Part Two:

Tai paused in his story while he got Ichirou and Riku both a drink from the bar. As he handed it over to Riku, his friend eyed him curiously.

"But I still don't see how this actor fits into your plan?" Riku replied as Tai handed Ichirou his drink and then sat back down, "What did you need him for?"

"For two things. One I needed to get back at Kagura Sohma and two I neededan exceptional actor to pull off the part of the unsuspecting deliverer of the Zodiac curse. Now as you recall Tohru was able to solve the curse temporarily so I needed to find a way to bring it back and I couldn't think of anyone better" Tai grinned menacingly as he spoke, " Then one of their own to bring back the terrible tragedy that befell their family years ago. Like I said I gave Jinto my card," he said as he leaned back onto the couch making the leather move slightly, "He met me that afternoon and we discussed his future with me."

(Flashback)

Tai Ushida waited patiently in the small restaurant. The waiter brought over a bottle of wine just as Jinto Tikeda arrived a bit flustered but very eager to see that Tai was waiting for him and that it all hadn't been a joke.

"Please Mr. Tikeda" Tai smiled as he arrived, "Sit down."

"Thank you" Jinto nodded obeying and then staring at his hands a little.

"Would you like some wine?" Tai asked politely as he looked up at the waiter who held the bottle ready to pour.

"Oh please" Jinto nodded again and then the waiter poured them each a glass before departing the table to come back for their orders later as Tai had previously instructed him to do.

"I suppose you're wondering what sort of job I could possibly have for you aren't you Mr. Tikeda?"

"Well yes. Because like I said before I know that you are a businessman."

"Indeed I am and I do intend for our relationship to be professional as well. I could have easily hired an actor of higher standing then you but I like your style and I believe that you will benefit me better than any high paid actor."

"Well thank you. But what would you have me do?"

"Before I tell you what duties that you will be performing for me" Tai said leaning closer in the cozy corner that they were sitting in, "I have to tell you something that might be hard for you to believe at first. But you must listen to every detail that I describe and swear to secrecy right now, that you will never tell a single soul what you are about to hear. Do I have your word on that Mr. Tikeda?"

"Yes" Jinto nodded his head fervently, "I promise you I won't say a word."

"Good" Tai smiled, "It's very important that this is kept between just us. Which is why I chose a setting such as this. It's avery private placeand no one can eavesdrop."

"I understand."

Tai began to tell Jinto every detail to do with the Zodiac curse. About all the Sohma's he had met and how his family was involved. When he was finished Jinto looked at him with a quizzical expression.

"It's hard to believe I know" Tai concluded, "But it is all true. Every last detail."

"Wouldn't someone have noticed that these people are around with the transformations?"

"Believe me many people have found out about it, but the Sohma's are very how to do we say it? Resourceful. They get out of almost every jam when it comes to the Zodiac curse. And now we come to your part. At this moment the Sohma's believe that the curse is no more. Don't ask me how I know that's my business, but I as an Ushida cannot allow such a thing. Fortunately for me I have a way to bring it back and that's where you come in."

"Me? How do I fit in?"

"It's really quite simple. There is a student in your school named Kagura Sohma. She is related to them and used to be a former member of the Zodiac. It's by this means that we will bring it back."

"I am still a little bit confused Mr. Ushida" Jinto replied, "What exactly do you want me to do?"

"As it is my understanding, Kagura is quite the popular girl at your school" he reached into his top breast pocket and pulled out a photograph, "Many boys are interested in her" he handed him the photo.

"And I can see why" Jinto smiled slightly when he saw her figure in the picture, "She's cute."

"I want you to eliminate all the competition and find a way to find a way to become her steady guy. So much so that she won't be able to resist you."

"That shouldn't be too hard" Jinto smiled at the prospect.

"But there is more to it then that. A wedding will be occurring later this year, Kagura will probably attend it, but that must be the last function that she will attend for you will be completely taking all of her attention. All she will know is you. From what I saw on the stage you can be rather tough but gentle and that's what I need. Eventually you will propose to her and marry her."

"Marry her? For real?" Jinto said a bit shocked.

"What's wrong is she not pretty enough for you? Do you think you can find a better looking girl to get married to?"

"It's not that but how do you know she will marry me?"

"She won't be able to resist you" Tai replied, "Trust me you turn on the charm and she'll fall for you. Once the two of you are engagedthen you will drop the charm, then I will give you your next set of instructions."

Jinto looked at the photograph a little longer still unsure about his decision. Tai could tell so he pulled out his pad of paper and scribbled something quick on it.

"I'm prepared to offer you the amount on top to start" Tai said handing the slip to him, "And to pay you the amount on the bottom every week for you to do this."

"That much?" Jinto gasped, "For almost doing nothing? And for getting such nice gifts as a bride to be and quite a payment."

"Yes" Tai nodded, "I figured you'd think so. This cell phone" he handed it to Jinto who took it from himgently, "Is the way we will keep in contact. When you first meet Kagura I want you to take it slow but then make it a little faster and definitely eliminate all the competition."

