As they walked a soft breeze blew through Tohru's hair but she was still uneasy. It had been awhile since they had been to the place, but she also knew that even though it was their special place, it was also the one place where they told each other many secrets, and usually going there was not a good sign, and by the expression on his face as he walked beside her, she could tell that something was wrong. They walked amongst the trees in the back of Shigure's house until they finally came to the clearing and both stared at the remains of a once small but beautiful garden.
"Wow" Yuki breathed as he crouched down to look at it, "It's been so long since we have been here. I didn't think that anything would still be living but there is something comfortable about being here again."
"I know what you mean" Tohru smiled as she sat down on the grass beside him, since he was now also sitting, "Coming back here always brings good memories back to me too. You and I spent so much time at this garden Yuki. Taking care of it, and picking things when they were ready. I remember the first day the strawberries were ready."
"I do too," Yuki said with a twinkle in his eye and a bit of laughter in his voice as he smiled, "That was a hot day. And if I remember correctly Momiji and Haru came over that day also and Momiji ate most of the strawberries" he let out a chuckle.
"That he did" Tohru agreed with a nod and a laugh of her own.
"That was a good day" Yuki smiled but then suddenly frowned, " I wish that was the way it felt now" he replied as he wrapped his arms around his knees.
"Yuki" Tohru looked over at him and he turned, gazing directly in her eyes, "What's wrong? I can always tell when there is something on your mind. And you did bring me here to tell me something didn't you?"
"Yes I did" he nodded solemnly as the wind picked up slightly and his hair was blown back, "I suppose I should start at the beginning. Otherwise it will make no sense."
"Okay" she agreed with a nod of her own as he took a huge sigh and closed his eyes briefly.
"Well" he began, "It really started about three years ago. Machi and I had only been married for two years. But you remember it was a rushed wedding. We got married by the Justice of the Peace."
"Yea" Tohru nodded, "I remember."
"We always meant to have a real one you know, it just never happened. I mean we were married which is what we both wanted, but things have been kind of complicated."
"Complicated how?"
"Well you see three years ago, Machi started feeling sick. Now at first it didn't seem that it was anything serious. But then she had flu like symptoms for several months. One day when we were visiting her mother, which her mother actually adores me by the way" he added making Tohru smile, "She heard about how sick Machi had been recently and then she told us something that has changed my life since that moment."
"What?"
"She said that Machi was born with an illness that was incurable. She never told her or her father about it though. Kakeru doesn't even know about it. When she was a child the doctors said that she would more than likely not live for very long but her symptoms improved and she lived a lot longer than they thought so her mother assumed that she was okay. But she wasn't."
"Yuki."
"Yuki took a pause as the tears started to enter his eyes. "I took her straight to the doctors after we found out about that, and we had her tested and it turned out that the illness they thought was disappearing was actually there all along. For two years we had tried to have a baby, and now the doctor was recommending not to have one because of her illness, but Machi really wanted to be a mother so I gave in."
"And now?"
"Now" Yuki swallowed hard, "I'm losing her" the first tear fell from his eye and rolled down his cheek, "She's dying Tohru."
"What? How can that be?"
"She has a heart condition. A serious heart condition" Yuki told her as he continued to cry, "Having Takara didn't help that much but she is so happy to have her. She loves her to death. For the past two years Machi and I have been doing whatever we can to prolong her life, but we failed. The last tests we went to, today actually" he shook his head, "We weren't with her family. They don't know anything about it."
"Why not?"
"She told me not to tell them. Actually she made me promise not to tell anyone, which is why you are just finding out now. Her illness is also the reason I haven't been around lately. Anyway like I was saying the test today, indicated that she is not going to get better. She's gonna get worse. The doctor said that she maybe has only a month or two left to live and there is nothing they can do."
"Oh Yuki" Tohru felt her own tears run down her face, "What about Hatori? Couldn't he do something?"
"No" Yuki shook his head with a slight smile at her kindness, "I don't want to get anyone else involved. Machi and I decided at the doctor's office today that we want to simply let nature take it's course. In other words Machi is accepting the fact that she is dying and is going to take it" he clenched his fist as the tears were now flowing down his face, "A day at a time" he broke down, "With grace and no sorrow" he placed his face in his hands and began to sob and Tohru doing the only thing she could wrapped her arms around him.
He sobbed uncontrollably into her arms as she patted the back of his head.
"Yuki I am so so sorry. I don't know what I can do."
"Just hold me Tohru," he replied through loud sobs, "That's all I need right now. That's all I want. Someone to hold me. To support me. I've been supporting her all this time and I had no one to talk to about this."
"You have me Yuki" Tohru said softly, "You will always have me. You know that don't you?"
"Mhm" he nodded on her shoulder.
"Yuki I know that this doesn't help much, but my mom used to say something to me when we'd visit my father's grave. She say it every time just so I would understand."
"What is it?"
