going to take the high road and not do anything?" Yuki said surprised.

"He's not worth it" Kyo replied, "By the way. Who delivered it? Did you see?"

"No. But I did see the car out the window."

"And?"

"Black sports car."

"The same car that followed me" Kyo thought, "Okay you handle the package. I am going to see Tohru" he exited from the kitchen, as did Yuki.

Yuki walked the package down the street until he came to the gates of the Diamond dojo. Then he chucked it over the fence with one quick throw. He stared angrily at the gate and then left as quickly as possible back down the road.

An hour later Tai and Ichirou found the package at the gates and Ichirou examined it.

"It appears that they didn't like your gift" he replied.

"Yes" Tai nodded, "Very interesting that Sohma didn't take a more violent approach though."

"I'm curious about something Tai" Ichirou replied, "What exactly are you up to? How is this going to help your plan?"

"Day by day I will make it even more difficult for Sohma to stay in business. Soon he'll lose everything. His livelihood. The house he lives in. And then Tohru will have no choice but to turn to someone to help her. That's the first part of my plan"

"But won't she just turn to the rest of the Sohma family?"

"No. That's the second part of my plan."

"Second?"

"Yes. The Sohma's and Tohru know only so far about the Zodiac curse. They don't know the impact that Hayoto Ushida made with it. Even Aya Sohma was fooled by him. Trust me. When the curse returns not even Love will be able to cure it."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Okay guys! One more chapter tonight! See you later!

Next Chapter: New Mom and Dad

The Twins are finally here!