"That's not a problem" Jinto smiled, "I can handle those boys easily. You wrote on the back of the picture that she tends to get kind of violent if she is provoked or angry."

"Is that a problem?"

"No" Jinto shook his head and smiling even more, "I like a challenge."

"Good. Because this is the most challenging role that you will ever, ever play. And it must go off without a hitch. No mistakes. Like I said date her casually and then speed it up. The night you propose to her I want you to call me at the number that is already on your phone and I will give your next set of instructions. There are also additional benefits to this deal."

"Such as?"

"An apartment already furnished for you and a car youcan use."

"Not a bad deal."

"The apartment is located in a remote place in town. Hard to find. Because once you have married her I want you to make it as difficult as possible for her family to find her."

"Not a problem" Jinto nodded.

"So we are in agreement?"

"Mr. Ushida" Jinto held out his hand and Tai shook it, "You have got yourself a deal."

"Wonderful" Tai grinned, "Now we can order our food," he snapped his fingers and the waiter came back to take their order.

(Back)

(Next Scene)

"It was another five months before I heard from him again" Tai replied, "He works fast."

"What happened after that?" Riku asked laying a pillow on his armrest and putting his left arm on it.

"He called me as instructed and then I gave him his next bit of instructions."

"Which were?"

"To completely change his personality but subtly. During their short engagement he started to change for the worse. Became more demanding and possessive. After they were married which wasn't long he became even worse."

"What was the point of that?"

"He had to have complete control over her of course. I gave him permission at this point to reveal that he knew about the Zodiac curse and would cause trouble for her family if she didn't cooperate. Who would have thought she was such a softie for her family? But the time was right. Tohru and Kyo had been married for quite a while at that point and I needed my plan to head in the direction of bringing the Zodiac curse back. So I called Jinto up and told him to take the next step. He seduced that girl, forced himself on her, I couldn't have planned it better myself. She ended up pregnant as I had expected."

"You wanted her pregnant?"

"Of course but it was a complete surprise to me that their child ended up being so ill. And then it dawned on me how much more perfect my scheme was turning then I had expected" Tai grinned, "Their child had been born the new Head of the Zodiac which meant someday he would have to take control over the lives of the children of the people my family have despised for generations. It was the perfect revenge. And now you know. Jinto was my trump card for part two. Since that day he has preparing to make way for the new members of the Zodiac. And now most of them have arrived. I just have to wait a little bit longer till they've all been born. But in the meantime phase three of my plan will begin in the next week or so."

"Which is what?" Riku asked a bit shocked by all the terrible things that his best friend had done the past five years.

"I am going to have Tohru at all costs" Tai said seriously, "I don't care about the consequences. Soon they will have to return to Tokyo and that is when I will strike."

(Next Scene)

Tohru and Katsuya left Yuki's house some time that afternoon, Tohru saying she needed to get dinner started. As Yuki closed the door he walked over into the living room where his daughter Takara was lying peacefully in her bassinet asleep. He smiled as he brushed his hand gently over her head and then sighed as he walked back into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He poured over the details that Tohru and he had gone over for hours that afternoon and then picked up the phone that was sitting on the table and dialed a number quickly.

"Haru it's Yuki" he replied, "Look I know that you're in the area, I was wondering if we could talk. In about an hour. Yea. Okay. I'll see you then" he hung up the phone and then went into the bedroom to check up on Machi.

An hour later Hatsuharu and Yuki were sitting in his living room discussing the problem drinking some wine that Haru had brought over.

"You should have seen this guy Yuki" Haru shook his head after having taken a sip, "He was some character and I don't blame Kyo for losing his cool. Part of me wished that we didn't live up there, but we do."

"But what Tohru said about the symptoms we had, it makes sense but what doesn't is this Jinto guy. Where did he come from?"

"Who knows?" Haru shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe he's someone she met at school."

"Maybe" Yuki nodded, "But Tohru mentioned that he was very mean and that he didn't let Kagura get a word in edgewise."

"Well that ain't a lie" Haru said angrily, "He walked all over her. Kyo wanted to embrace her but that jerk got in the way."

"This just doesn't sound like the Kagura we know. I mean when I saw her last she was the same way. Like afraid that something bad was going to happen and when I met him he seemed very dominating."

"Dominating is a good word. That's exactly what he was like. What are you thinking?" Haru asked when he saw Yuki's expression of deep thought.

"This can't all be just a coincidence Haru. I got a bad feeling about this. I have a feeling that this is sounding a little to familiar."

"Familiar how?"

"I don't know" Yuki shook his head, "But I intend to get to the bottom of it."

(Till Next Time)

Authors Note: Hello everyone! It's so nice to see some of you guys back! I missed you guys! Hope you have enjoyed this book as much as the last. Got to go write the next chapter so keep reading and enjoy!

Next Chapter: Goodbye Machi

Yuki says goodbye to his beloved wife along with Tohru, Kakeru, and Mr. Kuragi.