"She'd say life is full of meetings and partings. Unfortunately for us we don't get to decide when we part and we meet. That is decided by a higher power. What we should do instead of cursing our fate that we lose them is we should think of the blessing in our life of having them in it. Because life is short. Everyone will die eventually. We should treasure the moments that we have with them as long as they are alive. Hearing those words from my mom helped me get through her death. I remembered them, and even today I thank god that she told me that because I was able to let her go and able to move on knowing that I was truly blessed" Tohru cried, "To even have her in a small part of my life. And I know now she is watching over me from heaven. Me and my children. My family. She is an angel above me guiding me with her wisdom and her words of the past. My brother" Tohru said in his ear gently, "Machi will be the same for you and your baby. She will be watching both of you forever. But you must treasure the time you have left with her. Don't waste a moment. Love her for as long as you can. That's what is important now. That's the only thing you can do. I wish I could help you in other ways. Tell you that everything is going to be okay. But that would be lying. Everything will be okay in the future but for now. Now everything is going to be painful. I know. I know how it feels to lose someone you love that much. But I can assure you of one thing. You are not alone Yuki. You will never be alone. I will always be here if you need me. For any reason. Know that please. Next to Kyo and my children, you are the most important person in my life."
"Tohru" Yuki said softly and pulled away from her the last tear falling from his cheek and smiling, "Thank you. I needed to hear those words" he looked into her tearstained face, "You have never been anything but honest to me. And I thank you for that. I value our friendship so much. Thank you" he embraced her tight, "Thank you so much little sister."
"Your welcome" she nodded as she hugged him back, "Big brother."
(Next Scene)
Yuki and Tohru returned to the main house and he informed her that he and Machi were heading back to Kyoto early the next morning because of her illness. She agreed and walked back to the house to the rooms she and her family were staying in. She walked along the porch and noticed the moon still shining in the sky and sighed as someone's arms wrapped around her. Recognizing them at once she smiled as she placed her hand on her husband's arm.
"So where have you been?" he asked gently, "The party was over hours ago."
"I had to talk to Yuki" she replied softly, "We walked to the secret base."
"The secret base? By Shigure's house? Why there?"
Then Tohru began to tell him all that Yuki had told her. When she finished Kyo leaned his arm against one of the poles, his eyes wide and quite stunned.
"Man" he replied slowly, "I thought she looked kind of pale tonight. And during the party she kept leaving the room for something. He looked kind of down too. Now I know why."
"Yea" she nodded, "There is nothing they can do Kyo" she said slowly, "She maybe has only one or two months left to live."
"Damn" Kyo muttered, "That doesn't seem fair. I mean I know I don't like the damn rat that much, but I don't think he should be without her. Hasn't he been through enough pain? I mean his mother, Akito, his father dying. Now this. Now losing his wife when they just hada kid. That's not right. It's not fair."
"No it's not" Tohru agreed, "But Kyo. It is not our decision. If it is her time, there is nothing we can do except be there for him."
Kyo looked over at his wife as she turned once more back to the sky with sad eyes.
"I told Yuki that we would help him if we could, in any way he needs. He is going to need us down the line Kyo. I can feel it."
"Yea" Kyo nodded, "How are you feeling? This must have really upset you."
"I'm fine. I am going to go check on the twins."
"They're asleep right now" Kyo replied placing his right hand in his pocket.
"I know. I am just going to kiss them goodnight," she said smiling as she entered the room and headed for the twin's room.
Kyo smiled himself as he turned to the sky and sighed heavily.
"Completely unfair" he thought.
Tohru kissed Sakura lightly on the forehead as her daughter slept peacefully. Then she moved toward Katsuya and wrapped his blankets a little tighter around him. As she pulled away from kissing his forehead his eyes opened slightly as she stood up.
"Mama" he said loud enough for her to hear him.
"What are you still doing up?" she asked with a smile as she came back over.
"Waiting for you. You have been gone a long time. You weren't even at the party for very long."
"Kaye" she placed a hand on his hair and began stroking it gently, "Do you always know when your mother is not around?"
"Mhm. Always. I miss you when you are not there."
She laughed but he frowned.
"Is everything okay mama?" he asked sitting up slightly, "You don't look so happy."
"No" she replied, "Everything is not okay. But everything will be okay. You should go back to bed" she kissed him again, "It's late. You have a lot of playing time tomorrow. I hear you are going over to your Uncle Hatsuharu's to see Reiji again."
"Yea. Reiji is fun. Not like Akito and Kanako. They're just mean. But Sakura says that she can make them play."
"Your sister is very very determined."
"What does that mean?"
"It means she won't give up. She's a strong girl."
"I like that. She is strong girl. She always takes care of me. But aren't I supposed to be the one that is strong?"
"Says who?"
"I'm the boy. Isn't that my job?"
"No not necessarily" Tohru laughed, "But someday Kaye you will meet someone. A girl who is not your sister, you'll fall in love and then you'll have someone to protect:"
"Fall in love with a girl?" he grimaced his nose crinkling, "Yuck!"
"Oh. Trust me. You will. Someday. And she'll be lucky to have you."
"I don't think so" Kaye shook his head, "Unless she's like you mama. If she is someone like you then maybe I will like her."
"Maybe" Tohru nodded, "Now get some sleep. I'll see you in the morning."
"Okay" he nodded and wrapped his arms tightly around his mother startling her a bit but then she smiled embracing him back, "I love you so much mama."
"I love you too Kaye" she said holding back her tears for fear of crying too much in one day, "Goodnight" she kissed his cheek and he laid his head back down on the pillow, yawned, and closed his eyes as she slowly slid the door closed and walked back to her bedroom where Kyo was waiting for her.
(Next Scene)
The next day Sakura and Kaye were playing with Reiji in his front yard. Not to far off Aki and Kanako were sitting near the garden gate, Aki with a book he was reading. Kanako Sohma who was the daughter of Ritsu and Rebecca was quite like her cousin with the same distinct frown on her face. Her eyes were a dark blue and her hair was long and brown, pulled back in a ponytail. She really didn't resemble her parents in any shape or form. She was also quite tall for age which was the same as Aki, four. As the twins played tag with Reiji he stopped and frowned which made them stop and stare at him.
"What's the matter Reiji?" Kaye asked him walking over.
"Those two" he pointed, "They never smile. I hate it when they're here for New Years."
"Maybe I can get them to come and play" Sakura said with a smile.
"I don't think so. I've tried that" Reiji shook his head, "It doesn't work."
"Well I haven't" Sakura replied taking off.
"Hey Cherry!" Reiji called holding out his hand, "Wait!"
"Let her go" Kaye said with a grin, "Sakura is stubborn."
"Oh" Reiji replied slowly as they saw her arrive in front of the other two kids.
"Hi there!" Sakura grinned.
"What do you want?" Kanako frowned even more up at her while Aki looked up as well.
"I wanted to see if the two of you wanted to come play with us."
"Play what?"
"Tag of course. It's much more fun with more people. Come on ya wanna."
"No thanks" Aki shook his head, "That game is for kids."
"Huh? Aren't you kids? You guys are younger than we are."
"So what?" Aki retorted with another frown, "Just because that's what you guys like to do down in Kyoto doesn't mean that is what we like to do up here."
"Fine then. Don't play" Sakura said placing her hands on her hips, "What about you Kanako?" she asked her with a smile.
"Like he said no thanks. We kind of want to be alone. So go away."
"Fine!" Sakura frowned even more; "We didn't want you to play anyway" she stuck her tongue out and left them with a stomp of her foot.
"Immature" Aki said trying to act all grown up.
"Really" Kanako nodded.
"Well?" Reiji asked her as she came back over and crossed her arms.
"You're right. They are nothing but sourpusses."
"I told you so. They act like they are older than they are. You would think that they were five and we were four."
"Wow" Kaye placed his right hand behind his head, "That's weird."
"Did you ever notice anything strange about our family anyway?" Sakura said.
"What do you mean Sakura?" Kaye replied.
"Yea" Reiji nodded, "I have. For one thing every one of the kids in our family seems to be really smart. I know kids our age that don't know half of what I know. Nor do they talk as good as I do."
"Yea exactly" Sakura nodded, "Kaye and I could read by the time we were four and pretty good too. We could speak good too."
"Yea" Kaye replied, "All our neighbors noticed it. But they just thought we were, what was the word they used Sakura?" he said turning to his sisters.
"Geniuses" she said quite clearly.
"Geniuses?" Reiji replied.
"Mhm. That is the word they used which is really silly if you ask me. We're just smart. Like mama and daddy says."
"Maybe" Reiji nodded, "But what if, I mean what if there is another reason" he suddenly became silent, which made the twins look at each other for a brief moment.
"What do you mean?" Kaye asked with a little bit of fear in his voice.
"Ah never mind!" Reiji shrugged it off with a grin, "Let's just go play tag" he took off running, "Not it!"
"Not it!" Sakura added with a grin.
"I guess I'm it" Kaye said, "But Sakura before you go."
"What is it Kaye?"
"Do you think maybe he was talking about" he began a bit nervous.
"What?"
Oh forget it. Let's go" he tagged her arm; "You're it!" he laughed as he ran past.
"Kaye!" she shouted in protest, "That's not fair! I'm gonna get you!" she ran after him.
(Next Scene)
Meanwhile at the front gates a dark car pulled up and out jumped a six-year-old boy, a woman, and a man with dark glasses. He removed them and turned to the woman with a sly grin.
"Good to be home, huh honey?" he asked her.
"Yes" Kagura nodded a little bit wary and taking the hand of the six year old gently, "It is good to be home."
(Till Next Time)
Authors Note: Hey guys! I have been so bad. Writer's block. Anyway today and tomorrow you will get the remaining chapters I promise you!
Next Chapter: A New Head
Kagura has returned to the main house and with her are her husband and her six-year-old son Yamato. As the Sohma's meet them they will discover that in fact their well kept family secret has in factreturned. Find out what happens next time!